Toronto has always been a city that’s creative, bold, and unafraid to evolve. That spirit was alive and thriving during Departure Festival, a newly reimagined version of the long-running Canadian Music Week. As someone working on the content team, I had the unique opportunity to experience the festival from the inside—and it was nothing short of inspiring.
Formerly focused solely on music, Departure expanded its scope this year to include comedy, tech, media, and more, bringing fresh energy and broader conversations to Toronto’s cultural scene. The festival spanned six days, more than 40 venues, and hundreds of speakers and performers, from Dave Chappelle and Matty Matheson to panels with Meta, TikTok, and Amazon Music execs. With such a dynamic range of voices and programming, it’s safe to say that Departure’s first edition was a successful leap forward.
I was fortunate to work with the Departure content team as a photographer, capturing moments throughout the festival. My base was Hotel X on Lakeshore, which served as the central hub for many of the conference sessions and panels. That role gave me access to an incredible variety of events. Two that stood out were the conversations with Murda Beatz and Matty Matheson. Both of them spoke candidly about their respective journeys, in music (Murda Beatz) and culinary, then later on television (Matty Matheson), and offered an honest look behind the scenes of the industry, making the whole entertainment industry feel much more approachable. It was a great reminder the industry isn’t just built on superstar personas—it’s also powered by grounded, talented people, who can even come from Ontario, and who simply honed their craft and found their way.
The festival kicked off with the JUNO’s “Inside the Song” panel—the unofficial opener of Departure that brought together some of Canada’s most successful songwriters. They spoke candidly about their creative processes and the stories behind their biggest hits. Beyond being an insightful event for aspiring musicians, it doubled as a great networking opportunity. With hors d’oeuvres and complimentary drinks, the atmosphere was perfect for sparking conversations and making new industry connections.
As a member of the content team, I primarily covered first-floor events, which spanned a wide range of topics—from music supervision and music licensing to AI’s growing role in the music industry. Sessions were hosted in partnership with major players like Live Nation and The Recording Academy (The GRAMMYs). The ”Future of Sponsorships” panel, presented by Live Nation, stood out as particularly engaging, offering practical insights on how artists and brands can work together in meaningful ways and was filled with great audience participation.
The next day featured programming curated by Radiodays North America, with panels exploring the evolving media landscape in the digital era. Many discussions focused on radio’s place in today’s streaming-driven world, and included insights from long-standing media professionals with decades of experience. As someone who has studied media, it was refreshing to hear longtime professionals discuss how the medium we love is still adapting, surviving—and in many ways, thriving.
Between sessions, I found myself hanging out at The Barracks, an outdoor lounge area with food trucks, a live DJ, and an energetic, come-and-go vibe. It became a go-to spot for creatives and professionals to mix, mingle, and grab a breather from the bustle inside the venue. I managed to capture some genuine moments there on camera—spontaneous laughs, casual collabs, and future connections being born over tacos.
While I didn’t catch every music concert, the lineup was strong. Artists like Mustafa, Sadboi, and Avenoir delivered powerful performances, along with rising local acts that filled venues across the city with fresh sound and serious talent. The range of performance was a reminder that Toronto’s music scene is as diverse as its people.
Departure Festival managed to do something rare: honor the legacy of Canadian Music Week while stepping into something bigger, broader, and more inclusive. It was a celebration of where Canadian music and media have been—and where they’re heading next.