Arts & Culture

Where to Immerse Yourself in New Music: Toronto

Whether locals want to admit it or not, the arts and culture scene in Toronto is hard to replicate and match. When it comes to music, art in all its forms, diversity, neighbourhoods, and food in the city, it’s truly a wonderful mixture of the world.

With that comes acts big and small making their way across Toronto stages, and while we have some large stadiums and arenas, there’s so much charm off the downtown path in the city’s intimate venues for music, comedy, and more.

Check out these spots to find some new music in Toronto this year, you just may discover a favourite!

Phoenix Concert Theatre

Where: 410 Sherbourne St, Toronto

Over the past 20 years the Phoenix Concert Theatre has played host to thousands of live performances and a roster of artists and events in their 18,000 sq. ft. entertainment complex.

This season, you can see shows by K-POP band 831 (Feb.25), a Toronto Anime Rave (Mar.15), a Shrek Rave (Mar.29), Bowling For Soup (Apr.5), Slick Rick (May 17), and more. Find their full event line-up here.

History Toronto

Where: 1663 Queen St E, Toronto

HISTORY is a 2,500-person state-of-the-art live music and entertainment venue that sets a new standard for the live experience. With an incredibly intimate feel, guests enjoy up-close experiences with their favourite artists that are unrivalled in Toronto and beyond.

This season, you can see shows by The Strumbellas (Feb.24), Chelsea Cutler (Feb.27), Two Door Cinema Club (Mar.3), JP Saxe (Mar.9), Offset (Mar.17), Mahalia (Mar.22), Damian and Stephen Marley (Mar.25), Busta Rhymes (Apr.12), Ocean Alley (June 26), and so much more! Find their full event line-up here.

history offset — photo via @historytoronto

Danforth Music Hall

Where: 147 Danforth Ave, Toronto

Originally constructed as a movie theatre in 1919, it gained the Music Hall name when it started featuring live acts in the late 1970s. You’ll see a variety of shows here from comedy, to country and folk, hip hop and R&B; the genres are endless.

This season, you can see shows by Brett Kissel (Feb.23), Jared Freid on his The Family Business comedy tour (Feb.24), Babytron (Mar.5), Chelsea Wolfe (Mar.17), Wheeler Walker Jr. (Mar.21), PinkPantheress (Apr.7), X Ambassadors (Apr.24) and more. Find their full event line-up here.

The Opera House

Where: 735 Queen St E, Toronto

Opening in 1909, the building was originally known as the La Plaza Theatre, an Edwardian vaudeville stage. The venue seated nearly 900 people and was the main entertainment venue in the neighbourhood. 100 years later, the original building is standing strong and The Opera House has held on to all the allure of its original architecture.

This season, you can see shows by Murda (Feb.27), Destin Conrad (Mar.2), Jessi Cruickshank (Mar.9), Rêve ft. Ralph (Mar.29), Jon Vinyl (Apr.5), the Country Mixtape Tour (Apr.25), and so much more! Find their full event line-up here.

opera house — photo by Martin Bryan Photography

El Mocambo

Where: 464 Spadina Ave. #462, Toronto

The revitalized El Mocambo reopened in 2020, 70 years after launching as a live music venue and has since been a spot for some lively concerts, shows and events in Toronto. Along with the venue came El Mocambo Records, launched during Canadian Music Week 2017. The label was conceived to complement a renovated El Mocambo with an in-house recording studio.

This season, you can see shows by China Crisis (Feb.24), a Stand-Up Comedy Showcase (Feb.29), Reckless Rock & Roll on their Getting Reckless Tour (Mar.15), Michael Darcy and the Atlantic Tramps, North Atlantic Drift, and Elaine Ryan for St. Paddy’s Day (Mar.17), and more into the summer. Click here for the full event calendar!

the el mocambo — photo via @theelmocambo

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Where: 190 Princes’ Blvd, Exhibition Place, Toronto

The QET is one of Toronto’s premiere music venues, playing host to global talent, such as Adele, Nas, Arlo Parks, Bon Jovi and more. Originally a Military base, in the early 1900s, the grounds were handed over to the city to become the Exhibition and now, this theatre colds 2,500 people for events of all kinds.

This season, you can see Seth Meyers live on stage as part of Just for Laughs (Mar.9), rock band The Last Dinner Party (Mar.30), stand-up by Ari Shaffir (Apr.6), Jimbo’s Drag Circus (May 18), and more fun music, comedy, and cultural events! Find their full event line-up here.