Victoria to host BreakOut West as B.C. artists earn over 50 nominations Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, June 9, 2026 Victoria will once again take centre stage in Western Canada’s music industry this fall as Breakout West returns to the city for the first time in more than a decade, alongside the announcement of the 2026 Western Canadian Music Award nominees. The Western Canadian Music Alliance announced the nominees June 3, with British Columbia artists and industry professionals earning more than 50 nominations across artistic and industry categories.
Winners will be announced during Breakout West, scheduled for Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 in Victoria.
Among Greater Victoria connections is Garret T. Willie, who received a nomination for Indigenous Artist of the Year. The Kwakwaka’wakw singer-songwriter and guitarist has become one of B.C.’s rising rock and blues performers and has frequently appeared at Victoria-area events and venues.
Other B.C. nominees include Blue Moon Marquee and Northern Cree, Honeybear, The Band, The Harpoonist, Mitch Zorn, Five Alarm Funk, Olivia Barrett, Archspire, WHIPPED CREAM, CALICO and 54-40. Manitoba artists FONTINE, Leith Ross and William Prince lead this year’s nominations with three each.
Artists receiving two nominations include Alberta’s ARDN, Calling All Captains and Mariel Buckley, Saskatchewan’s Katie Tupper and Foxwarren, and B.C.-based acts Blue Moon Marquee & Northern Cree and Empanadas Ilegales. “Returning to Victoria, B.C. for the first time since 2015 really makes this year’s awards feel special,” BreakOut West executive director Michael Dawson said in a news release.
“So many of the nominees are really moving the needle here, at home and abroad.” Voting is now open to members of western provincial and territorial music industry associations and closes June 18. Now in its 24th year, BreakOut West combines a music conference, festival and awards program that showcases artists and industry professionals from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Organizers say more than 50 artists will perform during the Victoria festival.
