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Toronto, ON – March 27, 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, Music Publishers Canada, Paquin, Pattison Outdoor, Plugz, Seeing Red, Slaight Music, SOCAN, Ticketmaster, and Toronto Star. 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.
Departure Festival + Conference runs May 6-11 across 40+ Toronto venues, featuring 100+ artists. Apply for media accreditation.
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.
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.
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departure@touchwoodpr.com
