The company that is redeveloping Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre is partnering with one of Canada’s largest media moguls to take over a long-running Toronto music festival.
On Monday, Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group announced that the pair had acquired Canadian Music Week (CMW).
Loft Entertainment is a music focused media company that focuses on television, documentaries and video production. It was founded in 2023 by by Randy Lennox, former Bell Media president and CEO of Universal Music Canada.
CMW was formerly run by Neill Dixon, who, after 42 years in the business, decided to retire.
He says that the plan for the festival is to enhance it by “creating new opportunities for artists and attendees alike, while maintaining the core values that have made CMW a beloved event.”
“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,” he said. “I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished and deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey.”
Tom Pistore, the president of Oak View Group Canada, said the acquisition aligns perfectly with the ongoing renovation project of the former FirstOntario Centre.
Earlier this year, Pistore said “keeping a steady stream of music flowing through Hamilton” was part of his company’s grand plan for the downtown venue.
“This venue will be made for music,” Pistore said. “Being the home for music in a region that’s growing and growing with only one other venue of this size within the area — it’s going to be a great home for a lot of acts to stop and play a great city.”
Currently, there’s no official word if the Toronto-based music festival will one day spill over into Hamilton.
“We look forward to leveraging our expertise in venue management and conferences to take CMW to new heights,” Pistore said Monday. Together, we aim to deliver an unforgettable experience that celebrates the vibrant music culture of Canada and beyond.”
CMW will continue operating out of Toronto and announce details for its 2025 festival later this year.
READ MORE: Major renovations to begin at Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre