#FIRSTLOOK: ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING AND SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED FOR DEPARTURE FESTIVAL + CONFERENCE 2026

The Departure Festival + Conference from Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group (OVG) today unveiled additional programming and speakers joining the 2026 edition, including the introduction of a new Summit series spotlighting leaders across music, media, sports, and digital culture; alongside a newly announced honouree joining the already star-studded Departure Honours. Departure takes place May 4-10, 2026 in the heart of downtown Toronto, and the complete schedule is now live at departureto.com.

Departure elevates its Conference program with the debut of Summits, a curated series of high-impact, single-day intensives hosted at our premiere pop-up space, Departure House (58 Berkeley St.). Each Summit serves as a vital ecosystem for interactive dialogue, forward-thinking brand integrations, and industry-specific networking. Panelists include veteran rock agent for Disturbed and Limp Bizkit, Nick Storch and award-winning music supervisor Mary Ramos, known for her work on numerous Quentin Tarantino films, among other speakers.

Ahead of the Toronto Tempo’s inaugural home opener as Canada’s first WNBA team, award-winning entertainer Lilly Singh, who, in addition to her role as a team owner, serves as the franchise’s Chief Hype Officer, will lead the Sports Summit on May 8 and be recognized with the Trailblazer Award at Departure Honours presented by Ticketmaster on May 7 at Koerner Hall.

Departure also announces the SOCAN Songwriters Series at the Jane Mallett Theatre, featuring masterclasses with Grammy-nominated songwriter Jenna Andrews, known for writing hits for BTS and, most recently for KPop Demon Hunters, and for her appearance on Netflix’s Hitmakers, as well as Peter Peter, who recently composed the original music for the hit series Heated Rivalry.

“Departure continues to unite the most innovative voices across industries, and this year’s lineup reflects the global reach and creative excellence that define our community,” said Kevin Barton, Executive Producer at Departure Festival + Conference. “We’re proud to deliver a platform where creative ideas are shared to drive meaningful growth in our industry.”

Additionally, the Departure Festival will present Choir! Choir! Choir! Angel: An Epic Sing-a-long on May 6 at Massey Hall, a powerful, fully participatory live experience where the audience becomes the choir. The evening will feature a selection of surprise songs before culminating in a once-in-a-lifetime performance of “Angel,” featuring special guest Sarah McLachlan. The festival also expands its film programming with an advanced screening of Boots Riley’s new film I Love Boosters, starring Keke Palmer and Naomi Ackie, on May 7 at the Paradise Theatre.

There will also be numerous live music activations throughout the festival including a multi-space takeover on Geary Avenue featuring a diverse selection of artists across one walkable strip with food trucks and pop-ups, Casa Fest, the ultimate outdoor party and music festival with a stacked lineup of performers, and Rock Symphony at Casa Loma.

Full schedule and session details for Departure Festival + Conference are now available at departureto.com.

See below for the newly announced guests added to Departure’s 2026 lineup:

DEPARTURE CONFERENCE:

Ace G, record producer

Adrian Bellaire, composer

Craig “Big C” Mannix, Founder, BIG Consulting

Jamar McNeil, radio host, CHUM 104.5

Joshua Lucas, DJ and musician, promoter

Jem Aswad, Executive Music Editor, Variety

Mark Strong, broadcast host

Skratch Bastid, DJ, producer, promoter

Sophie Simmons, songwriter

Tara Slone, radio host, SiriusXM Canada

SUMMITS:

Access to Summits is included with a Conference Pass or attendees can purchase Single-Summit Tickets.

Creator Summit | Tuesday, May 5

Built to Break Through panel:
Hollywood Jade, creative director, choreographer, TV personality

Rêve, JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter

The New Architecture of Influence: How Creators Are Reshaping Entertainment and Brands (Viral Nation) panel:
Kimberly Moffit, content creator, relationship expert, Ask Kimberly

Mukbang Maxwell, content creator

Mallory Rowan, content creator

Paul Telner, Head of Programming, Viral Nation

Ray Ligaya, Director of Talent, Viral Nation

The Indie Advantage: Scaling With Partners, Not Compromises
Eric Nguyen, SVP, Create Music Group

Daniel Turcotte, President, Monstercat

Whipped Cream, Recording Artist

Live Music Summit presented by Live Nation | Wednesday, May 6

Independent Artist Group & The New Era of Rock Dominance panel:
Nick Storch, Head of Global Artist Development

Jarred Arfa, EVP & Head of Global Music

Pete Pappalardom, EVP and Head of Global Touring

Andrew Countryman, Agent

Michael Arfin, Agent

The Modern Fan Economy – VIP, Pop-Ups & Profit panel:
Noreen Hamid, creative producer, publicity director, and artist/talent consultant

Patrice Whiffen, Founder, Patrice Whiffen Marketing & Events and Honey Music

Global Festival Powerhouses: Scale, Strategy & Survival panel:
Brooke Dunford, Republic Live, Boots and Hearts

Gus Canazio, Rock in Rio, Lollapalooza Brasil

Kevin Lyman, Founder, Warped Tour

Patrick Guay, Evenko (Osheaga, Lasso)

Sync Summit | Wednesday, May 7

Keynote with Mary Ramos (Django Unchained, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood), hosted by music publishing executive Vivian Barclay, presented by Music Publishers Canada

Meet the Music Supervisors panel, presented by Music Publishers Canada:
Sanaz Lavaedian, Senior Vice President, Music – MOCEAN

Sian O’Byrne, Music Supervisor, The Song Rep

Sue Crawshaw, Owner, Pick and Mix Music

Jackie Palazzolo, Music Supervisor, Riot Games

Tony Von Pervieux, Music Supervisor, TVPMusic

Zach Pollakoff, Executive Creative Producer, Heavy Duty Projects

The Sync Pipeline: From Songwriting Session to Screen:
Andrew Briol, music creator and manager

Caron Nightingale, composer

Jenna Andrews, Grammy-nominated songwriter

Maria Alonte, SVP of Synchronization at Big Machine Label Group (BMLG)

Battle of the Music Supervisors & Sync Reps presented by Sync State:
Josh Rabinowitz, music consultant and professor, Brooklyn Music Experience

Mark Garfield, Founder / Co-Director, Pop-Up Music

Matthew Hearon-Smith, renowned music supervisor, Variety’s 2022 “Music Supervisors to Watch”

Sports Summit | Thursday, May 8

Lilly Singh, award-winning host and comedian, Toronto Tempo owner and Chief Hype Officer.

Panels with the Canadian Football League (CFL), Brodie League and FIFA World Cup.

DEPARTURE HONOURS PRESENTED BY TICKETMASTER:

Taking place on Thursday, May 7 at Koerner Hall, the Departure Honours is an exclusive, star-studded celebration recognizing individuals who have shaped Canada’s cultural landscape.

Lilly Singh will receive the Trailblazer Award recognizing her impact in shaping the entertainment landscape. The award is presented by Trailblazers, a committee dedicated to acknowledging and championing women in the broadcast industry who excel in leadership, innovation, and empowering the next generation.

Departure Honours 2025 Trailblazer Award recipient Sarah Cummings will present this award.

“We are proud to recognize an international superstar as our 2026 Trailblazer, an exceptional talent whose achievements continue to inspire audiences and industry professionals alike.” said Nancy Brown Dacko, Chairperson, Trailblazers.

SOCAN SONGWRITERS SERIES:

SOCAN Songwriter Series events are open to Departure Priority, Conference, and Festival Passholders.

Songwriter Masterclass with Jenna Andrews, hosted by Houtan Hodania, Senior Creative Executive at SOCAN

Composer Masterclass with Peter Peter, hosted by Mike Rocha, Director of Film & TV Membership at SOCAN

Additional sessions with the Black Music Songwriters Circle, Nashville North, Pop’s Next Wave, and Producer Playback: South Asian Edition, featuring Jev, Alicia Creti, Dave Thomson, Deep Jandu, and more.

FILM SCREENINGS:

I Love Boosters | Thursday, May 7 at Paradise Theatre

CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! ANGEL: AN EPIC SING-A-LONG
Featuring Special Guest Sarah McLachlan
Wednesday, May 6 at Massey Hall
*Proceeds will support the Sarah McLachlan School of Music, which provides free after-school music programs for children and youth facing barriers to accessing traditional music education.

Supporting music education through the Sarah McLachlan School of Music. Choir! Choir! Choir! offers a powerful, fully participatory live experience where the audience becomes the choir.

Led by C!C!C! directors Nobu and Daveed, and guided by their signature energy, thousands of voices will come together in a celebration of connection and community—learning and performing a series of songs in real time, building toward one iconic, emotional finale.

The night will feature a selection of surprise songs before culminating in a once-in-a-lifetime performance of “Angel,” featuring special guest Sarah McLachlan. Together, audiences and artists will transform a beloved classic into a shared, unforgettable moment.

ACTIVATIONS:

Geary Avenue | May 8 – 10 | multiple locations
Geary Avenue will transform into one of the city’s most exciting live music destinations, with a multi-space takeover spanning Division 88, The Sound Garage at Blood Brothers Brewing, Standard Time, Paradise Grapevine, and the newly opened Geary Station. Showcasing a curated mix of rising talent and household names, the weekend brings together a diverse cross-section of sounds and scenes across one walkable strip, alongside food trucks and street-level activations.

Casa Del Rey presents CASA FEST | Saturday, May 9 at the CityView Lot (20 Polson St.)
The ultimate outdoor party and music festival to kick off summer with 3,500+ of your closest friends. Soundtracked by a stacked lineup including ACRAZE, a surprise guest, and more.

Rock Symphony at Casa Loma | Saturday, May 9
An electrifying night of legendary rock classics comes to life with the Casa Loma Symphony Orchestra in the breathtaking setting of Casa Loma.

About Loft Entertainment
Loft Entertainment invests in culture-defining talent and creative partners to tell their stories. Founded by industry veteran Randy Lennox in Summer 2023, Loft offers the world’s leading artists creative, strategic and business services across all artistic and commercial touchpoints in the music, film and media. Visit loftent.com.

About Oak View Group
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class-owned venues and a client roster of arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.