Toronto is home to an incredibly diverse music scene, from dimly lit dive bars to beautiful concert halls: the city offers a little bit of everything for anyone who might be curious enough to try it.
When I first moved to Toronto in the fall of 2021, I was eager to start exploring the music scene. Granted, COVID put those plans on hold for a while but now that things have mellowed out a bit, I’m thrilled to finally get out there and see what all the fuss is about.
A little about me
Before moving here, I lived in Portland and San Francisco, calling the West Coast my home for almost 6 years. In both these cities, I kept one tradition: to attend at least one show a month, whether it was local bands or bands I’d been dreaming of seeing since my teenage years. I wanted to get to know the community, to become a part of it—and what better way than music?
My passion for music started when I was a kid, but it wasn’t until I turned 17, a few months before I moved to the U.S., that I truly started to explore the music scene in Bogotá, where I’m originally from. I’ve seen the Bogotá scene evolve tremendously over the last few years, with more and more venues and all-ages events popping up, as well as public measures being taken by local governments and clubs to foster community building through music.
My first Toronto show is coming up at the beginning of November, seeing none other than Paramore, my all-time favourite band. To celebrate, I have compiled a list of 3 must-see places for music lovers with different tastes (and the ones I’m looking forward to visiting the most):
HISTORY | 1663 Queen Street East
History is one of Toronto’s newest venues, a collaboration between Live Nation and Drake designed to provide artists and fans with an intimate space in an age where arena concerts are the norm.
The venue opened last year and has hosted acts such as Bleachers, CHVRCHES, and Franz Ferdinand, with a lineup in the coming months that includes MUSE, Jimmy Eat World, Paramore, and Silverstein, to name a few. History is for the fans who want to reconnect with their idols, and its location in the Beaches neighbourhood allows for an evening of fun, connection, and discovery.
“Some of my most memorable shows were playing smaller rooms like History (and) I wanted to take those memories and what I learned to create an incredible experience for both the artists and the fans.”
Drake
Check out upcoming shows here.
The Garrison | 1197 Dundas St W
The Garrison is one of Toronto’s gems and it’s been home to the local indie scene for over 12 years. During the pandemic, like many live venues, The Garrison struggled to stay afloat as it was closed for 19 months. Today, they have returned stronger than ever with an event lineup that includes the popular Thursday DJ night LAST CALL, a party for house and electronic music lovers that rages on until 4 am, a rare find in the city.
Whether you want to experience the roots of indie or dance all night to the beats of the city, The Garrison is the perfect choice for those of us who like to enjoy music and culture straight from the source.
Check out upcoming shows here.
Massey Hall | 178 Victoria St
Massey Hall is Toronto’s oldest concert hall, also widely known as “Canada’s Carnegie Hall”. With almost 200 years of rich history behind it, the hall was closed between 2018 and 2021 while a $184-million renovation took place. Stronger than ever, the venue reopened with a 40-concert season last fall.
In addition to bringing world-class acts to one of Canada’s premiere concert halls, one of my favourite things about Massey is its newsletter. Their commitment to artist development and promotion is unique: here I have found incredible up-and-coming musicians, both local and international, that have become a permanent part of my playlists.
If you’re looking for a premium experience, check out upcoming events here.
Ready to get out there and explore the Toronto music scene? Click below for more information on the venues featured on this list and stay tuned for more posts!