CANADIAN TALENT GOES GLOBAL
A Look Back at the Music in Motion Canada Music Awards 2024 in Sweden
Two months ago, the heart of the Canadian music scene found its home in an unexpected place: the picturesque setting of the Lilla By Festivalen in Sweden. This international backdrop served as the stage for the finalists of MiMc Music Awards 2024, a landmark event dedicated to celebrating and elevating the next generation of Canadian musical talent.
The atmosphere at Lilla By Festivalen was electric, with a truly international audience enthusiastically embracing our homegrown emerging talent. Among the night’s most celebrated artists were BIG LOU and ALICK MAC, whose exceptional artistry earned them all the pride as Canadian ambassadors. Their participation in our awards wins not only recognized their hard work but also propelled their music to new ears across continents, sparking a new wave of interest in their careers.
For many, receiving a MiMc Music Award is far more than a simple accolade; it’s a career-changing moment. We built this platform on the belief that talent needs opportunity, and these awards are a launchpad for emerging and independent musicians.
From the words of our finalists:
“Participating in the Lilla by Festivalen with Music in Motion Canada was truly a life-changing experience that I will cherish forever”.
I am deeply grateful to Jonas, Malin, and the entire organizing team for their warmth, hospitality, and the incredible effort they put into making this festival so special. From the moment we arrived in Åhus—a picturesque vacation town on the Baltic Sea and the hometown of Absolut Vodka—we were welcomed with open arms and treated like family.
This was my first time experiencing Europe as an adult, and even though the trip was short, every moment was packed with discovery and joy.
The festival itself was a vibrant celebration of music and culture, where we had the chance to enjoy a wide variety of traditional Swedish music and dance. It was inspiring to see so many genres represented and to learn about the rich history behind each performance. Jonas and Malin, both talented musicians themselves, set the tone for the event with their passion and dedication.
We also had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in Swedish traditions—sampling local delicacies like schnaps, meatballs, herring, sausage, and an incredible array of Swedish candies. Exploring Åhus by foot with the other artists, racking up over 10,000 steps in just a couple of hours, was a highlight. The town’s charm, with its quaint streets and seaside views, made every walk memorable.
Connecting with the other Canadian artists was another highlight of the trip. There was an instant bond between us as we shared in this unique adventure together, supporting each other and making the most of every experience.
The festival went by far too quickly, but the friendships and memories we made will last a lifetime. Thank you, Music in Motion Canada, for giving me the chance to be part of the festival’s 5th year and for creating an experience that has enriched my life in so many ways.
“I had a fantastic experience being a part of Lillaby Festivalen in Rinkaby, Sweden.
I loved seeing the Canada-Sweden connection that has been built through previous editions of the festival, and it was a privilege to help carry on this relationship.
The audience was amazing, particularly the young kids who were some of the best fans I’ve ever encountered in a live music setting. They treated us like rockstars which was hugely helpful in making us feel comfortable in a new setting. Beyond performing, it was awesome to connect with other musicians and watch them do their thing.
Our incredible hosts Malin and Jonas put on an incredible show and it was great to share this adventure with Big Lou, Daniel Monte and Daniel’s band. They are all great musicians and I was happy to get the chance to spend the weekend with them.
“After becoming a semi-finalist in the Music in Motion Canada competition, I was able to reach out to Jonas and Malin who were adjudicators for the competition. I thanked them for their kind words in their review of my work and a few months after this polite exchange, I was surprised and honored to see that Jonas and Malin invited me and the band to perform at their festival in Sweden.
It was funny timing, since I was talking to Anto (my Guitarist and business partner) about wanting to do shows in Europe”.
The band and I were all eager to invest and go on the trip. We arrived with excitement, not fully knowing what to expect. When we landed in Copenhagen and were getting ready to get the car, we felt an immediate vibe change between here and Canada. Everything was clean, organized and the overall anxiousness and stress levels in the air seemed lower. The drive confirmed that! The drive to the cabins we stayed in was smooth and enjoyable, and the lack of speeding cars showed the mentality that they had. The owners of this cute little cabin resort were so incredibly kind and we were just a short walk away from the beach, so we couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay! Finally after meeting Jonas and Malin for the first time, I can say that i am incredibly happy and proud that we decided to go on this trip. There was zero negativity and zero stress. There were a few last minute changes for what was expected of us in terms of various performances, but the vibe was so relaxed that something like this, that would have stressed me out, didn’t. Now it was time to perform, and I have to say, we had some of the most fun at this show! The audience was super into it and with us from the beginning to the end!
There were people dancing and singing along to my original songs that they heard for the first time in that moment! It was a great feeling to see everyone hanging out and having a great time with us. The energy was unreal. After the show, there were a group of kids that all crowded around asking for autographs! I signed papers, cards, phone cases and anything else they could get their hands on! It was exciting to see how my humble little signature was sought after and made these kids happy. After a successful night, we were eager to have the second show the day after. The second show was on a small stage and was much more intimate. We had many people fill the barn that we were playing in because they saw us the night before and came back to see us again. It was an honor to play and to see how we were received with open arms. Along the trip, we also encountered our Canadian counterparts at the Festival and I couldn’t have asked for a better duo. Alick Mac and Big Lou were, not only incredible artists, but incredible people. We hung out and bonded over the short period that we were there. There was a moment where we got to sing O’ Canada together and I never felt more proud”.
I hope to encounter all the awesome people we met on this trip again and we will always remember Lilla By Festivalen. Thanks Sweden!
The success of the MiMc Music Awards 2024 in Sweden underscores our commitment to nurturing Canadian talent and helping it reach a global audience. The stories of BIG LOU, ALICK MaCk, DANIEL MONTE, and all our winners are a source of immense pride and inspiration. They remind us that Canadian music is a force to be reckoned with, capable of captivating audiences no matter where in the world it’s heard.
We are already looking forward to the next awards season and encourage all aspiring musicians to keep creating.
The world is waiting to hear your message, and we are dedicated to providing the platform to help you share it.
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