Ottawa’s MEGAPHONO Music Showcase Festival & Conference is officially underway, welcoming music industry professionals from the US, Canada and abroad for a celebration of Ottawa-Gatineau and Eastern Ontario’s burgeoning music scene. 60 local and regional artists will be performing in over 20 venues across Ottawa-Gatineau, with a daytime conference on music industry-related topics scheduled at CITIZEN (207 Gilmour Street).

On Wednesday morning, the festival kicked off with a Mayor’s Breakfast at Ottawa City Hall. CARAS and JUNO Awards president Allan Reid spoke at the event about the economic impact the upcoming JUNO Awards will have during the Canada 150 celebrations, and cited the importance of our Music Cities research in efforts to grow Ottawa’s music economy. Prior to Reid’s address, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson gave a nod to MEGAPHONO for their help in solidifying Ottawa’s music scene.

"We're going to take over this city." @TheJUNOAwards' Allan Reid builds awards buzz at @JimWatsonOttawa's breakfast. pic.twitter.com/DmE9MK5CKb

— Jeff Leiper (@JLeiper) February 1, 2017

Allan Reid @TheJUNOAwards talks about the impact that music has on a city: economic, social, cultural @ottawacity pic.twitter.com/1eKy4UpMML

— OMIC/CIMO (@OttawaMIC) February 1, 2017

Mayor Jim Watson gives great shout out to @megaphono at @ottawachamber breakfast #MusicCities pic.twitter.com/XzwZPuXBq1

— Music Canada (@Music_Canada) February 1, 2017

Congratulations to @megaphono officially launching at @ottawacity at @JimWatsonOttawa breakfast with Allan Reid @TheJUNOAwards #ottmusic pic.twitter.com/zBCKjoK3O0

— OMIC/CIMO (@OttawaMIC) February 1, 2017

The MEGAPHONO Conference will feature panel discussions on music funding, recording, collaborations, promotion, and managing. Along with a packed schedule of evening shows, there will also be free daytime showcases at Bar Robo, Pressed Cafe, Elmdale Tavern, and The Record Centre. Passes can be picked up throughout the duration of the festival at CITZEN.