SOCAN and Seeing Red Announce Guests and Programming as Part of Their Ongoing Collaboration With Departure
SOCAN Songwriters Series Showcases Artists Across Toronto, with Conference Appearances by Chantal Kreviazuk and Murda Beatz
Seeing Red Presents the Voices of Impact Panel Highlighting Canada’s Most Influential Indigenous Voices
Conference Schedule and Passes are now available at departureto.com
Toronto, ON – April 24, 2025 – Departure Festival + Conference today announced additional programming led by two of the event’s industry partners, SOCAN and Seeing Red. These programs and partnerships are a reflection of Departure’s commitment to celebrating creative excellence and diverse voices in music and media.
As part of the SOCAN Songwriters Series, conference passholders will gain exclusive access to a songwriting masterclass with Chantal Kreviazuk, the multi-platinum, award-winning artist behind hits for Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne and more. The SOCAN series also features a conversation with Canadian hitmaker Murda Beatz, adding to a robust schedule of sessions designed to inspire and elevate the next generation of creators. Beyond the conference, the SOCAN Songwriters Series will take over venues throughout Toronto, featuring a stellar lineup for the Black Music Songwriters Circle and spotlighting plenty of other acclaimed and emerging artists performing original work. Festivalgoers and Conference attendees alike will have access to these intimate showcases across the city.
A full list of participating artists in the SOCAN Songwriters Series appears at the end of this release.
An early supporter of Departure, Seeing Red presents the powerful panel Voices of Impact: Indigenous Leaders Shaping the Future, live at the Departure Conference at Hotel X. An Indigenous-owned media company, Seeing Red is committed to uplifting Indigenous storytellers and ensuring authentic representation across all media platforms.
The conversation—led by journalist Kelly Boutsalis—will bring together some of Canada’s most influential Indigenous changemakers including previously announced guests Autumn Peltier, Notorious Cree, and Shayla Stonechild for a candid and inspiring discussion on culture, activism, storytelling, and the power of Indigenous leadership. Additional Indigenous artists featured at Departure include Ila Barker, Lancelot Knight, Natasha Fisher, One Way Streets, Princess Melia, Siibii and Tia Wood.
Taking place from May 6-11, Departure will span 40+ venues across Toronto and showcase 100+ emerging and established artists.
SOCAN Songwriter Series Lineup
Tuesday, May 6
Songwriter Masterclass
Location: Hotel X
Lineup: Chantal Kreviazuk
Host: Cameron Kennedy, VP Creative, SOCAN
Black Music Songwriter’s Circle
Location: El Mocambo
Lineup: Yoko Gold, Kalisway, BAWAH, DijahSB, EverythingOShauN, Omega Mighty, AHI
Host: Lord Quest, Creative Executive, SOCAN
Out Loud
Location: Gladstone House
Lineup: Ming, Mint Simon, Tafari Anthony, Ralph
Host: Guillaume Moffet
Mirror Ball
Location: The Burdock
Lineup: Chirine, Divine Lightbody, Nia Nadurata
Host: Adriel Smiley
Wednesday, May 7
Mirror Ball
Location: The Burdock
Lineup: Evan Redsky, Sister Ray, Emily Schultz
Host: Kaitlyn Swan
Thursday, May 8
Nashville North
Location: Cameron House
Lineup:
Round 1: Haley McNeil, Stephen James Porter, Parker Graye
Round 2: Dayna Reid, Sully Burrows, Ryan Langdon
Host: Patrick Bateman
Friday, May 9
Cookin’ Beats
Location: Hotel X
Lineup: Murda Beatz
Host: Houtan Hodania, Creative Executive, SOCAN
Saturday, May 10
Amped and Unplugged
Location: Rivoli
Lineup: Eric Brandon, Housewife, lemin, Kyla Charter
Host: Patrick Bateman
The Breakout Circle
Location: Supermarket
Lineup: Sam Drysdale, Noah Derksen, Leah Jane, Kaya Ko
Host: Guillaume Moffet
Sunday, May 11
Producer Playback
Location: Rivoli
Lineup: Derek Hoffman, Kayla Diamond, Hill Kourkoutis, Tompa
Visit departureto.com for the complete lineup of artists, venues and schedule of events.
Departure Festival + Conference is made possible with the support of Ontario Creates.
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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.
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Touchwood PR
departure@touchwoodpr.com