Showcase Opportunity: Sound Waves Music Meeting (SWMM)
Press Release
November 4, 2025
We’re teaming up with our friends at Winterruption to present a local showcase opportunity alongside a new edition of Sound Waves Music Meeting (SWMM), Manitoba Music’s music industry conference!
SWMM will take place in Winnipeg from January 22-24, 2026, and feature a delegation of 10+ key music industry professionals from Canada, the US, and beyond.
The SWMM showcase, which is being presented as part of Winterruption 2026, is an opportunity to build business relationships with and showcase in front of our visiting delegates, local industry, and music fans.
To take full advantage of this opportunity, showcasing artists are expected to participate in SWMM conference programming, taking place at The Forks from 10 AM – 5 PM Thursday, Jan 22 – Saturday, Jan 24 (schedule and exact times and dates to be confirmed)
Selected artists will be offered a $150 honorarium for their performance.
This opportunity is open to all export-ready artists based in Manitoba and prioritizes gender diversity and the inclusion of Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, and 2SLGBTQIA+ voices.
To be considered for this opportunity, you must:
- Be a Manitoba Music member and a current resident of Manitoba
- Have recent professional career activity (e.g. recent or upcoming release: demo/EP/LP/single; tour, festival sets, industry showcases, media coverage)
- Be export-ready (able to take advantage of opportunities in Canada and internationally)
- Have at least one team member (manager, booking agent, label, publisher, publicist, radio promoter, etc)
- Be available to perform the evening of January 24, 25, or 26, 2026 in Winnipeg (showcase date will be confirmed when performance offers are sent out)
- Have a 15 minute set of primarily original music
- Participate in SWMM conference programming, January 22-24, 2025
- Have the financial capacity to undertake travel to and accommodations in Winnipeg (if you live outside of the city)
- Participate in the promotion of the showcase on social media
- Update your Manitoba Music profile with current music, links, promotional pictures, bio, etc.
Submissions will be evaluated by a selection committee of industry professionals based on:
- Quality of music, songwriting, composition
- Track record
- Export readiness
- Social media presence
- Rationale for the showcase
- Momentum, demonstrated in your bio and recent accomplishments in existing or other projects
Important Dates:
Application deadline: Tuesday, November 18 at 11:59 PM CDT
Notification date: Tuesday, December 9
Showcase date: Thursday, January 22; Friday, January 23; or Saturday, January 24
For more info or if you are having issues with the form or need accommodations throughout the application process, please reach out:
Andrea Davis
Manager, Export Programs
Manitoba Music
Treaty 1 Territory
andrea@manitobamusic.com
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