Elevate Music Project is an initiative by The MRG Group that supports and showcases emerging artists across British Columbia. The competition gives local musicians a platform to perform, connect with the industry, and elevate their careers.

Artists apply to participate, and a panel of industry professionals reviews all submissions:

• 24 selected acts perform live at The Biltmore Cabaret starting November 27 across 4 preliminary rounds, with 6 bands performing each night.
• The top acts from each round advance to the semi-final at The Biltmore Cabaret on January 8, 2026.
• The finalists then perform in the  finals at The Vogue Theatre on January 22, 2026, where one winner is crowned and awarded prizes, mentorship, and performance opportunities with The MRG Group.

2025 applications are closed as of Nov 12, 2025. The competition is open to residents of British Columbia who are 19 years or older. Musicians of all genres and backgrounds are welcome to apply, including solo acts, duos, and full bands. Applicants should have at least 30 minutes of original material and must be available to perform on one of the preliminary show dates.

2025 applications are closed as of Nov 12, 2025.

Nope! Applications are completely free. The goal is to make the program as accessible as possible to local talent.

Performances are evaluated by a panel of music industry professionals based on originality, stage presence, musical skill, and audience engagement.

All shows take place in Vancouver, BC.

• Preliminaries: November 27, December 4, December 11, and December 18 at The Biltmore Cabaret.
• Semi-Final: January 8, 2026 at The Biltmore Cabaret.
• Final: January 22, 2026 at The Vogue Theatre.

Absolutely! Each round of Elevate is a ticketed live event, and audiences are encouraged to come out, support local talent, and enjoy incredible performances. Ticket links are available  here on our website,  as well as through Elevate’s official channels and venue partners.

Follow @ElevateMusicProject on Instagram or visit the official Elevate page for news, announcements, and show highlights.

The project is produced by The MRG Group, the team behind some of Canada’s most iconic live venues and events, in collaboration with local sponsors and music industry partners.