The quest to find Canada’s best new music artist is back as CBC teams up with Canada Scene and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity for the 5th edition of this annual nationwide hunt for the country’s top undiscovered voice.

Each year, CBC Searchlight attracts thousands of entries from coast to coast to coast, bringing Canada’s best emerging performers together in their communities in a months-long cross-country search for our nation’s finest new talent. This summer, the 2017 contest concludes with an electrifying concert at the National Arts Centre, where the winner will perform with the other four finalists on the Canada Day long weekend.

The concert will feature The Long War, this year’s Searchlight winner. The Vancouver-based band, whose sound draws influences from folk, rock and hints of country, took home the top prize for their song “Breathe In Breathe Out”.

The three other finalists will also perform on the show.  Originally from New Brunswick, Jaryd Stanley is a talented young singer-songwriter, while Saskatchewan’s The Wolfe is a trio of young women known for writing risk-taking, cheeky, and catchy tunes. WILL, who moved to Canada from Trinidad and Tobago when she was five, effortlessly blends pop and R&B with elements of hip-hop.

Searchlight will be hosted by two-time JUNO nominee Royal Wood. Royal worked with The Long War during their Banff Centre residency, and will perform a song with them as part of the show. 

Don’t miss your chance to see and hear the very best in new Canadian talent!

Presented by CBC in association with the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and the National Arts Centre.