Acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith (who is currently touring Australia) has added another major career milestone to an already eventful year, with news he has been personally selected by Elton John to perform at the prestigious Glenn Gould Prize Gala in Toronto on May 9.
Often described as the “Nobel Prize of the Arts,” the gala will honour Elton John at The Theatre at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, with a specially curated tribute featuring an all-Canadian lineup chosen by Elton himself. The bill includes Sarah McLachlan, Diana Krall, The Beaches, Ron Sexsmith, Jeremy Dutcher, LOONY and Ryan Wang.
In a particularly personal touch, Elton reportedly phoned Ron himself to invite him to take part, a gesture that speaks volumes about the long-standing admiration between the two artists. Elton has championed Sexsmith’s songwriting for decades, famously helping introduce his music to a wider international audience.
The honour arrives as Sexsmith is currently in Australia for a national tour, bringing his celebrated catalogue to audiences across the country. The tour has given Australian fans the rare chance to experience songs from across his deeply admired body of work, from early favourites to material drawn from his more recent recordings, reaffirming why he remains one of songwriting’s most respected voices.
The timing makes the Glenn Gould invitation especially significant, capping off a busy period in which Sexsmith is connecting with audiences on one side of the world while preparing to join an elite cast in celebrating one of music’s most iconic figures on the other.
For Australian fans seeing him on the current tour, the news adds an extra layer of occasion, they’re catching Sexsmith in the midst of a moment that stretches from intimate theatre stages here to one of Canada’s grandest cultural events.
Ron Sexsmith is touring Australia in April 2026 as part of his “Hangover Terrace” tour, marking his first visit in over 11 years. The tour features performances in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Castlemaine, Adelaide, and Perth with his band.
2026 Tour quotes:
“Song after song with origins in personal experience but somehow universalised so they are a layer less raw than what we hear from some heart-on-the-sleeve song writers … Melancholy, wistful, reflective. A standing ovation for this humble man and his gentle bandmates.” – 13thfloor.co.nz
“This was a wonderful night of music which showed off the breadth of Sexsmith’s songwriting and gave the audience a real treat in a real craftsman of an ilk that we do not often see take the stage in Australia. The City Recital Hall was a great venue to show off Sexsmith’s work and the audience definitely got what they wanted as demonstrated by the lengthy standing ovation after the set. A great night of wonderful music.” – musicaltheatre.au
Remaining RON SEXSMITH Australian Tour Dates 2026
Thursday 23 April: Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne
Friday 24 April: Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
Saturday 25 April: The Gov, Adelaide
Sunday 26 April: Rosemount Hotel, Perth
Tickets are available through DRW Entertainment, Ticketek, and Oztix. Special guest, Falls, is set to support the tour.
