advertisement
Business News

Canadian Music Week ​Acquired by Loft Entertainment & Oak View Group as Founder Neill Dixon Retires

Just as its 42nd year gets underway, the founder and president of the major industry festival CMW announced today (June 3) that he's stepping down, passing the reins over to the entertainment company founded by Randy Lennox and the American venue and hospitality enterprise.

Neill Dixon

Neill Dixon

Courtesy Neill Dixon

As Canadian Music Week kicks off its 42nd anniversary, the festival and conference is undergoing a big change.

The major music event, which brings artists and industry to Toronto every year for a week of performances and panels, is changing hands. Festival founder and president Neill Dixon announced his retirement today (June 3) at the welcoming address for the CMW conference, with Toronto mayor Olivia Chow in attendance.


The festival has been acquired by Toronto-based Loft Entertainment and American hospitality and sports company Oak View Group, who plan to expand its offerings while maintaining Dixon's vision.

Recently named one of Billboard Canada's Power Players, Dixon was on hand at the June 2 inaugural Power Players event, presenting Gary Slaight with the Power Players Impact Award as his final public appearance before announcing retirement.

advertisement

Under his leadership, CMW has grown into a major hub for industry events, hosting the Live Music Industry Awards, The Indies awards, Jim Beam National Talent Search, Radiodays North America and more.

"It has been an incredible journey to see Canadian Music Week grow from a small gathering of music lovers to one of the most influential music festivals and conferences in the world," Dixon says.

Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group (OVG) will keep the event's headquarters in Toronto, as they look ahead to its future. Loft is a new venture from industry titan Randy Lennox, former Universal Music Canada CEO and Bell Media President, launched in 2023.

The creative services company's partnership with OVG on the acquisition boosts the latter's expansion into Canada. OVG already has partnerships with Canadian sports organizations Canada Basketball and Great Canadian Gaming, and is currently leading a major renovation of Hamilton's FirstOntario Centre. (It was also recently entangled in the U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust complaint against Live Nation).

With an American partner on board, it seems likely Canadian Music Week will look to grow its international footprint, while remaining a home for Canadian music activity. Details for the 2025 edition, the first under the new ownership, are coming soon.

advertisement

CMW is on now, until June 8. Find festival and conference programming on the event website.

advertisement
Sam Fender on stage accepting the Mercury Music Prize for the album 'People Watching' at the "Mercury Music Awards 2025" at the Utilita Arena on October 16, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
JMEnternational/Getty Images

Sam Fender on stage accepting the Mercury Music Prize for the album 'People Watching' at the "Mercury Music Awards 2025" at the Utilita Arena on October 16, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Awards

Sam Fender Triumphs in Hometown 2025 Mercury Prize Ceremony

Fender saw off competition from FKA Twigs, Fontaines D.C., CMAT & more

Sam Fender‘s People Watching won the Mercury Prize on Thursday (Oct. 16) in a ceremony held in his hometown of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Launched in 1992, The Mercury Prize is an esteemed annual prize that celebrates the best of British and Irish music across a range of music genres. For the first time in its history, this year the ceremony was held outside of London, taking place at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne.

keep readingShow less
advertisement