The YYC Music Awards marked its 10th anniversary at Grey Eagle, honouring musicians and industry professionals who call Calgary home. Hosted by Lisette Xavier and James Demers, the show recognized excellence across 29 categories, from classical and jazz to metal, pop, folk, blues, and alternative.
The evening featured live performances and special guest appearances, including Mayor Jyoti Gondek, X92.9’s Logan Middleton, former YYC Music Award winner Matt Blais, and JUNO Awards Rap Music Advisory Committee Chair Arlo Maverick.
Award highlights included the Hit Makers Hall of Fame, which inducted Al Muirhead, MCC Recording Studio, and The Royal Foundry. The YYC Music Awards also recognized 14 first-time winners, such as The Wilder Bunch, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo performers, Robert Adam, and Calgary indie ensemble Thomas Thomas.
Live performances throughout the night included Sunflower Dreams, Jade Elephant, Kathleen Morrison & Carlos Foggin with members of Calgary’s orchestras, Ashley Ghostkeeper, Robert Grosse and KayL, Angela Wrigley, Ollee Owens, and Madhuban Performing Arts. The evening concluded with a performance by Nightshade during the afterparty.
2025 YYCMA Winners:
ALTERNATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
Presented by X92.9 Calgary’s Alternative
Thomas Thomas – “One Lone Candle”
BLUES RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
Marcus Trummer – “From The Start”
CHILDREN’S RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
The Wilder Bunch – “Conservation Songs”
CLASSICAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
Presented by Viewpoint Foundation
Calgary Wind Symphony – “Prevail”
COMMUNITY ENSEMBLE OF THE YEAR:
The Daniel Pelton Collective
COUNTRY RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
Presented by Ranchman’s Cook House & Dancehall
Drew Gregory – “One For The Road”
EDM RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
Presented by Oscill8 Collective
Titus1 – “Going Nowhere”
FOLK RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
Presented by A Not So Silent Events
Kate Stevens – “New Walk Home”
GROUP OF THE YEAR:
The Royal Foundry
INDIGENOUS ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Presented by Blue Willow Entertainment
Ashley Ghostkeeper
INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR:
Presented by Stagehand & PK Sound
Kerry Clarke
INSPIRATIONAL/HOLIDAY RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
Write On! The Songwriting Experience – “Harmony”
JAZZ RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
Presented by Jazz at the Attic & JazzYYC
Jeremy Brown with Audrey Ochoa – “Intersections”
LIVE PERFORMER OF THE YEAR:
Presented by StoryBeat Media
Cyril Tenjohn and the Honkey Cats – Elton John
METAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
Presented by Loud as Hell Metal Festival
Die Another Day – “Transcend”
MUSIC EDUCATOR/ENSEMBLE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR:
Presented by CADME (Calgary Association for the Development of Music Education)
Chris Herard
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
The Royal Foundry – “Sad Girl Summer” – Director Bethany Salte
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD:
Presented by Music Mile
VIXIN – “Exhibition”
POP RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
Dempsey Bolton – “Comfortable Lines”
PROPHETS OF MUSIC EMERGING ARTIST AWARD:
Presented by The Prophets of Music Society Irene Poole
R&B/SOUL RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
ZENON – “Falling (Into You)”
RAP RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
Tea Fannie – “It’s All Love”
RECORDING STUDIO OF THE YEAR:
OCL Studios
ROCK RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
Presented by The King’s Head Eatery and Music Room
Jade Elephant – “So Far”
SINGLE OF THE YEAR:
Presented by Craig Senyk Initiatives
The Royal Foundry – “Famous”
SOLO ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Presented by Event Centre at Grey Eagle Resort & Casino
ZENON
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR:
Presented by Calgary Folk Music Festival
Robert Adam – “Bailing Twine”
VENUE OR PRESENTER OF THE YEAR:
Ironwood Stage and Grill
WORLD/CULTURAL RECORDING OF THE YEAR:
Luis Tovar – “Back to My Roots”
