Toronto, a city that epitomizes cosmopolitan vibrancy, is blessed with a rich tapestry of live music venues, both intimate and grand. Reflecting on my early career as a traveling musician, I recall the countless nights spent performing across these stages. Sadly, many of these cherished venues have succumbed to the passage of time, highlighting the critical need to support live entertainment and occasionally indulge in the liberating experience of a live performance.
History (1663 Queen St E) is another venue where I recently enjoyed a concert. Nestled in Toronto’s East End, The space was built to encompass a large general admission, open-concept music venue that holds no more than 2,500 people. It was designed to create an exquisite sonic box with perfect acoustics. Seeing Gary Clark Jr. fuse modern sensibilities with an eclectic, authentic vintage rock sound was nothing short of spectacular, once again uniting Torontonians with the sweet embrace of incredible music.
In a strikingly different yet equally enchanting experience, I recently witnessed John Mayer performing with Dead & Company in Las Vegas. It was an immersive, almost surreal journey through sound and vision. The seamless integration of mesmerizing visuals, impeccable soundscapes, and the collective energy of nearly 20,000 fans moving in unison was breathtaking. Much like my experience at Budweiser Stage, this concert underscored the profound joy and unity that live music brings.
Admittedly, a fair share of those Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and millennials might have been under the influence of hallucinogens (after all it was a Grateful Dead Show), it still doesn’t change the fact that music was undeniably transcendent. These moments of shared euphoria and connection reaffirm my belief in the enduring power of live music.
As we navigate these tumultuous times, let’s celebrate what brings us joy, support live music, and cherish those transformative experiences that remind us of the inherent beauty in our world.
This Makes Us Glad.