#FIRSTLOOK: DEPARTURE FESTIVAL + CONFERENCE 2025 HIGHLIGHTS – MATTY MATHESON, TEGAN AND SARA, DALLAS GREEN, GRACE VANDERWAAL, “HOW DID THIS GET MADE?” AND MORE

The Departure Festival + Conference has officially taken flight in Toronto, running now through May 11, 2025. Having grown alongside Canadian Music Week, this reimagining of that 44-year Festival focuses on not only Music, by Comedy, Entertainment and Technology forming a hub for the likeminded. Based primarily out of Hotel X and venues surrounding the area, this inaugural edition of the Festival is lifted by some major starpower.

The Departure Honours Gala served to celebrate and honour Canadian creatives and Artists who have made significant impact through their work and coming to receive their flowers this year included chef and actor Matty Matheson, Dallas Green (also known as City and Color), along with presenters and performers Tegan and Sara, Jessie Reyez, Jully Black and so much more. Above this, names like Dave Chappelle, Grace VanderWaal, Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, June Diane Raphael, and more have shows around town.

Some highlights from the Red Carpet, evening hosted by eTalk‘s Tyrone Edwards and Traci Melchor:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by William Wong (@mrwillwong)

Day One of the Festival kicked things off on a high note. Our Justin Waldman and Genevieve Walker sat-in on some fascinating talks with Music icons Bryan Adams and Shaggy as they reflected upon their careers and where they are today. Adams mentioned he’s recording a radio show for IHeart Radio which will be airing soon, setting-up a studio in his hotel suite while he was here. Shaggy who knows Toronto very well, talks about evolution of that Jamaican swag, and being an honourary Canadian having won a JUNO Award for his album HOT SHOT.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by William Wong (@mrwillwong)

Day Two was highlighted not only by the first ever DEPARTURE HONOURS Gala, but guests of the Festival got to attend in-conversations with Matty Matheson (treated to free Matty’s Patty‘s burgers, nonetheless), Dallas Green, and also duo Tegan and Sara focused their conversation on their Tegan and Sara Foundation. Later in the evening we were so lucky to catch Grace VanderWaal on her Childstar Tour at Great Hall where she delivered a spellbinding hour-long set, both stylized and polished.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by William Wong (@mrwillwong)

Justin Waldman will be checking-out HOW DID THIS GET MADE? Podcast at Massey Hall tomorrow night and we’ll be sure to deliver the highlights from this eagerly-awaited show! Be sure to check back!

(Photo/video credit: Justin Waldman/Genevieve Walker/Mr. Will Wong)

#NEWMUSIC: TIA WOOD, DALLAS GREEN, AND TEGAN AND SARA TO APPEAR AT DEPARTURE HONOURS 2025

In advance of Canadian music’s biggest weekend, Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group (OVG) announced Departure Honours, an intimate reception showcasing and celebrating notable changemakers, emerging voices, and milestones within the music industry. Dallas Green (City and Colour), and Tia Wood to perform at the event, alongside a special presentation by Tegan and Sara, highlighting their foundation’s mission to invest in the potential of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

Bringing the community together to honour the past and celebrate the future, Departure Honours includes the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Neill Dixon, former President & CEO of Canadian Music Week (CMW) for his longstanding contribution to the industry; the Independent Achievement Award presented to Dallas Green which recognizes his groundbreaking success as an independent artist, marking the 20th anniversary of his debut album Sometimes (released on Dine Alone Records); and an Industry Achievement Award presented to SOCAN in celebration of the organization’s 100th anniversary. Other honours to be handed out on May 7 include the Trailblazer Award, that goes to a woman in broadcasting who has had a great impact on the industry. More honourees and awards to be announced in the coming weeks. Departure Honours takes place on Wednesday, May 7 at Hotel X Toronto, in its New Fort Hall kicking off at 6:00 p.m. ET.

“In building Departure, we wanted to ensure there was a moment for us to come together to toast some of our industry’s most impactful artists and changemakers,” said Kevin Barton, Executive Producer, Loft Entertainment. “These individuals are instrumental in helping to create the vibrancy of Canada’s arts and music culture and we are proud to host them at our event in May.”

Additionally, Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group (OVG) announce key partners and sponsors for Departure Festival + Conference’s inaugural event. Major players included are Amazon Music, Anthem Entertainment, Beatdapp, Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), Exclaim!, Hotel X Toronto, Live Nation Canada, Music Canada, Paquin, Pattison Outdoor, Plugz, Seeing Red, Slaight Music, SOCAN, Sony Music Canada, Ticketmaster, Toronto Star, and Warner Music Canada. The support of these industry leaders is integral to this year’s Festival and Conference, and provides the framework for Departure to connect artists, fans, and innovators across music, art, comedy, and tech. Taking place from May 6-11, Departure will span 40+ venues across Toronto and showcase 100+ emerging and established artists.

“We are very fortunate to have the support of some of the most respected organizations in the music, entertainment, hospitality and business sectors,” said Tom Pistore, President of Oak View Group Canada. “This level of collaboration and partnership is a true testament to what we are building with Departure and the footprint it will have in the calendar in the years to come.”

Departure also acknowledges support from Ontario Creates, and Canadian broadcasters including Bell Media, Central Ontario Broadcasting, CHIN Radio, Corus, Durham Broadcasting, Evanov Communications, iHeartRadio, Pattison Media, Rogers, SiriusXM Canada, Stingray, and Whiteoaks Communications Group.

Departure Honours ticket pre-sale begins today at 12:00 PM EST at departureto.com with general on-sale beginning on April 8, 2025.