#FIRSTLOOK: DEPARTURE FESTIVAL + CONFERENCE 2025 PREVIEW

By Justin Waldman

The Departure Festival + Conference is kicking off its first year this year and it is starting with a bang! Formerly known as Canadian Music Week, Departure Festival is combining Music, Comedy, Tech, and the Arts, to bring forth an incredible first year with talks, performances, and must see events and awards. We are going to highlight five events we cannot wait for. In no particular order here are our top events to look forward to at the Departure Festival to look forward to.

DAVE CHAPPELLE
Does this man need any introduction. Despite his outspoken comments that certainly make him a polarizing figure, there is no denying how influential and massive of a name Dave Chapelle is, he is arguably on the “Mount Rushmore” for most people when it comes to Comedy, so having him be part of the inaugural Departure Festival is a huge feet.

MATTY MATHESON
If you don’t know the name Matty Matheson, where have you been? He is a multifaceted Entrepreneur who does everything from launch restaurants or be partners in them (Bar Clams, Prime Seafood Palace, Maker Pizza, Ca Phe Rang, Rizzo’s House of Parm) and is going to be sitting back and talking at the conference, he is also an Actor whose been part of principal Cast in F/X‘s The Bear.

BRYAN ADAMS/DALLAS GREEN/MAX KERMAN/SHAGGY CONVERSATIONS
I don’t think any of these men need an introduction at all, Green who is the co-lead singer of Alexisonfire and the lead of City and Colour, as well as Max Kerman whose on a book tour of his newest book and the frontman of The Arkells, and then Shaggy and legendary Canadian Bryan Adams do not need an introduction, they’re iconic in their own right and have multiple acclaims and having the privilege to hear them talk about their careers would be a highlight.

HOW DID THIS GET MADE?
If you’ve never heard of this podcast then you’ve been missing out, it’s a dynamic trio of Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas and June Diane Raphael and they discuss how some of the most baffling and questionable movies ever got made. It’s a hilarious insightful podcast that simply cannot be missed.

DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979/QUAVO SHOWS
Two of the premium music events happening as part of Departure Festival this year, with Death From Above 1979 playing two incredibly intimate shows at Lee’s Palace and Quavo playing History. These two shows are must see and a great inclusion and the incredible line up of talent that is part of Departure Festival.

The 2025 Departure Festival + Conference runs from May 6th to May 11th and all information can be found here: https://www.departureto.com, so get ready to take flight!