Departure Festival 2025: A New Chapter in Canadian Arts & Music

A photo of the panel featuring some of the best music supervisors in the industry.

Toronto’s Departure Festival & Conference—the newly reimagined version of Canadian Music Week—felt like a fresh evolution of a familiar event. While it still champions great Canadian music, it now casts a wider net across fashion, comedy, art, and tech, creating new opportunities for creative cross-pollination. Held at Hotel X, the atmosphere was curious, collaborative, and buzzing with energy from across the arts world.

As someone who’s worked in almost every corner of the music business over the past 30+ years—artist, producer, editor, music supervisor, label owner, and for the last 20 years, happily focused on music publishing—I’m always excited to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new talent. Departure didn’t disappoint.

An Expanded Playground for the Arts

One of the most refreshing aspects of this year’s event was the chance to meet people outside of my usual music circles—folks from tech, fashion, and comedy who were there for the same reason: to exchange ideas, be inspired, and forge new creative connections.

Meet the Music Supervisors – Practical, Candid, and Productive

One of the most insightful sessions at Departure was Meet the Music Supervisors, hosted by Music Publishers Canada. The panel featured five supervisors, including internationally respected names like Matt Biffa (Hacks, Sex Education) and Madonna Wade-Reed (All American, Ransom Canyon, Smallville).

They spoke candidly about the current state of the industry. While the recent tariffs between Canada and the U.S. were mentioned, the general consensus was that they are not expected to materialize in a meaningful way. More broadly, there was a sense of optimism that production volume is rebounding.

One common thread, however, was the reality of tighter music budgets. With fewer dollars to work with, the stakes are higher when it comes to finding the right track quickly and affordably. That means who they work with—and how well those people understand their creative and logistical needs—matters more than ever.

They also shared practical advice on pitching: don’t send music just to promote an artist. If your submission doesn’t align with the brief, it could affect your chances of being included in future opportunities. The message was clear—respect the ask, know your audience, and be strategic.

Inside the Song – A Glimpse into Creative Minds

From left to right: Heather Gardner, Scotty Taylor, Caron Nightingale, and Rich Brisson (Eggplant).

This JUNO-sponsored series at The Great Hall offered live performances and fireside chats with artists like Georgia Harmer (yes, Sarah Harmer’s niece), Lindsay Ell (who also moderated), and the incomparable Patrick Watson. It was an intimate and inspiring evening, and I saw a lot of familiar faces from the industry there—clients, colleagues, and friends.

Mentors Lounge – Giving Back, One Conversation at a Time

Mikey Bloom and Caron Nightingale

Once again, I volunteered in the Mentors Lounge—one of my favourite parts of Departure. I spent two hours meeting with rising artists like Bridget Ball (Slaygirl), Cashed Donttin, and Mikey Bloom. Every conversation was energizing. It was clear these are not just talented individuals but people with stories and drive. I walked away feeling recharged and hopeful about the next generation of creators.

---

Check out more photos from the event.

Canadian Sync Awards – Celebrating Our Industry’s Champions

The 5th annual Canadian Sync Awards was a true highlight of Departure. APM was proud to support this event, which honours the outstanding work of Canadian music supervisors across film, television, and advertising. It was especially rewarding to see so many nominated and winning productions that featured APM music—a testament to the talent we represent and the strong partnerships we’ve built across the industry.

It was a night of well-earned recognition for the people who shape the sound of our screens, often behind the scenes. And as a fun touch, our APM-branded Smarties bags were displayed at the registration table and handed out with wristbands. A small gesture, but one that definitely hit the sweet spot (pun intended).

The Takeaway

This industry is full of creatives—storytellers, dreamers, thinkers—and it’s a privilege to spend each day collaborating with them. Whether it’s through licensing the perfect song for a film, helping a supervisor meet their vision on budget, or connecting with emerging talent, Departure reminded me just how lucky I am to do what I do.

Already looking forward to next year.