On May 3, 2026, once again at Montréal’s TOHU, SOCAN will host the 35th edition of the Gala SOCAN – a must-attend celebration that will bring together many exceptional songwriters, composers, and music publishers from Québec, and Francophone communities across Canada.
The evening will be hosted by Radio-Canada’s dynamic Philippe Fehmiu, with acclaimed Chloé Lacasse serving as musical director, setting the stage for a gala filled with memorable performances and musical tributes.
SOCAN will present Cultural Impact Awards to Marjo, in recognition of the lasting influence of her iconic song “Provocante,” and to Harmonium, for the timeless and unforgettable “Un musicien parmi tant d’autres” – songs that have profoundly shaped Québec’s musical landscape, and continue to inspire.
Renowned lyricist Luc Plamondon will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary career and enduring contribution to Francophone music, both in Québec and around the world, leaving a lasting mark on multiple generations of artists and audiences alike.
JF Pauzé will receive the Songwriter Award, while Ruffsound will be honoured with the Songwriter Award – Non-Performer, celebrating the exceptional craft and creative excellence each brings to the art of songwriting.
This year’s International Award will go to Men I Trust –Jessy Caron, Dragos Chiriac and Emmanuelle Proulx – in recognition of their strong international presence, extensive touring, and genuine connection with an ever-growing global audience.
Screen composing will also be in the spotlight, with prolific composer Christian Clermont set to receive, among other honours, the Screen Composer Award for his work on one of CTV’s most popular and acclaimed series, Transplant.
Also, within the Special Achievement Awards category, the vital role of music publishers will be recognized with the presentation of the Publisher Award, honouring a Francophone publishing company from Québec, or the rest of Canada, that made a significant and positive contribution to the music industry and creative community in 2025.
Each Special Achievement Award winner will receive “The SOCAN,” the industry’s only major trophy that also functions as a musical instrument. This year, its five crotales are tuned to play the opening notes of “Un musicien parmi tant d’autres” by Harmonium.
This edition of the gala also marks the introduction of the Publisher Award – Creative Impact, recognizing a company that has distinguished itself through its artistic vision and its commitment to the long-term development of the music creators it represents.
In the screen music category, several awards will be presented to composers whose exceptional scores have made a mark on film and television, in Canada and internationally, through their outstanding creative work.
SOCAN’s Francophone, Anglophone and International Popular Song Awards will recognize the most performed songs of the past year, and recipients in the Special Award categories will also be announced, including:
- Breakthrough Award Breakthrough Screen Composer Award
- Country Music Award
- Electronic Music Award
- Hip-Hop Music Award
- Indigenous Music Award
- R&B Music Award
- Global Music Award
- Prix Jan V. Matejcek – New Classical Music
- Hagood Hardy Award – Jazz Music
SOCAN will also honour an organization that consistently champions fair music licensing, and the rights of music creators and publishers to be properly compensated for the use of their work. This year’s Music Partner Award will be presented to SPEC du Haut-Richelieu, a non-profit, multidisciplinary presenter dedicated to fostering and promoting culture within its communities.
“The Gala SOCAN remains a unique opportunity to celebrate those who shape the music we hear everywhere – onstage, on the radio, on-screen, online, and around the world,” said Jennifer Brown, CEO of SOCAN. “This 35th edition reflects the richness, boldness and diversity of our songwriters, composers, and music publishers, and provides an exceptional platform to spotlight their careers and their work.”
The Gala SOCAN in Montréal is the Francophone counterpart to the SOCAN Awards, for creators and publishers working primarily in English, which will be presented in Toronto once again in the fall of 2026.