The renowned Billboard Canada celebrated its second annual Power Players event at the stunning Illuminarium in Toronto on June 11. This exclusive gathering brought together a constellation of influential executives and decision-makers from the Canadian music industry, highlighting the power and impact of music within the nation. The event served as a platform for networking and celebrating the achievements of individuals who have significantly contributed to shaping the music landscape in Canada.
Among the prominent figures in attendance were the heads of Canada’s major record labels: Julie Adam from Universal Music Canada, Shane Carter representing Sony Music Canada, and Kristen Burke from Warner Music Canada. Additionally, executives from Live Nation Canada, including Erik Hoffman and Melissa Bubb-Clarke, were present. Notably, they, along with Riley O’Connor, were honored as this year’s Power Players of the Year, celebrating their exceptional contributions to live music and artist management.
Derrick Ross from Slaight Music took center stage to present the prestigious Impact Award. This year, the award was bestowed upon Derek “Drex” Jancar, co-founder of the Remix Project and CEO of October’s Very Own. Since his promotion to CEO last year, Drex has been making significant strides in the music industry while simultaneously making a positive impact within the community, demonstrating the powerful intersection of business acumen and social responsibility.
As part of the recognition, the Slaight Foundation and Billboard Canada awarded Drex a generous cheque for $10,000, symbolizing a meaningful donation to the Remix Project, which focuses on empowering youth through arts education and mentorship. This act of generosity highlights the commitment of the music industry to foster community development and support upcoming talent.
Sony Music Canada’s Shane Carter also took the stage to honor Courtney Stewart, Khalid’s manager and the founder of Right Hand Co., with the International Management Award. Carter reminisced about his first encounter with Stewart at one of Khalid’s live performances, where he was immediately struck by Stewart’s unwavering determination and exceptional work ethic, which are crucial traits in the competitive landscape of the music business.
“Courtney embodies the essential qualities required to excel as both a manager and a parent—two roles that share fundamental similarities,” Carter expressed. “Patience, kindness, protectiveness, and selflessness are vital attributes that define great leadership in both areas.” His words resonated with the audience, emphasizing the importance of supportive relationships in the creative industry.
“I am incredibly thankful for this recognition tonight, and I want to extend my gratitude to Billboard for the invaluable contributions they make to artists’ lives,” Stewart stated during his acceptance speech. “Receiving an award is wonderful, but the true victory lies in our collective efforts to uplift others. Supporting fellow artists and enriching communities is what truly matters. This acknowledgment is not solely for me; it reflects the incredible work of my dedicated team and everyone gathered here, as we all strive for a greater purpose beyond ourselves.”
Erik Hoffman and Melissa Bubb-Clarke proudly accepted the Power Players of the Year Award, which was also awarded to O’Connor, the chairman of Live Nation Canada. Their acceptance underscored the importance of collaboration and community in the evolving landscape of live music.
“This industry is incredibly dynamic and ever-changing,” Hoffman remarked. “While many aspects of live music have evolved, one truth remains: it is fundamentally about the artists and their fans. If we continue to align our efforts towards shared objectives with this principle in mind, the future of live music will undoubtedly flourish.”
Earlier that same day, Billboard Canada hosted its inaugural Managers to Watch event at the same venue, aiming to highlight emerging talent within the management sector of the music industry.
The national editor of Billboard Canada, Richard Trapunski, introduced the Billboard Canada Manager of the Year Award, which recognizes an outstanding manager who exemplifies the dedication and hard work necessary to excel in the music management field. “This award is truly special,” he noted. “It honors a manager who elevates the role to new heights and makes a significant impact in the industry.”
Trapunski then invited The Beaches to the stage to present the award to their manager, Laurie Lee Boutet. Band member Jordan Miller delivered a heartfelt speech, reflecting on how Boutet guided the group through the challenging experience of being dropped from their record label, offering them a refreshing perspective that differed from the conventional narratives often provided by labels.
“She emphasized our strengths as four powerful, independent women, mirroring her own spirit,” Miller shared. “You are far more than just a manager; you are our sister and the fifth member of The Beaches.”
Boutet was visibly moved by the tribute and stepped up to accept the award, tears of joy in her eyes, acknowledging her peers in the audience. “It’s a privilege to stand before all of you, individuals I frequently reach out to for guidance,” she expressed. She described her journey managing The Beaches as the honor of her life, emphasizing that together they have created something “feminine, genuine, and incredibly cool.”
Discover all the highlights from the Billboard Canada Power Players event here and the Managers to Watch event highlights here.
Unforgettable Performances by Daniel Caesar, Khalid, and The Beaches at Billboard Canada THE STAGE during NXNE
The 30th edition of NXNE was a remarkable milestone, showcasing a vibrant array of talent. This year’s festival introduced the Billboard Summit, featuring high-profile artists like deadmau5 and the sensational Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh, alongside Billboard Canada‘s inaugural THE STAGE event, which drew significant attention and excitement.
Daniel Caesar made a grand return to Mod Club, where he had his first major headlining show back in 2016. Now an established arena headliner, he approached this intimate performance as a heartfelt homecoming, treating the Billboard Canada THE STAGE audience to an unforgettable experience. This exclusive show on June 14 became the hottest ticket in town, with over 500 fortunate fans in attendance, who were treated to a captivating performance by the R&B sensation, now residing in New York. It was a moment that felt uniquely special, capturing the essence of a remarkable festival.
In a departure from his typical arena-style concerts, Caesar chose to deliver an acoustic set, often accompanied solely by his guitar, and at times, enhanced with keyboards and drums. This spontaneous and relaxed format created a deep connection with the audience, who eagerly sang along to every lyric. The performance evoked memories of Neil Young’s iconic shows at Massey Hall in 1971, showcasing an artist at the peak of his craft, rediscovering the raw spirit of their early days through heartfelt music and intimate engagement with loyal fans. Although Caesar had prepared an extensive setlist, he embraced the moment by taking song requests from the audience, including rare tracks he hadn’t performed in years.
Caesar even introduced a brand new song titled “Moon,” infused with the same tender vulnerability that characterizes his best work. Reflecting on his journey since his initial performance at the venue in his early 20s, he humorously acknowledged, “I’m not young anymore,” but expressed delight at the presence of his youthful fans. He admitted to feeling emotional on stage but shared that he had already shed tears on his way to the venue, passing by significant locations from his past.
On June 12, Khalid electrified the audience at Sankofa Square, where his devoted fans gathered in large numbers to passionately sing along to his greatest hits. With four dynamic dancers accompanying him and a setlist filled with infectious bangers, Khalid delivered a standout performance in the heart of downtown Toronto as part of Billboard Canada THE STAGE, which coincided with the festival’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
From the chart-topping “Location” to the anthemic “Young Dumb & Broke,” Khalid captivated the packed square, effortlessly engaging the crowd. At one point, he caught a friendship bracelet thrown by a fan and responded with a heart gesture, further solidifying his connection with the audience.
Khalid radiated joy throughout his performance, receiving enthusiastic cheers when he inquired if there were any long-time fans in the crowd who had supported him since the release of his breakthrough album, American Teen.
The Beaches are poised to ascend to arena status, with a scheduled performance at their hometown’s Scotiabank Arena this fall. However, they first treated over 500 fans to a special concert at Mod Club, creating an authentic hometown experience. As Eliza Enman-McDaniel remarked, “I live just a seven-minute walk away.” This concert also represented a full-circle moment for Leandra Earl, who first witnessed the band’s earlier incarnation, Done With Dolls, at the same venue over a decade ago before joining the group herself.
The Beaches’ viral hit “Blame Brett” from 2023 is just the beginning of their ascent to major rock stardom, and this performance demonstrated their undeniable growth. Taking turns on a platform on stage, they showcased their energetic moves and infused their songs with a fresh new wave rhythm. Their Sunday night (June 15) performance was among the festival’s concluding acts, with the single “Last Girls at the Party” from their forthcoming album No Hard Feelings resonating particularly well. As the audience chanted along with the countdown in the lyrics, it felt like a cathartic release, embodying the spirit of NXNE.
Explore all of the incredible highlights from NXNE 2025 here.
