Veteran Canadian rocker Bryan Adams and restauranteur Matty Matheson (executive producer and actor on The Bear) are among the first crop of artists and speakers announced for the Departure Festival + Conference in Toronto.
The inaugural event, which sprang from Canadian Music Week, takes place May 6-11 at the host Hotel X plus venues across the city. Other early confirmations include acclaimed performers Mustafa and Death From Above 1979, and sports and entertainment exec Tim Leiweke.
Departure Festival has expanded from music to also include art, comedy and tech with former JFL (Just for Laughs) president Bruce Hills joining to curate the comedy programming.
“Our first edition of Departure is about honouring our roots in music and growing into other creative spaces while fostering the relationship between artist and industry,” Kevin Barton, executive producer at Loft Entertainment, said in a statement.
“This year’s lineup showcases a wealth of established and emerging talent from across the country and beyond, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue, sharing innovative ideas and building deeper connections within Canada’s dynamic arts community.”
Radiodays North America will take place May 6-8 at Hotel X as a conference for radio, podcasting, and digital audio professionals and includes a collaboration with Adams.
The Comedy Showcase lineup will be announced in February and the Music Showcase in March.
Departure will extend across the city with special events at Stackt Market, The Well and a 40th anniversary celebration of Lee’s Palace plusMustafa on May 6 at Meridian Hall and Death From Above 1979 on May 8-9 at Lee’s Palace.
“Toronto has helped me build a beautiful community I can always come back to and has deepened my love for food,” Matheson said in the news release.
“Toronto is a perfect place to discover something new and really dive in head first. Departure reminds me of those feelings for Toronto — where we thrive on creativity and culture and all the people who make this city special.”
Priority and conference passes are on sale now at departureto.com.