About Us
The voice of Canada’s vibrant live music industry.
The Canadian Live Music Association works to entrench live music’s economic, cultural, and social value and to create the conditions for concerts to thrive.
Our advocacy efforts focus on policy advancement, funding, public awareness, research, and activities that unite, highlight, and galvanize the work of the live music sector - because a united voice is a strong voice.
Among our members are concert promoters, festivals, talent agencies, venues, clubs, arenas, performing arts centres, industry associations, networks, and suppliers.
Read about us below.
Arkells at SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, July 2022, Nathan Janzen
What We Do
ADVOCACY
ENTRENCHING THE VALUE OF LIVE MUSIC
Impacting policy, funding, and opportunity for the live music sector.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
GROWING AND KNOWING
Certifications, webinars, and important news that directly impacts your business.
Programming to open business opportunities.
RESEARCH
IDENTIFYING NEED AND MAKING CHANGE
Quantifying industry specific data, recommending and applying findings to continually develop the industry.
NETWORKING
CONNECTING YOU WITH YOUR INDUSTRY
Access a braintrust of live music workers across the country: meet, ask questions, get immediate advice.
Join the united voice of your industry.
OTHER BENEFITS
PROVIDING YOU WITH RESOURCES
Discounts on events, training, and operational expenses.
“Live music is a ubiquitous art form that unites and engages audiences and artists in impactful, lasting ways. The Canadian Live Music Association is central to the conversation and advocacy of Canada’s deep and diverse live music sector. By collaborating with the industry that supports artists and venues, the CLMA is key to nurturing and championing creative and original artists, developing and enhancing careers and ensuring musical discovery is fostered with the public.”
- Kerry Clarke, Artistic Director, Calgary Folk Festival
The mission of the CLMA is to entrench the economic, social and cultural value of live music – creating the conditions for concerts to thrive, from coast to coast to coast.
Our History
The Canadian Live Music Association was formed in 2014 in response to a national need for united representation of the sector. The organization’s mission is to entrench the economic, social, and cultural value of live music and create the conditions for concerts to thrive from coast to coast to coast.
Our Founding Members
The Agency Group
The Corporation of Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall
The Feldman Agency
Ticketmaster Canada
Union Events
Canadian Music Week
Collective Concerts
evenko
Global Spectrum
Live Nation
Music Canada
NxNE
This year, the CLMA celebrates its 10th year of operation. Since 2014, the CLMA has celebrated many successes in championing the collective mission of the live music industry, including:
Development of the first-ever Economic Impact Assessment of Canada's live music industry
Historic allocation of $70M in 2021 Federal Budget to live music
Launch of the CLMA study “Closing the Gap: Impact and Representation of IBPOC Live Music Workers”
Groundbreaking campaign #ForTheLoveOfLIVE/ #PourLAmourDeLaSCENE
Connecting & cultivating a nationwide network of live music community members
Rebranded "Music Canada Live" to "Canadian Live Music Association" in 2019
Kinaxis InConcert program
More than $600M in sector relief funding and direct programming support during COVID-19 shutdowns
Tourism Growth Strategy
Early timelines in delivery of 2024 Reconnect Program (ON)
Strong advocacy in BC helped to lead to increases and renewals of fairs, festivals and events program
#KeepYourPromise and #FutureOfLive campaign leadership, leading directly to increases of key programs
Founding (w/ CMW) of Canadian Live Music Industry Awards
Creation of The Next Stage program, building relationships between business and music leadership across Canada
Re:Venues study on the economic impact of Toronto live music venues
And many more…