Artists and Industry from Manitoba Earn Western Canadian Music Awards

Posted on September 27, 2024

The envelopes have been opened and the winners revealed for the 2024 Western Canadian Music Awards! Artists and music companies from Manitoba picked up hardware in 10 categories that recognize those making a significant impact in Western Canada’s music scene and beyond. The artistic awards were announced in Saskatoon, which is hosting the annual BreakOut West event.

JUNO-winning singer/songwriter William Prince picked up Recording of the Year, his seventh career WCMA. Music legend Al Simmons earned Children’s Artist of the Year. Songer/songwriter FONTINE was named Indigenous Artist of the Year, her first WCMA. Psychedelic funk/rock outfit Apollo Suns won their third trophy for Instrumental Artist of the Year. Polaris Music Prize long-listed art rap act Super Duty Tough Work picked up Rap & Hip Hop Artist of the Year. Singer/songwriter Kris Ulrich won for Rock Artist of the Year. The Bros. Landreth’s Dave and Joey Landreth were co-writers on Alberta-based singer/songwriter Celeigh Cardinal’s win for Songwriter(s) of the Year.

This year's industry winners included double-winning music company Birthday Cake Records, which picked up the awards for Impact in Artist Development and Impact in Music Marketing, while Paquin Artist Agency won for Impact in Live Music. The industry award winners were revealed on September 28 at an awards brunch at the BOW host hotel.

At the close of the action-packed five days in Saskatoon, BreakOut West unveiled Winnipeg as the host city in 2025 for the annual event. Between September 24-28, the city will light up with some of the best in the west. Read more about the host city announcement

Now celebrating its 22nd year, BreakOut West ran September 25 - 29 in Saskatoon. This year’s event included the WCMAs, a music conference, three-night music discovery festival, and more special events.

Several acts from Manitoba made their way to Kelowna to hit the showcase stage at this year’s BreakOut West Festival, including Amos the Kid, Boogey the Beat, Brandi Vezina, Flora Luna, Fold Paper, HAVS, Kelly Bado, and Len Bowen.

Find out more about this year’s event at breakoutwest.ca.

2024 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS

Artistic Winners

Blues Artist of the Year – Blue Moon Marquee (BC)

BreakOut Artist of the Year (Sponsored By FACTOR) – Miesha and The Spanks (AB)

Children’s Artist of the Year – Al Simmons (MB)

Classical Artist or Ensemble of the Year – Allegra Chamber Orchestra (BC)

Classical Composer of the Year – Farshid Samandari - "Light of Lights" (BC)

Country Artist of the Year – Corb Lund (AB)

Electronic & Dance Artist of the Year – Ruby Singh (BC)

Francophone Artist of the Year – Missy D (BC)

Global Artist of the Year – Rooky Kamiz (SK)