Photos by Veronique Levesque – Toronto-born Filipino-Canadian singer-songwriter MICO is making significant strides in 2026, emerging as one of Canada’s most exciting rising voices in alternative pop-rock. Born Miguel Veloso, the 23-year-old artist has built an impressive international following through emotionally honest songwriting, infectious melodies and an energetic musical style that blends nostalgic pop-punk influences with modern alternative pop and hyperpop. Initially building his audience through Discord performances, Twitch streams and TikTok, MICO has transformed his online popularity into a growing global career, accumulating more than 300 million streams and earning a devoted fan community known as the “amicos.” His growing profile received another major boost in 2026 when he was named Spotify RADAR Canada’s Artist of the Month and earned a JUNO Award nomination for Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year. Sony Music Canada+1
A major career milestone arrived on June 26, 2026, with the release of his highly anticipated debut full-length album, When the lights turn on, through Columbia Records. The 10-track collection showcases MICO’s evolution as a songwriter, combining the hook-driven nostalgia of 2000s and 2010s pop-punk with contemporary alt-pop production and hyperpop textures. Exploring themes of identity, heartbreak, relationships, nostalgia and the challenges of growing up, the album reflects a period of personal change and constant travel. Standout releases including “DREAMBOY,” “Like you mean it” and “Do it all again” highlight his ability to balance explosive musical arrangements with vulnerable, relatable storytelling. In September, he continued the album’s creative journey with “Everything’s the Same,” a deeply personal single reflecting on returning to Toronto after an extended time away and realizing that the people and places once considered home have changed. Sony Music Canada+2
Taking his music to an increasingly international audience, MICO spent 2026 expanding his touring presence with the Running From A Feeling Tour, featuring more than 30 dates across North America, Asia and Australia. The tour included multiple sold-out performances, with two Toronto dates at the Danforth Music Hall on November 6 and 7 highlighting the growing enthusiasm for his music in his hometown. Following the release of additional deluxe material and his November 6 holiday release When the (Christmas) lights turn on, MICO continues to demonstrate his versatility and willingness to explore new creative directions. With a rapidly expanding international fanbase, major-label backing and a distinctive sound that connects generations of alternative pop and rock listeners, 2026 represents a defining breakthrough year for an artist whose career continues to gain momentum.
