"It's definitely fancier," said a fellow festivalgoer when I asked about the difference between the old Canadian Music Week and its new, revamped model, Departure Festival + Conference. While I didn't personally attend CMW in yesteryears, previous promotions don't seem to come close to what's been invested in this new festival. Comedy, music and film programming, plus a conference with guests like Matty Matheson and Jessie Reyez? They don't actually perform, but still.
To its credit, the performing lineup features local favourites like Mustafa and SadBoi, as well as acts we don't get to see nearly enough of.
The festival kick-off show welcomed Montreal-based band Planet Giza. Listed as a "Premium" music experience on Departure's website, I expected this to be a turnt Monday night — but at the outset, Lee's Palace was barely filled. Wondering how the openers dealt with the turnout? Well, indie skaterboi Seago mostly took it like a champ, putting in maximum effort with only a few comments about the crowd's demeanour. (I was dancing the whole time, mind you.)
Emma Beko and band haunted the stage in what felt like a cross between a Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode and a rap circle: slow '90s rock guitar mixed with defiant rhymes that quickly upped the tempo. DijahSB brought their infectiously smooth house raps to the stage, a perfect precursor to the even smoother headliner.
Maybe it's the confidence that comes with headlining, but Planet Giza were unhurried; they were happy if we came along, but they were going to have fun regardless. As producers, Rami B and DoomX hung in the back, mixing layers upon layers of their dreamy alternative hip-hop/R&B soundscapes, while lead singer Tony Stone took centre stage.
The set started slow, beginning with newer releases before building its tempo as the trio dug into more familiar tracks. Their ease and camaraderie with the crowd had me feeling like I was dancing with friends, Planet Giza included.
Unfortunately, the groove was cut short as 45 minutes in, as Planet Giza played their last song followed by a meagre encore. I've never experienced a headlining set this short, but with three openers, it must have been a tight fit. The now-charged people around me had fun, but we'll have to wait till next time the band touches down in Toronto.
After a brief rendezvous at Hotel X, Departure's official Conference headquarters, I headed to the Axis Club for my second show of the festival on Tuesday (May 6). As iLoveMakonnen once said, "The club goin' up on a Tuesday," and the atmosphere at Avenoir's headline gig at the Axis Club proved it. The line to get into the venue was full of miniskirts, crop tops, and decidedly non-weekday attire.
Avenoir has the numbers on Spotify; over three million monthly listeners, to be exact. However, he's made a brand out of being enshrouded in a mystery, so I still wasn't expecting such a packed house. In the years since my introduction to the Edmonton-based R&B singer when he opened for Chiiild in Vancouver, he's obviously amassed a sizeable fanbase, which skewed teenage-heavy.
Apart from a few soulful croons, I couldn't really discern much of opener Maz B's set. He didn't introduce himself until the end, and, although his voice is undoubtedly beautiful, his shy stage presence didn't offer much personality. The crowd paid rapt attention, though — or at least their phones did, with one girl taking pictures before asking, "Who's that?"
At 9:16, the restless crowd greeted Avenoir with glee. The visuals behind him, as well as stellar instrumental support from the band and the stunning sound mixing, all lent to an immersive, misty atmosphere. Avenoir was less awkward than the last time I'd seen him, but it took a while for him to fully loosen up. In the crowd, there wasn't much singing or dancing; it might have been the somber nature of the languid melodies, or maybe they could have used a few prompts.
In the second half of Avenoir's set, the bar was raised — alongside the tempo — with more bravado on his part, which the crowd responded to gamely with more singalong moments; the artist being received with genuine excitement at every phrase was wholesome to witness. We were also treated to a sit-down serenade, which really spotlighted his gorgeous voice.
It's clear that Avenoir has well-deserved loyal support, and I'm excited to see the growth continue as he approaches his full potential and even more people tune in.
While the first two days of Departure drew very different crowds, offering so much left to look forward to from the event's quote-unquote inaugural edition.