2025 Music PEI Awards – The Buzz

Music PEI Awards Show

Music PEI has announced the nominees for the 2025 Music PEI Awards, celebrating the outstanding achievements of PEI’s vibrant music community. This year, Dylan Menzie, Vishtèn Connexions, and Lawrence Maxwell lead the pack with an impressive six nominations each, followed by Hikado with five, and both Absolute Losers and Richard Wood with four nominations apiece.

The awards highlight the talent and dedication of PEI artists and industry professionals, showcasing a wide range of genres and contributions to the Island’s music scene.

This year’s celebration includes special recognition for two honorees: Phase II, the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the City of Charlottetown, recognizing the group’s enduring contributions to PEI’s music scene; and Rory O’Donnell, the recipient of the Leo Cheverie Community Contributor Award presented by Sara Roach Lewis Solutions, honouring his impact on PEI’s community and music landscape.

Online public voting for two fan-favourite categories—Ocean 100 and Hot 105.5 Entertainer of the Year and Maritime Electric Music Video of the Year—continues until January 3.

The nominees for the 2025 Music PEI Awards are:

Terra Nova Fund Achievement in Classical Music: Luminos Ensemble; PEI Symphony Orchestra; Sarah Hagen; Tiffany Liu.

Achievement in Jazz Music: Andrew A. Melzer; Carlie Howell; Dan Rowswell.

Achievement in World Music: Richard Wood; Tiffany Liu

The Buzz Album Art of the Year: Carlie Howell—Let It Land (Graphic Design by Carlie Howell, Photography by Story Thorburn); Dylan Menzie—North American Dream Kid (Graphic Design by Niyi Adeogun, Photography by Justin Rix); Elsie—All By My Lonesome (Artwork by Elsie Richmond); Hikado—Enough (Graphic Design by Julia Lopo); Vishtèn Connexions—Expansion (Artwork by Renee Laprise, Graphic Design by Jordan Beaulieu & Roberta Landreth).

Atlantic Lottery Album of the Year: Absolute Losers—At The Mall; Dennis Ellsworth—Hardcore Freewheelin’; Dylan Menzie—North American Dream Kid; Richard Wood—Richard WOOD Live! An Evening of Celtic Music; Vishtèn Connexions–Expansion.

Leo Cheverie Community Contributor Award Presented by Sara Roach Lewis Solutions: Rory O’Donnell.

Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year: Dylan Menzie—North American Dream Kid; Lawrence Maxwell­—Pouring Out My Heart; Noah Malcolm­—Cereal; Tara MacLean—Live in My Hometown; Vishtèn Connexions—Expansion.

Digital Presence of the Year: BraedenV; Diddyturner; Hikado; Luisa Güiza.

Long & McQuade Educator of the Year: Angie Arsenault; Mark Parsons; Rory O’Donnell; Shawn Doiron.

Ocean 100 and Hot 105.5 Entertainer of the Year: Brad Milligan; Dylan Menzie; Inn Echo; Lawrence Maxwell; Tiffany Liu; Todd MacLean. 

Craig Fair Productions Instrumental Recording of the Year: Aaron Comeau—FULLY UNFORMED; Andrew A. Melzer—Cool Bandtracks & Instrumentals #2; Inn Echo—Hemispheres; Richard Wood—Richard WOOD Live! An Evening of Celtic Music; Todd MacLean—Apricity.

City of Charlottetown Lifetime Achievement Award: Phase II.

ADL Live Music Production Professional of the Year: Chris Knox; Shawna Picard.

Live Sector Award: Craig Fair Productions; Island Jazz; Jack Pine Folk Club; Open Mic with KINLEY.

Maritime Electric Music Video of the Year: Absolute Losers—”Bender” (Directed by Abbey Wilson); Hikado—”Days Go By” (Directed by Jacob Puiras); KINLEY—”Charlotte” (Directed by Jenna MacMillan); Lawrence Maxwell & Brooke MacArthur—”What You See in Me” (Directed by Jesse Duarte); Vishtèn Connexions—”Expansion” ft. Rowen Gallant + Jesse Périard (Directed by Millefiore Clarkes).

Holland College Musician of the Year: Craig Fair; Keelin Wedge; Logan Richard; Mat MacEachern; Maya Márquez.

Lloyd Doyle New Artist of the Year Presented by The Gray Group: Bettii—Shyyyyyy:); Carlie Howell—Let It Land; Gizmo—Buddy System; Hikado—Enough; Luisa Güiza—Me Sana.

Discover Charlottetown Pop Recording of the Year: Absolute Losers—At The Mall; Dylan Menzie—North American Dream Kid; Lawrence Maxwell & Brooke MacArthur—What You See In Me; Noah Malcolm—January; Pearly Gates—Sunny Sunshine Song.

Rising Tide Community Fund Prix De L’Acadie: Aubin pi la S.C.B; Sirène et Matelot; Vishtèn Connexions.

City of Summerside R&B/Soul Recording of the Year: Joce Reyome—Mr. Rain; Lefunk—Reflection.

The Guardian Rap/Hip Hop Recording of the Year: BraedenV—Fade Out; Cavy—Bad Games (feat. Merkules); DEMIXX—ESCAPISM?; Norm Strangely—Norm Strangely; Rightflow—VIOLENCE.

Receiver Coffee Co. Recording Sector Award: Adam Gallant; Colin Buchanan; Jon Matthews (The Sound Mill).

Rodd Hotels & Resorts Rock/Loud Recording of the Year: 20 Eyes—Summer Camp; Gizmo—Buddy System; Heather—Never Mind, Goodbye; Oakdrive—107; Space Bud—Decisions.

Stay Golden Custom Single of the Year: Absolute Losers—”By Fright”; Bettii—”Shyyyyyy:)”; Hikado—”Enough”; Lawrence Maxwell & Brooke MacArthur—”What You See In Me”; Logan Richard—”Feels This Way”.

SOCAN Songwriter of the Year: Dylan Menzie; Gizmo; Lawrence Maxwell; Noah Malcolm; Whitney Rose.

KENT Building Supplies Traditional Roots Recording of the Year: Luka Hall—To Be Honest; Richard Wood—Richard WOOD Live! An Evening of Celtic Music; Shane Pendergast—Crossing The Bridge; Vishtèn Connexions—Expansion.

Music PEI Week 2025 will take place from March 4–8 with events across the Island celebrating PEI’s music scene. Festival Passes are on sale now, with early bird rates until January 13 or while supplies last. These passes grant access to all the festival’s major events, including the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Concert and the 24th Annual Music PEI Awards Gala.

For voting links and to purchase festival passes, visit musicpei.com.

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