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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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Tomorrowland 2025 Will Open as Scheduled Following Mainstage Fire
STRINGER/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images

A fire at the festival site of the Tomorrowland electronic music festival, Wednesday 16 July 2025, in Boom.

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Tomorrowland 2025 Will Open as Scheduled Following Mainstage Fire

Organizers also outlined two potential scenarios for the weekend.

Tomorrowland 2025 will open as scheduled on Friday (July 18) following a devastating July 16 fire that destroyed the festival’s mainstage.

In a statement made on Thursday (July 17), organizers wrote that “hundreds of people are working tirelessly at the Mainstage area to ensure we can open the gates tomorrow. It’s a race against time, but we’re doing this together with the best and most amazing people in the world.”

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