March 20-21, 2026
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March 20-21, 2026 〰️
Vancouver, BC
About
A new name, a new chapter. SoMa Fest arrives March 20 & 21, 2026 - bringing two days of new music, learning, and connection to Vancouver.
Presented by Music BC, SoMa Fest is a dynamic celebration of emerging and breakout talent. Building on the legacy of the 'Let's Hear It' series, the festival champions music discovery, inviting audiences to explore multiple venues and uncover the next wave of B.C. artists across genres and stages of development.
Tickets available now!
The “Let's Hear It" Legacy
Let’s Hear It (LHI) was launched in 2018 by the Vancouver JUNO Host Committee to spotlight emerging B.C. talent and celebrate the local music community. Following the 2018 JUNO Awards, Music BC carried the legacy forward, introducing a live performance series that by 2023 grew into a multi-venue, one-day festival in Vancouver’s Mt. Pleasant - quickly becoming the premier showcase for emerging B.C. artists.
Between 2023 and 2025, the festival featured over 70 local performers across independent venues including The Fox Cabaret, Anza Club, Red Gate, La Fabrique St. George, and The Cobalt.
In 2024, the introduction of the Jumpstart Forum expanded LHI’s scope, offering a full day of panels, education, and networking for the music industry.
When the JUNO Awards returned to Vancouver in 2025, LHI once again took centre stage as the Host Committee’s platform for community events celebrating the growth and diversity of B.C.’s music sector - cementing its status as the longest-running JUNO legacy to date.
This milestone marked both a return to its roots and the beginning of a new legacy. Beginning in 2026, LHI transforms into SoMa Fest - an independent, community-driven festival celebrating discovery, connection and collaboration across B.C.’s music scene - with the Jumpstart Forum reimagined as the SoMa Forum. We look forward to welcoming you into this next chapter!
SoMa Forum
The music doesn’t stop when the lights go up… This year, we are thrilled to debut SoMa Forum - a new space for the conversations that move our industry forward, running in tandem with SoMa Fest. Built to bridge the gap between the stage and the business, the Forum offers tactical, real-time insights designed to elevate your professional toolkit, whether you’re an artist or an industry veteran.
SoMa Forum brings the industry to you, with experts joining us from across Canada and around the globe. Across two days of programming, expect high-impact conversations from visionary leaders redefining the scene, alongside interactive workshops, and more. This is where the BC music community connects to turn inspiration into sustainable success..
