pc28¹ÙÍøhas long been a breeding ground for global talent, with its dynamic influence being felt across music, art and comedy. The city’s diverse artistic ecosystem has nurtured some of the world’s most influential creatives, cementing its status as a top hub for emerging talent.
But how can pc28¹ÙÍøcontinue to sustain and build upon this legacy in the face of an ever-evolving cultural landscape? The answer lies in the launch of Departure Festival + Conference, an innovative new event designed to bridge the gap between creativity and commerce.
Departure Festival + Conference, set to take place from May 6-11 at Hotel X pc28¹ÙÍøand over 40 venues across the city, reimagines Canadian Music Week. By expanding its scope to encompass music, art, comedy and technology, Departure offers an unprecedented opportunity for the global creative community to converge, collaborate and grow.
Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group (OVG), who acquired Canadian Music Week last year, are behind the bold new vision for this event. Kevin Barton, executive producer at Loft Entertainment, said Departure is about more than just entertainment — it’s about taking artistry to a different level.
Dallas Green
Contributed“Its roots are in music, that’s how this conference and festival started, as Canadian Music Week, which was really about supporting Canadian artists and the ecosystem in and around it. We’ve taken the same basic principle but expanded the scope of what it really means to be a musician in today’s environment,†he explained.
Barton said artists are more multidisciplinary now than they’ve ever been and are embracing a diverse set of skills and roles beyond traditional music. These days, they also need to think about everything from content creation and visual arts, to technology, merchandising and interacting with their fanbase.
That evolution of a musician’s role is central to Departure’s mission. “The music space is an ever-changing ebb and flow and we wanted to address that and build something that reflects what is happening in today’s space,†said Barton.
A key feature of Departure is its focus on community-building, both within the creative industries and across sectors, catering to a variety of stakeholders, from artists to CEOs to managers.
The music and comedy showcases provide artists with opportunities to perform and gain exposure, while also connecting directly with industry professionals. That approach ensures that everyone leaves not only with new knowledge and insights, but with tangible connections that can spark further opportunities.
Tegan and Sara
ContributedDeparture’s inaugural lineup is a carefully curated mix that truly reflects the diverse and vibrant culture of Toronto. Organizers recently revealed a number of notable additions, including indie-pop duo Tegan and Sara, Arkells frontman Max Kerman and pop-punk trailblazer Fefe Dobson rounding out the stellar lineup of speakers, as well as comedy icons Elvira Kurt and Jamie Kennedy, who join previously announced guests Bryan Adams, Dallas Green, Matty Matheson, Tia Wood, Shaggy, Jully Black, Mustafa, Harland Williams, Leslie Liao, Caroline Rhea, the hosts of How Did This Get Made? - Live and more.
“We were very intentional in curating a lineup that reflects the people of pc28¹ÙÍø— a diverse mix of people from different communities and various music genres,†Barton said. “From EDM and rock to hip-hop and international acts, we made sure to represent Toronto’s unique diversity, which sets it apart from other cities.â€
Looking ahead, Barton envisions Departure becoming a world-class conference where attendees come from around the globe, drawn by the opportunity to connect, learn, and innovate. “We want people to leave inspired, with new connections and ideas, excited to come back next year,†he said. “We’re aiming to make this event bigger than we ever anticipated.â€
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