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Management

Canada's Paquin Artists Agency Announces U.S. Expansion

American agent Brian Swanson is joining the Canadian company as a Senior Agent. He brings with him popular acts like Smash Mouth, Spin Doctors and Mike Dawes.

Smash Mouth, one of agent Brian Swanson's clients coming to Paquin

Smash Mouth, one of agent Brian Swanson's clients coming to Paquin

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A major Canadian agency is making moves south of the border.

Paquin Artists Agency, which represents 250 international artists, has announced that American agent Brian Swanson is joining the agency's ranks as a Senior Agent.


The California-based agent is bringing his whole client list, including popular acts like Smash Mouth, Spin Doctors and Mike Dawes. Swanson comes to the company from Northstar Artists and has previously worked with Paquin on shared clients including Alan Doyle and Matt Andersen.

“I’ve worked in conjunction with Paquin over the last 15 years, handling touring across the USA for many of the artists on the Paquin roster,” says Swanson. “It’s very exciting knowing my entire roster will now have the same support behind them as our shared clients."

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The announcement indicates Paquin Artists Agency, a division of Paquin Entertainment Group, is looking to expand into the U.S., following a series of recent ventures that have boosted Paquin's business within Canada. The company already has an office in Nashville, spearheaded in 2020 by artist manager Michelle Szeto. [Paquin Entertainment Group is an agency partner of Billboard Canada.]

Last fall, the agency announced a partnership with Quebec talent agency Preste Spectacles & Tours, giving it a stronger foothold in the Francophone space. Earlier in 2023 Paquin acquired competitor APA Canada. The company has also developed its Exhibition & Theatrical division, with internationally touring shows like Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet.

Paquin, which also has offices in Toronto, Winnipeg, Montreal and Vancouver, represents some of Canada's best-known artists, including Jann Arden, BadBadNotGood, The Reklaws, Tanya Tagaq, Bryan Adams and more.

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Charlotte Day Wilson
Jessica Foley
Charlotte Day Wilson
Concerts

CNE 2026 Bell SOUNDSTAGE Lineup: Charlotte Day Wilson, JoJo, Finger Eleven and More

As part of its partnership with NXNE and a renewed focus on live music, CNE will also welcome a special soon-to-be revealed global headliner presented by Billboard Canada on Aug. 28.

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is embracing its musical roots with a high-profile lineup for 2026.

The beloved long-running fair, baptized The Ex by Torontonians, has unveiled the full list of artists who will be headlining the newly-named Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell to celebrate the event's 147th edition. Canadian stars like Charlotte Day Wilson and Finger Eleven as well as international pop star JoJo have been added to this year's programming, which reflects a diverse mix of renowned names and rising stars across a multitude of genres including pop, hip-hop, Punjabi music and soca, among others. They join previously announced acts like Lights, Lupe Fiasco, Shaggy and more.

This year, the exhibition is partnering with Toronto music festival NXNE, to modernize its musical programming with chart-topping artists and newer acts, and revamping the Bandshell as the Bell SOUNDSTAGE. “Music is such a massive part of who we are,” Mark Holland, CEO of the CNE, told Billboard Canada in April during his Executive of the Week interview. "Connecting everybody to that is a democratic mission that we are really invested in."

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