OK here is the final installment in the Top Ten of Toronto series. I'm sure there are many more things I could touch on in this vast and voluptuous city, but there are few areas I frequent more than bars, restaurants, and live music joints. Now I've seen many bands in my day - way too many to count. And being in Toronto for nearly seven years has left me with quite the tally of shows. So here are my favourite places to dig live music, which to me is the most sensual thing in the world to experience.
Phoenix Concert Theatre
One of the main reasons this place is so appealing is because there are so few concerts here. For a place that has "concert" in its marquee, it's primarily a night club (as touched on in the "Top Ten Bars" post). But at the same time, it is the perfect venue for live music. A huge, long hall with a high ceiling, high stage, and state-of-the-art sound. There's not a bad place to stand - anywhere is a good vantage point with audible benefits. And this is a popular place for promotional concerts for bigger acts, promoting upcoming albums. I've had the fortune of seeing Rage Against the Machine, Beck, and the Black Crowes here under such circumstances. It makes for a really intimate setting, no matter how massive the band's sound is.
The Opera House
Probably the perfect "small" venue in the city. It's just the right size, draws the perfect crowd, and has the perfect sound to draw plenty of acts on a very regular basis. If there's an up-and-coming band that's making noise on the scene, they're most likely gonna play here when they come to town. Again, the high ceiling is key, but it's the general "opera house" motif that provides a really cool ambience. The band can always feel the crowd, and vice versa. I've seen way too many bands here to list, but take my word for it - it's a venue you definitely have to check out.
Lee's Palace
Very similar to the Opera House, but with more of a "bar" feel. A bit of an older crowd than the above mentioned joint, with lots of "older" bands too. Mostly lots of rock. One of the best shows I've ever seen was here - Queens of the Stone Age on the Songs for the Deaf promo tour. Loud, aggressive, and booze-fuelled. A scene that totally fits Lee's. A recent renovation has it sounding even better than it did before.
Massey Hall
The best-sounding concert venue in the city. Also one of the oldest, housing many musical legends for decades. The diverse acts that continue to roll through here are testament to its superior acoustics. I've only seen a few - namely Jane's Addiction and Buffy Sainte-Marie - but they were some of the best-sounding performances I've ever seen/heard. I think the prestige of Massey Hall bumps up ticket prices just a bit, but it's well worth it just to experience the crisp sound and acoustic intimacy.
The Horseshoe Tavern
For all the same reasons I mentioned in the "Top Ten Bars" list. A Queen St. music staple.
Kool Haus
Horrible name aside, this club has come a long way. Known as RPM and The Warehouse in the 90s, it went through a massive overhaul in 2001 and has become a really ideal mid-sized venue, right near the Lake. They removed the massive sound-hindering pillars in the middle of the floor, added a certain interior panache, and generally made it more fan-friendly. I have been here way too many times to count, but some shows that really stand out are Ween, Primus, and Tenacious D. Oh yeah, and the bartenders are HOTT.
The Mod Club
A relatively new venue, but it's got a great high ceiling (which is a necessity for sound) and has a great contemporary atmosphere. I only started going to shows here last summer, but both were great (The Icarus Line and Fu Manchu). They keep booking more and more, so it's definitely picking up momentum. This place is so hot my hair once caught on fire - but that's a whole other story.
Molson Amphitheatre
On the surface, there's nothing really outstanding about the Amphitheatre. It's your standard outdoor venue, with covered seating and a general admission lawn. But heading down to the lake to see big names here has become a summer ritual. Very nicely situated, with the city skyline as a beautiful backdrop. And on the other side: Lake Ontario. Expensive beer, but I guess that offsets the relatively cheap ticket prices. My favourite concerts here have been Phish, Pearl Jam, Erykah Badu, Slayer, and Bob Dylan, among many others.
Reverb/Kathedral/Holy Joe's
Not a huge complex, but you can find anything here. Hardcore, punk, metal, hip-hop, indie rock, and folk. Three very eclectic floors of music, and it's right around the corner from my pad! Bonus. I've seen so many different acts here (some big, some small) that it's hard to list, but it just proves the powerful allure of this convenient locale.
Maple Leaf Gardens
RIP. Only saw a few concerts here, but they were some of the best I've seen in my life, namely Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine. Such a classic venue; knowing you were experiencing your generation of rock in the same building that Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd rocked was a really enriching feeling. A Toronto rock n' roll cornerstone that should remain standing as long as the city does.
(Not in the Top Ten, but deserves mention)
Air Canada Centre
Actually, this place sucks. Horrible sound, overpriced beer, and annoying large crowds. But when a big name comes to town during the cooler months of th eyear, where else can you see them? Regardless, the arena atmosphere is really exciting, and that isn't lost here. Also, the vantage points are generally good, even from the nosebleeds. Oh yeah, and seeing Tool and Pearl Jam at the ACC wasn't too shabby at all.