The atmosphere landed somewhere between industry mixer and intimate gig, with attendees drifting between conversations, cocktails, and a game of “vinyl roulette,” where guests selected a category of pop music and walked away with a free record. (I chose “whimsical pop” and left with a Florence + the Machine vinyl!)

Earlier in the day, RANGE sat down with the showcasing artists inside a cozy back room of the studio, getting a sense of their personalities and creative worlds before seeing how those translated live later that night.

Upon first meeting Sydney Rose, it was easy to see how her laid back, grounded demeanour carries into her music. The 22-year-old leans into emotional minimalism, with the bridge of her song “We Hug Now” gaining viral attention on TikTok before it was even officially released.

She told RANGE earlier that Phoebe Bridgers was her favourite artist — a comparison that subtly surfaces in her hushed vocal delivery and melancholic songwriting. Rose’s set consisted of only an acoustic guitar and her voice, with songs that are, by her own admission, “pretty sad” but wholly enjoyable. 

Sydney Rose.

In between tracks, she lightened the room with self-deprecating jokes and dry humour, welcoming the audience to her “stand up routine.” Now living in Nashville, the singer told us that many of her songs capture the feeling of driving through your hometown — for her, that’s Canton — and realizing you’ve outgrown it.

Another Nashville artist on the bill was Iris Copperman. At only 14 years old, the crowd seemed struck by her sweet voice and earnest lyricism.

The singer-songwriter has already released an EP centred on the struggles of middle school — friendships, growing pains and the kind of emotions that can feel all-consuming at that age. Her set revealed an introspection and thoughtfulness that felt well beyond her years.

Iris Copperman.

After a brief intermission filled with more mingling and hors d’oeuvres passed around on silver platters, the energy shifted with Ebril’s set.

With a wash of green eyeshadow brushed across her eyes and nose, Ebril’s music leaned into grungier shoegaze textures, setting her apart from the more traditional pop structures heard throughout the evening. The only Canadian-based artist on the lineup, Ebril told RANGE that she draws much of her visual inspiration from flora and fauna — specifically bugs and insects.

Ebril.

On songs like “Anticipate Heartbreak,” from her debut album released last year, the 23-year-old sings about her experience immigrating from Jordan to Canada. A handful of unreleased songs hinted at her sound heading somewhere heavier and rockier, with sonic nods toward bands like The Cardigans and Slowdive.

Before Holly Humberstone took the stage, there was a noticeable push toward the front of the room. Fresh off playing two weekends at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the UK artist arrived with the kind of momentum that made her feel distinctly larger than the room itself. When we met earlier that afternoon, she was enthusiastic and complimentary, immediately taking in the atmosphere around her. “There’s a witchy vibe in here,” she proclaimed, settling into a brown leather couch surrounded by tea lights. “I love it.”

Holly Humberstone.

That “witchy” sensibility threads throughout her latest album, Cruel World — a little bit Alice in Wonderland and a little bit Kate Bush, balancing surrealism with diaristic storytelling.

On stage, she proved she could command far bigger rooms, propelled by glossy new-wave synths and massive choruses that linger long after the songs end. Her polish and instinct for a huge hook make it easy to understand why she’s already caught the attention of artists like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo.

IGNITE’s latest class doesn’t seem interested in fitting neatly into one version of pop stardom. Across acoustic confessionals, shoegaze textures and towering synth hooks, the showcase made one thing clear: the next wave is already here.