SUM 41 FRONTMAN DERYCK WHIBLEY AMPS UP DEPARTURE FESTIVAL + CONFERENCE
The Departure Festival + Conference from Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group (OVG) is pleased to announce that legendary Canadian musician, songwriter, and producer Deryck Whibley, best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the punk rock band Sum 41, will headline an on-stage conversation. The event will take place on May 7 at The Bluma Appel Theatre inside the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. Departure 2026 presented by TD runs from May 4-10 at various venues in the heart of downtown Toronto. More information is available at departureto.com.
In this candid and wide-ranging conversation at Departure, Deryck Whibley will sit down with acclaimed music journalist Karen Bliss to reflect on a career that helped define a generation of rock music and what comes next. From the decision to sell his catalogue to navigating the transition beyond Sum 41, Whibley will open up about legacy, ownership, and the realities of evolving as an artist and entrepreneur.
The conversation will also explore his latest venture into the world of consumer brands with his new clothing company, offering insight into how artists are building businesses beyond music. Honest, forward-looking, and deeply personal, this session will offer a rare look at reinvention, longevity, and the mindset required to keep moving forward.”
“We’re honoured to welcome Deryck to the Departure stage this year,” said Pat Murphy, Executive Director and Head of Programming at Departure Festival + Conference. “He’s an artist who has helped shape the sound of a generation, and he continues to push forward with the same fearless creativity that defined his career from the start. This will be a compelling conversation about legacy, transformation, and what it means to evolve as both an artist and entrepreneur in today’s music landscape.
Deryck Whibley Links
Departure Festival Links
Photo Credit: Ariana Whibley
