Programming

OMIC Programming Opportunities

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CALL FOR LOCAL & TOURING ARTISTS/BANDS

We want to help showcase your talent in Ottawa (and beyond!).

If you’re an artist or band (local or touring) looking to be considered for all 2026 OMIC performance opportunities, now’s the time to get on our radar. 

Submit your info through the 2026 OMIC Artist Submission Form!

On average, OMIC and our partners create 100+ performance opportunities every year, festivals, community events, showcases, special projects, venue partnerships, and more.

Whether you're emerging, established, experimental, bilingual, instrumental, loud, soft, funky, folky, there’s a place for you in Ottawa’s music ecosystem.

Let’s make 2026 unforgettable.
 Apply today! 

Fill out the 2026 OMIC Artist Submission Form Here

Recurring Performance Opportunities

City Sounds Live Songs from the Shed Live from the Booth

CITY SOUNDS LIVE

  • Description: City Sounds Live is a travelling music festival presented in partnership with BIAs and co-curators in various neighbourhoods around the city of Ottawa. Created in 2021, thanks to funding from the City of Ottawa’s Economic Development Department, City Sounds Live brings music to outdoor spaces in communities, driving foot traffic and the local economy.
  • Performance Specs:
    • Outdoor performances take place under a 10x15 tent. PA, microphones, and a professional sound technician are provided.
    • There are no greenrooms and no risers.
    • Artists are required to bring their own instruments and cables.
    • A host will introduce bands.
    • Some shows include a panel or fireside chat between artists.
    • Accommodations can be made for wheelchair and mobility device users.
  • Artist selection:
    • For local developing, emerging, and export-ready artists.
    • Suitable for solo to full band instrumentation.
    • All music genres are considered.
    • Original music preferred. Covers welcome.

Find events near you and learn more about City Sounds Live here!

Contact: Jessy Lindsay, she/her, Program Manager, jessy@ottawamic.com

Two performers rapping on an outdoor stage at night with a small crowd gathered. The background shows a city street with buildings and streetlights. An orange canopy with the text 'www.craniumfestival.com' is visible on the left. A musician playing electric guitar and singing into a microphone at a City Sounds Live show. A black canopy tent with the text 'the glebe' and 'intheglebe.ca' is visible to the right. Two DJs wearing black headphones are operating mixers and laptops outside under a tent.

 

SONGS FROM THE SHED

  • Description: Songs from the Shed is a lunchtime concert series weekdays during the summer months in a high-traffic area on Sparks Street. This program is presented in partnership between OMIC and the Downtown BIA. This opportunity accommodates solo/duo configurations and bands performing solo-acoustic versions of their songs.
  • Performance Specs:
    • A small shed, PA (no sub), mixer, and coordinator/host are provided.
    • There are no greenrooms in the context of this outdoor performance opportunity.
    • Please note that technical equipment and the stage size are limited at The Shed.
    • Sparks Street is wheelchair accessible but the stage isn’t.
    • Accommodations can be made for wheelchair and mobility device users.
  • Artist specifications:
    • Local and touring developing, emerging, and export-ready artists.
    • Original music preferred. Covers welcome.
    • Suitable for solo to duo instrumentation (maximum).
    • No full bands (sorry).
  • Contact: Jessy Lindsay, she/her, Program Manager, jessy@ottawamic.com
Photo Credit: Philippe Larivière

View a Rogers TV filmed performance featuring Danielle Allard at The Shed here!

LIVE FROM THE BOOTH 

  • Description: Live from the Booth is a new pop-up DJ and electronic music series that will take place in a small booth on Sparks Street in partnership with the Sparks Street BIA all summer long. The concert series will take place every Saturday evening from 8pm-10pm.
  • Performance Specs:
    • Sheltered booth, coordinator, host, PA (with sub), decks, and mixer are provided.
    • No green room. Sparks Street is wheelchair accessible but The Booth is not.
    • Ways to accommodate wheelchair users can be explored.
  • Artist specifications: Local and touring emerging and export-ready DJ's and electronic artists.
  • Contact: Jessy Lindsay, she/her, Program Manager, jessy@ottawamic.com

“OMIC is thrilled to expand our partnership with Downtown BIA to focus on highlighting Ottawa’s established and up-and-coming electronic artists and DJs in The Booth. These performance opportunities allow artists of all levels to get hands-on experience and share their craft with the Sparks Street community. Programming Saturday evening shows will help support the city’s mission of developing the downtown nightlife economy. Join us on Sparks to enjoy the variety of free musical performances “Songs from the Shed” and “Live from the Booth” have to offer all summer long!” 

- Melanie Brulée, Executive Director, OMIC

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