Manitoba Artists Return to the International Showcase Stage

Showcasing Acts Access Market Development Support through Manitoba Music Export and Market Access Fund

As live music returns to stages across the province and the world, artists are hitting the road for coveted and career-building international showcase spots in the US and Europe this spring. 

A stellar lineup of export-ready homegrown acts are set to perform at tastemaker industry events including New Colossus in New York City (March 9-13), SXSW in Austin (March 14-20), FOCUS Wales in Wrexham UK (May 5-7), The Great Escape in Brighton UK (May 11-14), and the hybrid Folk Alliance International in Kansas City (May 18-22). 

The genre-spanning roster of showcasers is a hard-working group of buzzworthy bands and artists who’ve been earning accolades, awards, and nods from international media, and expanding their teams to include labels, publishers, agents, and more. 

Making their way south and across the pond: hip hop artist Anthony OKS (FOCUS Wales), indie pop powerhouse Begonia (SXSW), indie-alternative project JayWood (SXSW, FOCUS Wales, The Great Escape), indie rock band Living Hour (New Colossus, SXSW), acoustic chamber folk artist Raine Hamilton (Folk Alliance International), jazzy hip hop collective Super Duty Tough Work (FOCUS Wales), punk outfit tunic (SXSW), and metal-hardcore band Vagina Witchcraft (FOCUS Wales). 

The acts have been able to access showcase support through Manitoba Music’s Market Access Fund and Manitoba Music Export program. 

Through participation at industry events like these, Manitoba Music is able to increase the connection between our province’s music industry and the broader national and international industry, which is vital to the career advancement of Manitoba artists and industry professionals and contributes to the growth and development of Manitoba’s economy. Manitoba Music Export is funded by FACTOR and the Government of Canada, and Manitoba Film & Music. The Market Access Fund is supported by Manitoba Film & Music.