News Article

Twenty Music PEI artists will take centre stage September 26th & 27th as Music PEI presents its fourth annual Showcase PEI at The Guild in Charlottetown. Over 30 music industry delegates from across Canada, the United States and the U.K. will be on hand to conduct business meetings with Island artists and attend intimate showcase performances. Delegates include major festival artistic directors, venue programmers, promoters, agents, labels and media. A list of showcase performers can be found below.

Tickets will be available to Showcase PEI for the first time this year. For the past three years showcase performances have been closed events limited to industry delegates. Music PEI is now offering a chance for the general public to see a stellar line up of Island artists playing some of the most important shows of their careers. Showcases open to the public take place September 26th and 27th at 8:00 pm at The Guild. Limited tickets are available. Contact The Guild box office at 902-620-3333 for tickets.

“This event has been responsible for creating hundreds of thousands of dollars in bookings and work for Island artists since 2008” said Music PEI Executive Director Rob Oakie. “Artists such as Vishten, Richard Wood, Catherine MacLellan, Paper Lions, Tim Chaisson and Morning Fold, Teresa Doyle, Meaghan Blanchard and more have received bookings at festivals, concerts and more as a result of performing at Showcase PEI.”

Another exciting development for Showcase PEI is the inaugural Artist Exchange Program. U.K. artist John Smith and Island singer-songwriter Dennis Ellsworth (of Haunted Hearts) have been selected for the program. Smith will travel to PEI and will be performing for industry delegates and collaborating with Ellsworth.

Another first for the program is a collaboration and partnership between Music PEI and the Fédération culturelle de l’IPÉ to bring buyers from Quebec. They will be looking for both Francophone and Anglophone artists.

Music PEI, founded in 2001 as the Prince Edward Island Music Awards Association, is a non-profit member services organization devoted to advancing careers of Island musicians. Music PEI is actively seeking ways to promote, foster and develop artists and the music industry on PEI. The Association acts as an advocate for the Island music industry and a representative at the national table.

Music PEI programs and activities are made possible through the ongoing support of the provincial departments of Tourism and Culture and Innovation and Advanced Learning as well as ACOA, Canadian Heritage, the City of Charlottetown and FACTOR.

Showcasing Artists:

Monday, September 26th
Afternoon Showcase (not open to public):
Ashley Condon
John Smith
Vishtèn

Evening Showcase:
Jordan Cameron
Rebel
North Lakes
Racoon Bandit
Paper Lions
Nudie and the Turks
Boxer the Horse
Arrows in the Air

Tuesday, September 27th
Afternoon Showcase (not open to public):
Katie McGarry
Molly Rankin
Richard Wood

Evening Showcase:
Teresa Doyle
Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys
Meaghan Blanchard
Glen Strickey
Tim Chaisson and Morning Fold
Haunted Hearts
English Words