Toronto’s grassroots music sector has a new advocate: Live Music Toronto (LMT), the city’s first official trade association dedicated to independent venues, festivals, promoters, and presenters.
Formed by the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) and MusicOntario, LMT will provide resources and strategic assistance to its members. The organization operates as a distinct membership tier within the broader CIMA ecosystem and is modeled after groups like the UK’s Music Venue Trust and the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) in the United States.
Jonny Dovercourt, co-founder of the Toronto-based nonprofit arts platform Wavelength Music, will manage day-to-day operations. Tixr is sponsoring the initiative to help reduce membership costs.
Andrew Cash, President and CEO of CIMA, confirmed that LMT currently has 45 members. He outlined the eligibility criteria:
“Members must be independent, grassroots venues, promoters, presenters and festivals; Canadian-owned; Canadian-controlled; operating in Toronto and outside of the major institutional ecosystem; and not owned or operated by the municipal, provincial or federal governments.”
Cash added:
“For independent Canadian-owned venues and promoters and presenters and DIY grassroots promoters and presenters and venues in the city of Toronto, specifically, there’s a lot of local work to do that we think we can help with. One of those is connecting those people to each other.”
