Presented by Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group (OVG), the annual festival—arriving during the same week long associated with Canadian Music Week—continues its focus on spotlighting the next generation of talent. Selected from thousands of global submissions, this year’s showcase brings together rising artists from across Canada, the United States, and around the world, transforming Toronto into a city-wide stage for new music.

Designed as a launch pad for developing artists, the showcase offers audiences the chance to discover breakout acts early in their careers while giving performers access to a range of professional development opportunities. Alongside their live performances, artists can participate in networking events, media training sessions, and industry programming tied to Departure’s conference component.

New for 2026 is the festival’s Rising Sound Artists initiative, which highlights six standout performers selected from the broader showcase roster. This year’s featured artists include Chloe Tang, Bianca Espino, Tyra Jutai, the neverminds, Cherrykim, and Kyle Wildfern, who’s recent album What A Life! was included in RANGE Magazine’s Best Of 2025 coverage.

Beyond performing in a dedicated showcase, Rising Sound artists will receive additional industry exposure through curated networking opportunities, professional development sessions, and exclusive industry events designed to help elevate their careers.

“Departure has always been about discovery, bringing together talented artists and providing a platform for connection and creativity,” says Kevin Barton, executive producer at Departure Festival + Conference. “We were blown away by the artist submissions this year and proud to present an incredible lineup of performers who deserve the spotlight to shine and thrive. We look forward to introducing this talented group to Toronto audiences and can’t wait to see their careers take off to new heights.”

Festival passes, which grant access to showcases and film screenings throughout the week, are currently available for $65.

For tickets, artist information, and the full showcase lineup, visit departureto.com.