Toronto’s Top Concert Venues: Opera House
A good number of years ago I had read about this UK band that Mick Jones from the Clash had produced. They were a little known band called The Libertines and they had a little known lead singer named Pete Dougherty. The band was about to release their album in North America so they weren’t on the radar yet. I downloaded a few tunes and really liked their sound. Once I saw that they were playing The Opera House, I circled the date and marked it a must-see.
A small group of us were grabbing drinks at our favorite bars downtown. I knew at some point I was going to bail with anyone interested to The Opera House just in time to catch The Libertines hit the stage. I mentioned the gig to someone at the table and this notion of going to see this band seemed to interest everyone.
We walked into the venue just as the band launched into their opening song. Tickets were available at the door, the place was 60% full, the bar had no line, but no one seemed to notice. We walked in, grabbed some drinks and joined the rest of the room who was there to see a solid rock band play a great venue just before they tipped.
About The Opera House…
Despite its location on the fringe of the downtown core, the relatively new Opera House has acquired a reputation as one of the cities best kept secrets and key spot for catching bands on their rise. The venue holds roughly 850.
Located at 735 Queen Street East, the old building has a special atmosphere, and on a good night is perhaps the premier place to see a performance in Toronto.
Received more comments via email on this venue than any other…
“sound is always top notch”…..”great discovery ground for new music and bands…”
3 Comments
The Phoenix is not to be forgotten either. I saw Rage Against The Machine there in the late 90’s then have spent the last 5 years seeing Classic Albums Live push the limits of the sound system.
Get yourself dead centre under the disco ball and with the right sound guy this venue is a real treat.
Oh man…I remember the summer when the Phoenix first introduced the Classic Albums Live series. I must have hit 3 or 4 of them. Simply Awesome.
Ya – me too – I made it to the second one.. RUMOURS – It was just crazy… I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
5 Year Anniversary this week wit Some Girls by the Stones.. they are flying Mary Clayton in for the show to sing Gimme Shelter !
Check this out
http://www.libertygroup.com/cal/5year_cal.html