{"id":31797,"date":"2026-08-08T02:46:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=31797"},"modified":"2026-08-08T02:46:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:46:10","slug":"osheaga-festival-draws-near-record-crowd-more-canada-music-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=31797","title":{"rendered":"Osheaga Festival Draws Near-Record Crowd &#038; More Canada Music News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tOsheaga\u2019s 19th edition was one for the books.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe three-day music and arts festival and Montreal just wrapped up its 19th year by logging one of its most successful editions, drawing its second-highest-ever attendance with over 151,000 fans. It\u2019s proof that one of the biggest festivals in Canada continues to get even bigger, with two out of three nights fully sold out this year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"injected-related-story \/\/ lrv-u-align-items-center u-align-items-flex-start@mobile-max  lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest  lrv-u-flex lrv-u-flex-direction-column@mobile-max u-width-710@desktop lrv-u-margin-lr-auto lrv-u-margin-tb-1 u-margin-b-250@mobile-max u-margin-t-275@mobile-max u-margin-t-250@desktop u-margin-b-250@desktop u-margin-lr-n1@mobile-max lrv-u-border-b-1 lrv-u-border-color-brand-secondary-dark lrv-u-border-t-1 lrv-u-padding-tb-1  lrv-u-padding-tb-1@mobile-max lrv-u-padding-r-1@mobile-max lrv-u-padding-l-00@mobile-max u-grid-gap-18@desktop u-grid-gap-0@mobile-max\">\n<h3 id=\"title-of-a-story\" class=\"c-title  a-article-related-module-title a-article-related-module-title--color-brand-primary a-font-accent-xl u-font-weight-800 u-letter-spacing-0179 u-line-height-normal lrv-u-color-grey-dark bb-pro-related-stories-label lrv-u-text-transform-uppercase\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\tRelated\t\t<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<div class=\"injected-related-story-wrapper lrv-u-flex lrv-u-justify-content-space-between  a-children-border-vertical a-children-border--grey a-children-border-width-050\">\n<div class=\"o-card  lrv-u-width-100p\">\n<div class=\"o-card__image-wrap lrv-u-flex-shrink-0 u-width-191 u-width-150@mobile-max\">\n<div class=\"c-lazy-image   lrv-u-margin-b-00@mobile-max u-width-130px@mobile-max lrv-u-margin-b-00@mobile-max\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/pop\/tate-mcrae-fans-know-stands-politically-maga-1236308142\/\" class=\"c-lazy-image__link lrv-a-unstyle-link\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"a-crop-6x4 a-crop-3x2@mobile-max\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-lazy-image__img lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest lrv-u-width-100p lrv-u-display-block lrv-u-height-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/P107FI6P.jpg?w=237&amp;h=147&amp;crop=1\" alt=\"Tate McRae\" srcset=\"\" data-lazy-sizes=\"auto\" height=\"\" width=\"\"\/><\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tOsheaga was Canada down this year, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/tate-mcrae\/\">Tate McRae<\/a> helped make history. The Tate-headlined Saturday date (Aug. 1) was sold out nearly three weeks in advance, the fastest sellout ever for an individual day. The sales were largely driven by the Canadian hitmaker\u2019s headlining slot and its massive hype. Evenko, the promoter behind the festival, already forecasted the sellout in May.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tMcRae took the stage for her\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fca.billboard.com%2Fmusic%2Fconcerts%2Ftate-mcrae-osheaga-recap-setlist-review&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cceggertsen%40billboard.com%7Cca234881fd3d42c4daff08def4c178fc%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639217309001550941%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=xxygzWPFfPmZlowEL4khkircb9n3KjmXd7uAh2GpiqQ%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">first-ever festival headline appearance<\/a>\u00a0in her home country while simultaneously becoming the first Canadian to headline the festival since Arcade Fire replaced the Foo Fighters in 2022, and The Weeknd headlined in 2017.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe local spirit was remarkably high this year, with about 50% of this year\u2019s crowd comprised of Quebec fans, up from about 40% last year. One of the weekend\u2019s most anticipated moments came in the form of Quebec heroes Angine de Poitrine, who played a surprise set on Saturday. The band was booked in May, prior to their legendary record-setting set at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fca.billboard.com%2Fmusic%2Fconcerts%2Fangine-de-poitrine-montreal-jazz-festival-records&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cceggertsen%40billboard.com%7Cca234881fd3d42c4daff08def4c178fc%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639217309001606871%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=9RkcBJbOoLPSg2nhL6OgZ9i%2BGGQCJrzMI%2BsB1%2FoTVG4%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Montreal Jazz Fest<\/a>. They were saved as a last-minute surprise because sales were already steady, so they added some last-minute buzz. Osheaga initially soft-launched their appearance by including their name within the lineup on select merch pieces just one day prior to their performance, and later revealed them the following morning, giving ticketholders a guaranteed opportunity to see the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fca.billboard.com%2Fmusic%2Ffeatures%2Fangine-de-poitrine-cover-story&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cceggertsen%40billboard.com%7Cca234881fd3d42c4daff08def4c178fc%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639217309001917041%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=IeFskf%2BqEY66qqjw6fiDqJtYZ4c2h5%2FEdQprwKn2zes%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">world\u2019s most viral band<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe festival has proven its knack for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fca.billboard.com%2Fbusiness%2Ftouring%2Fosheaga-booking-2025&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cceggertsen%40billboard.com%7Cca234881fd3d42c4daff08def4c178fc%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639217309001985222%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=%2B%2BH59QhzH4wufH%2Fs%2FATKLnTFcBmmIcu0rHOWI3ok5bc%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">booking bubbling acts right before they spike<\/a>\u00a0in popularity, and this year\u2019s edition followed suit with that trend. Rising singer-songwriter Stella Lefty, who is currently\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fca.billboard.com%2Fmusic%2Fchart-beat%2Fgracie-abrams-canadian-albums-chart&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cceggertsen%40billboard.com%7Cca234881fd3d42c4daff08def4c178fc%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639217309002032292%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=2bDKCMniW2OrkcfSMgkoZ1qed28vPpSVNZNHs489%2Bs8%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">charting in the top 5<\/a>\u00a0of the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 and Billboard Hot 100, filled up the Mountain stage during her ripe 3 pm set, and Malcolm Todd played the primary main stage after earning millions of new listeners in the past months, since the lineup first dropped.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tAs nostalgia continues to blanket 2026, this year\u2019s Osheaga was a full-circle edition including several throwbacks to its own programming from 10 years ago, including Lorde\u2019s return as a headliner and other Osheaga alumni making their way back to Parc Jean-Drapeau.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cZara Larsson played in 2017. She\u2019s had a great career, but now all of a sudden she\u2019s huge,\u201d Osheaga founder <strong>Nick Farkas<\/strong> tells <em>Billboard Canada<\/em>. The Swedish pop star pulled one of the weekend\u2019s biggest crowds amid her major chart resurgence. Fans rocking bright colours and flowers filled the audience across both main stages, eager to hear Larsson\u2019s hits both old (\u201cLush Life\u201d) and new (\u201cMidnight Sun\u201d and \u201cStateside\u201d). The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fca.billboard.com%2Fculture%2Ftv-film%2Fheated-rivalry-i-ll-believe-in-anything-wolf-parade&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cceggertsen%40billboard.com%7Cca234881fd3d42c4daff08def4c178fc%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639217309002066520%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=En%2Bad5T1PxS6NVDKyN32hnFF%2BAq8L6yhW8hfpy5%2BWes%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Heated Rivalry<\/em> craze<\/a>\u00a0also led Wolf Parade to the festival once more, with Farkas adding that it was \u201cso much fun having Wolf Parade back.\u201d The band famously played the inaugural edition of Osheaga and made their second decennial return this year, now having played in 2006, 2016 and 2026, a run that speaks to their own longevity as well as that of the festival.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tRead more\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fca.billboard.com%2Fbusiness%2Ftouring%2Fosheaga-2026-attendance-record&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cceggertsen%40billboard.com%7Cca234881fd3d42c4daff08def4c178fc%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639217309002107515%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=TAJkEwpLI0tSGSweor5CSgmX0%2FA75J3gFEUT6reSawE%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. \u2014\u00a0<em>Stefano Rebuli<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"heading larva \/\/   a-font-secondary-fancy-xl   \">\n\t\tOVO Golf Classic Doubles Its Support For The Remix Project and Scarborough Shooting Stars Foundation in 2026\t<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tOctober\u2019s Very Own upped the ante for its second OVO Golf Classic last Thursday (July 30).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe clothing and culture brand co-founded by global superstar <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/artist\/drake\/\">Drake<\/a> took over all three award-winning courses at TPC Osprey Valley, home of the Canadian Open, for a spirited day of music, sport and community in support of the Remix Project and the Scarborough Shooting Stars Foundation. It was hosted by eTalk\u2019s Tyrone Edwards, a Remix alumnus himself, and sports broadcaster Rod Black, the voice of the Scarborough Shooting Stars.<\/p>\n<div class=\"injected-related-story \/\/ lrv-u-align-items-center u-align-items-flex-start@mobile-max  lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest  lrv-u-flex lrv-u-flex-direction-column@mobile-max u-width-710@desktop lrv-u-margin-lr-auto lrv-u-margin-tb-1 u-margin-b-250@mobile-max u-margin-t-275@mobile-max u-margin-t-250@desktop u-margin-b-250@desktop u-margin-lr-n1@mobile-max lrv-u-border-b-1 lrv-u-border-color-brand-secondary-dark lrv-u-border-t-1 lrv-u-padding-tb-1  lrv-u-padding-tb-1@mobile-max lrv-u-padding-r-1@mobile-max lrv-u-padding-l-00@mobile-max u-grid-gap-18@desktop u-grid-gap-0@mobile-max\">\n<h3 id=\"title-of-a-story\" class=\"c-title  a-article-related-module-title a-article-related-module-title--color-brand-primary a-font-accent-xl u-font-weight-800 u-letter-spacing-0179 u-line-height-normal lrv-u-color-grey-dark bb-pro-related-stories-label lrv-u-text-transform-uppercase\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\tRelated\t\t<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<div class=\"injected-related-story-wrapper lrv-u-flex lrv-u-justify-content-space-between  a-children-border-vertical a-children-border--grey a-children-border-width-050\">\n<div class=\"o-card  lrv-u-width-100p\">\n<div class=\"o-card__image-wrap lrv-u-flex-shrink-0 u-width-191 u-width-150@mobile-max\">\n<div class=\"c-lazy-image   lrv-u-margin-b-00@mobile-max u-width-130px@mobile-max lrv-u-margin-b-00@mobile-max\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/music\/rb-hip-hop\/drake-cash-prizes-cars-strong-women-stronger-drinks-event-1236309565\/\" class=\"c-lazy-image__link lrv-a-unstyle-link\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"a-crop-6x4 a-crop-3x2@mobile-max\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-lazy-image__img lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest lrv-u-width-100p lrv-u-display-block lrv-u-height-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2089852875-e1770920504696.jpg?w=237&amp;h=147&amp;crop=1\" alt=\"Drake\" srcset=\"\" data-lazy-sizes=\"auto\" height=\"\" width=\"\"\/><\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe event was produced by creative marketing and experiential events agency\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthatgood.co%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cceggertsen%40billboard.com%7Cca234881fd3d42c4daff08def4c178fc%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639217309001360475%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=6vo%2Bzk%2F1r6EKdO2ASFJNEKLOJQVwJSQwf0YUfcsfPoc%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">That Good<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tWhile\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fca.billboard.com%2Fpartner%2Fovo-charity-golf-classic&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cceggertsen%40billboard.com%7Cca234881fd3d42c4daff08def4c178fc%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639217309001418760%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Vc%2Fze58AQI0gPZ1aIfYS4XG57EbOtBXKx1plVsuRmTI%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">2025\u2019s first edition<\/a>\u00a0set a standard for the event, the second year was even bigger. There were 91 teams (up from 36 last year), totalling 364 golfers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThat included some major names from music, culture and sports: the NBA\u2019s Devin Booker and Jordan Clarkson, football star Johnny Manziel and soccer star Jozy Altidore, OVO Sound artists Smiley, Nineteen85, Roy Woods and Jordan Ullman of Majid Jordan, social media stars Glamzilla, MD Motivator, Kyle Foregard of the NELK Boys and many more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tFollowing an 11 a.m. shotgun start, golfers spent the day playing through a superpowered version of the acclaimed golf course. Every hole was activated with exclusive giveaways and challenges, adding an extra layer to the action on the course. <em>Billboard Canada <\/em>was the partner for hole 11, letting participants star on their version of a <em>Billboard<\/em> cover between swings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tAll the money raised went toward the Remix Project and the Scarborough Shooting Stars Foundation, the charitable arm of a Canadian Elite Basketball League team, funding youth programs that provide access to sport, mentorship and opportunity for under-resourced youth in the community.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tAt the end of the day, a helicopter dropped a set of balls onto the course, each with a potential big prize including a suite for 20 people for a Toronto Blue Jays Game, tickets to any NFL game, a $1000 OVO gift card, a Gretzky Hockey School jersey signed by Wayne Gretzky and a one-night, two-round stay for four golfers at TPC Osprey in 2027.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tAfter everyone was done on the course, a special meal and reception fed and entertained the star-studded crowd.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tRead more\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fca.billboard.com%2Fpartner%2Fovo-golf-classic-2026&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cceggertsen%40billboard.com%7Cca234881fd3d42c4daff08def4c178fc%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639217309001490279%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ziZKWh9WoGIbWX9hY0Iuty%2FV9SFvnJMKPg2WM%2FIcoYA%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. \u2014\u00a0<em>Billboard Canada<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"heading larva \/\/   a-font-secondary-fancy-xl   \">\n\t\tDeparture Executive Producer Steps Down After Two-Year Run\t<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t<strong>Kevin Barton<\/strong> has stepped down from his role as executive producer at Departure.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tBarton held the role for both years of the conference and festival since it was\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fca.billboard.com%2Fbusiness%2Fbusiness-news%2Fcanadian-music-week-neill-dixon-retires&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cceggertsen%40billboard.com%7Cca234881fd3d42c4daff08def4c178fc%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639217309002150159%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=vd5c8k1N4SR3TLwrVDlrYnWcxkr6R3avk%2FVpXFBQX2w%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">bought by Oak View Group and Loft Entertainment<\/a>\u00a0in 2024 and rebranded from Canadian Music Week. Barton remains a partner and shareholder at Loft, the Toronto-based music company co-founded by former Bell Media and Universal Music Canada executive <strong>Randy Lennox<\/strong> and film producer <strong>Jeffrey Latimer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"injected-related-story \/\/ lrv-u-align-items-center u-align-items-flex-start@mobile-max  lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest  lrv-u-flex lrv-u-flex-direction-column@mobile-max u-width-710@desktop lrv-u-margin-lr-auto lrv-u-margin-tb-1 u-margin-b-250@mobile-max u-margin-t-275@mobile-max u-margin-t-250@desktop u-margin-b-250@desktop u-margin-lr-n1@mobile-max lrv-u-border-b-1 lrv-u-border-color-brand-secondary-dark lrv-u-border-t-1 lrv-u-padding-tb-1  lrv-u-padding-tb-1@mobile-max lrv-u-padding-r-1@mobile-max lrv-u-padding-l-00@mobile-max u-grid-gap-18@desktop u-grid-gap-0@mobile-max\">\n<h3 id=\"title-of-a-story\" class=\"c-title  a-article-related-module-title a-article-related-module-title--color-brand-primary a-font-accent-xl u-font-weight-800 u-letter-spacing-0179 u-line-height-normal lrv-u-color-grey-dark bb-pro-related-stories-label lrv-u-text-transform-uppercase\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\tRelated\t\t<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<div class=\"injected-related-story-wrapper lrv-u-flex lrv-u-justify-content-space-between  a-children-border-vertical a-children-border--grey a-children-border-width-050\">\n<div class=\"o-card  lrv-u-width-100p\">\n<div class=\"o-card__image-wrap lrv-u-flex-shrink-0 u-width-191 u-width-150@mobile-max\">\n<div class=\"c-lazy-image   lrv-u-margin-b-00@mobile-max u-width-130px@mobile-max lrv-u-margin-b-00@mobile-max\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/pro\/canadian-music-week-changes-name-departure-rebrand\/\" class=\"c-lazy-image__link lrv-a-unstyle-link\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"a-crop-6x4 a-crop-3x2@mobile-max\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-lazy-image__img lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest lrv-u-width-100p lrv-u-display-block lrv-u-height-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Jackie-Dean-Tom-Pistore-Kevin-Barton-Randy-Lennox-departure-billboard-pro-1260.jpeg?w=237&amp;h=147&amp;crop=1\" alt=\"Jackie Dean, Tom Pistore, Kevin Barton, Randy Lennox\" srcset=\"\" data-lazy-sizes=\"auto\" height=\"\" width=\"\"\/><\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cI\u2019m concluding my role as Executive Producer of Departure Festival + Conference,\u201d Barton tells\u00a0<em>Billboard Canada<\/em>. \u201cAfter spending the past two years helping guide its evolution, it feels like the right time for me to begin a new chapter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tIn March, shortly before the second edition of Departure, the Canadian Arts &amp; Fashion Awards (CAFA) announced Barton would be taking an expanded role as chief strategy officer. At the time, Barton clarified on Instagram that he would continue in his roles at Departure and Loft.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tBarton says his decision to move on from Departure was not driven by his expanded role at CAFA, but rather by a desire to focus on new projects.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cI\u2019ve reached a point where I want to focus on a broader portfolio of work, including CAFA, strategic advisory projects, and developing new initiatives around culture, business and innovation,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThroughout his career, Barton has bridged the worlds of music, fashion and art, building the Urban Music department at Universal Music Canada and also working in film and photography.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tCanadian Music Week\u2019s transformation into Departure also\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fca.billboard.com%2Fbusiness%2Fbusiness-news%2Fdeparture-canadian-music-week&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cceggertsen%40billboard.com%7Cca234881fd3d42c4daff08def4c178fc%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639217309002192512%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=wk0ieNQdDlpOvWTWEssw%2B0eesBYKlnop1H67GsvR9iA%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">shifted from its longtime identity<\/a>\u00a0as the Canadian music industry\u2019s leading conference into one that also focused on media, technology, film, fashion and other cultural subjects.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t\u201cWhen I joined, one of my priorities was helping reimagine the festival\u2019s identity to better reflect where culture was heading,\u201d Barton says, expanding across creative sectors to reflect \u201chow today\u2019s artistic communities actually collaborate and create.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\t<em>Billboard Canada<\/em>\u00a0learned there were layoffs following this year\u2019s edition of Departure. Barton attributes that to seasonal staffing, which he says is common across the live events industry. \u201cOrganizations expand to deliver the festival and then realign afterward as they transition into planning, partnership development and long-term strategy for the next edition.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tRead more\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fca.billboard.com%2Fbusiness%2Fbusiness-news%2Fdeparture-executive-producer-steps-down-after-two-year-run&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cceggertsen%40billboard.com%7Cca234881fd3d42c4daff08def4c178fc%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C639217309002239115%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=tfmxeCZ0cZa79J0So%2BEjEkHZfHjvbKtUT8yZUetbUiE%3D&amp;reserved=0\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. \u2014\u00a0<em>Richard Trapunski<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ubpass.co\/billboard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/2HpFicp.png\" alt=\"Billboard VIP Pass\" style=\"max-width: 100%;height: auto\"\/><br \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Osheaga\u2019s 19th edition was one for the books. The three-day music and arts festival and Montreal just wrapped up its 19th year by logging one of its most successful editions, drawing its second-highest-ever attendance with over 151,000 fans. It\u2019s proof that one of the biggest festivals in Canada continues to get even bigger, with two&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31798,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/P107FI3K.jpg?w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31797","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31797","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=31797"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31797\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/31798"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=31797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=31797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=31797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}