Showcase Applications open: The Great Escape 2027
Ontario @ The Great Escape 2027
May 12-15, 2027, Brighton, UK
MusicOntario is heading back to the UK for our 13th year at CIMA’s Canada House during The Great Escape (TGE) 2027 in Brighton, UK! As the third-largest recorded music market in the world after the US and Japan, the UK is a key destination for emerging talent — and The Great Escape is its premiere festival for discovering new music.
With 500 up-and-coming artists performing in over 30 walkable venues across Brighton, the city transforms into a global stage for fresh sounds. Each year, industry professionals from around the world flock to TGE to scout new talent and attend the conference, which runs alongside the showcases and features panels, keynote speeches, networking opportunities, and more. https://greatescapefestival.com/
Ontario artists who’ve graced the stage for our TGE showcase in the past include The Beaches, Billiane, Haviah Mighty, Aysanabee, STORRY, Arkells, Hannah Georgas, The Wooden Sky, and more.
MusicOntario is looking for submissions from export-ready, Ontario-based artists. Details to consider:
- You must be a resident Canada and based in Ontario.
- There is no fee to submit a Canada House showcasing application.
- Applicants will be assessed based on export-readiness, and final selection of the Canada House showcasing artists is ultimately approved by The Great Escape.
- Each artist must have a business representative, and we strongly suggest that you apply with the intention of having a business representative accompany you from a Ontario-based music company. Artists can act as their own representative if they are comfortable taking part in the business events.
- Fees: Canada House showcases are co-presented by the provincial music associations, partners, and funders. These showcasing costs will be incurred by the presenting partner. As such, there is no fee for this performance.
- We suggest you start exploring funding/grant opportunities ASAP if you hope to offset costs related to attending a business and showcase conference like Folk Alliance.
- Artists are responsible for their own travel expenses and visas, where applicable.
How to Apply:
- Fill out CIMA’s Canada House application form here. You must complete both The Great Escape’s application form and CIMA’s Canada House form in order to be considered for a play at Canada House during The Great Escape.
- Complete The Great Escape’s artist application form here. While applications are open until February, artists are encouraged to apply as early as possible, and by the end of November, if they are interested in a Canada House slot. This allows for adequate time for marketing, promotion, and to obtain funding.
- If you have additional information you would like MusicOntario to consider regarding your export plan for the UK market, you can send it to export@music-ontario.ca.
MusicOntario gratefully acknowledges our partners in this programming for making it possible, including Ontario Creates via the Ontario Music Investment Fund, and the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR), the Government of Canada (through the Canada Music Fund), and Canada's private radio broadcasters.