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Morgan Sevaried-Bocknek says her concert look is tactical, \u201cso I can dance and thrash around in the mosh pit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sophie Bouquillon\/Toronto Star<\/p>\n
Favourite concert memory: I saw Roger Waters play \u201cThe Wall\u201d at the Rogers Centre in 2012 with my best friend and my mom. I was 15 and grew up loving Pink Floyd. Seeing the wall go up and come down was so freaking cool. There were so many giant and upsetting puppets. It solidified my love the power of rock \u2019n\u2019 roll and my hatred of fascism.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Best shows this summer: So far this summer I\u2019ve seen Creative Sweets, NOBRO, Cadence Weapon, Theo Vandenhoff, the Ratskin Family Band, and too many DJs, drag and burlesque performers to name. My favourite was Jim E. Brown. His set is like if Florence + the Machine was for men who hate themselves. He has this song called \u201cI\u2019m Quitting Prozac to Continue Drinking\u201d that people crowd-surfed to. He played his song \u201cRat in Bin,\u201d four times in a row. I lost one of my acrylic nails in the pit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My concert look: I love to wear a look that is tactical, so I can dance and thrash around in the mosh pit. Fishnets, boots, bodysuits, mini skirts with built in shorts, fanny pack. Always a fanny pack.<\/p>\n
Most aggravating aspect of concertgoing:\u00a0Toronto has long been known for awful crowds who don\u2019t stand up or get into the show. We are often polite to the point of being a snooze for performers, and I resent this! I want to dance!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Justin Smirlies, 35, editorial<\/p>\n
Favourite venue:\u00a0Depends on the season, but typically it\u2019s Danforth Music Hall. It\u2019s a bit older and has some character, plus it has a slightly slanted floor that makes the sight lines better when you\u2019re standing near the back.<\/p>\n
Best shows this summer:\u00a0Highlight is probably seeing Angine de Poitrine open for Jack White at RBC Amphitheatre. I never understood the hype when they went viral online earlier this year, but after seeing them live I\u2019m now fully on board. Another favourite: a shameless plug for my band Survival Club, which played the No-No Room (at the Dock Ellis) in June.<\/p>\n
My concert look: At my age, comfort over style. Usually a basic T-shirt or short-sleeve shirt, with shorts. If I\u2019m feeling like I\u2019ll be brave enough to jump into the mosh pit, I\u2019ll wear shorts with zippers (don\u2019t want to lose my keys and phone!). I don\u2019t really care how I look\u00a0\u2014 I\u2019m not the star of the show.<\/p>\n
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For Justin Smirlies, the summer\u2019s highlight was seeing viral avant-garde duo Angine de Poitrine open for Jack White at RBC Amphitheatre.<\/p>\n
Sophie Bouquillon\/Toronto Star<\/p>\n
Most aggravating aspect of concertgoing: Aside from price, my biggest gripe would probably be fan behaviour. I\u2019m guilty of filming a few snippets here and there, but please don\u2019t film the whole thing. Also, I can\u2019t stand people who video call their friends to \u201cwatch\u201d the show with them. Jeez, just live in the moment.<\/p>\n
Laura Palombi, 30, marketing<\/p>\n
Favourite venue: Toss up between Massey Hall and the Budweiser Stage (now RBC Amphitheatre). The open air vibes of RBC are immaculate and the space still feels intimate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Favourite concert memory: Beyonc\u00e9 for her Renaissance tour at the Rogers Centre in summer of \u201923. Out-of-this-world production, powerhouse vocals and serendipitously finding seats during the show that allowed my friends and me to sit side-by-side!<\/p>\n
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Laura Palombi says, \u201cToronto crowds are sometimes too low key and unwilling to let loose and get a little weird.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sophie Bouquillon\/Toronto Star<\/p>\n
On this summer\u2019s list: Olivia Dean! I saw her last summer and now she\u2019s onto a bigger stage.<\/p>\n
My concert look: My vintage Danier leather top! It\u2019s my go-to with just the perfect rock \u2018n\u2018 roll feel for any show.<\/p>\n
Most aggravating aspect of concertgoing:\u00a0I wish the energy of the performers was matched by the crowds. Toronto crowds are sometimes too low key and unwilling to let loose and get a little weird.<\/p>\n
Alex Liepold, 37, marketing<\/p>\n
Favourite venue:\u00a0The Monarch Tavern is an iconic place for the vibe but also because a lot of bands or artists tend to make their way through there when they\u2019re starting out or playing Toronto for the first time. The staff is also great, and being across the street from Bitondo\u2019s for a postconcert snack is always a plus.<\/p>\n
Favourite concert memory:\u00a0I saw Canadian punk icons D.O.A. at Lee\u2019s Palace a few years back and that was really cool to cross off my bucket list. They still put on a great show even after 40-plus years. Another one was a U.K. band called Idles, who I saw play History in 2022. Between the energy of the crowd, the set list and the performance, it\u2019s one I still revisit to this day.<\/p>\n
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Alex Liepold laments the fact that Toronto venues are closing due to high rents or development.<\/p>\n
Sophie Bouquillon\/Toronto Star<\/p>\n
My concert look: I\u2019m easy. It\u2019s usually venue-specific more than anything, indoors vs. outdoors. I\u2019d say you\u2019ve always got to wear comfy shoes.<\/p>\n
Most aggravating aspect of concertgoing:\u00a0Aside from ticket cost, venues closing due to high rent or development feels like an ever-present threat to the cultural landscape of the city.<\/p>\n
Sima Shakeri, 31, editorial<\/p>\n
Favourite venue: I finally got a chance to go to History this year \u2014 several times in fact \u2014 and I really like it, mostly because of the raised section at the back of the general admission standing area near the sound booth. Usually, if a show is GA, I either have to line up super early if I want any hope of seeing the performer since I\u2019m five-foot-one, or I\u2019m out of luck.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Sima Shakeri likes to match her makeup to the artist she\u2019s seeing: \u201cWhen I saw My Chemical Romance, I had rusty red eyeshadow everywhere, and big black Xs on my eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sophie Bouquillon\/Toronto Star<\/p>\n
Favourite concert memory: Monumentour in June 2014, which was a co-headline show with Fall Out Boy and Paramore at what was then called the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. The only downside was both headliners had meet-and-greet ticket options available (but no option to meet both) \u2014 and I had to pick between them. I ended up picking Fall Out Boy because they are my favourite band ever, but I am still so sad I never got to tell Paramore how much they meant to me. On the bright side, my ticket, which included early access, a poster, lanyard and other merch items, and a meet and greet with Fall Out Boy, cost me less than $200. These days, a basic ticket with absolutely none of the perks and a far worse view costs just as much, if not more.<\/p>\n
Best shows this summer: I saw 5 Seconds of Summer at TD Coliseum in Hamilton<\/a>, and BBNO$ at the RBC Amphitheatre. I had a lot of fun at both shows, but I have to go with 5SOS. Their stage production was insane.\u00a0<\/p>\n My concert look: I usually go for a band tee and either a plain skirt or shorts, along with heeled boots. I constantly worry about hurting my ankles, but if it\u2019s not a show with staggered seating and I\u2019m not guaranteed a barricade spot, I know I won\u2019t be able to see anything. I try to match my earrings and makeup to whatever the theme is. When I saw Halsey, I did tones that matched her \u201cBadlands\u201d album cover. When I saw My Chemical Romance, I had rusty red eyeshadow everywhere, and big black Xs on my eyes. Sometimes the makeup gets messy or smeared, but I think the imperfections make it even more concert-worthy. I\u2019m there to have fun, not look like a Sephora ad.<\/p>\n Most aggravating aspect of concertgoing:\u00a0If you want that GA front-barricade spot, you gotta line up for hours. I also wish ticket prices were cheaper for the big pop-girlie shows too. I missed out on Lady Gaga, Tate McRae, Katseye,<\/a> and Sabrina Carpenter\u2019s recent Toronto shows<\/a>, but I refuse to pay $500-plus for crummy nosebleeds.<\/p>\n Melanie Karalis, 36,\u00a0public relations and brand engagement<\/p>\n Favourite venue: For intimate live music any day of the week, I love the Cameron House<\/a> and Drom Taberna on Queen West. For dancing, Standard Time on Geary is doing great things to bring more top house and techno talent to Toronto. For outdoor gigs, nothing beats the RBC Amphitheatre on a summer night.<\/p>\n Favourite concert memory: When I saw U2 at the Air Canada Centre (now Rogers Centre), my ticket was randomly selected to go inside the inner circle of the stage. It was my dad\u2019s birthday, and I was able to bring him too \u2014 it made for an epic gig.<\/p>\n Melanie Karalis says that\u00a0when it comes to outdoor concerts, \u201cnothing beats the RBC Amphitheatre on a summer night.\u201d<\/p>\n Sophie Bouquillon\/Toronto Star<\/p>\n Best shows this summer: The 99s at the Drake Hotel \u2014 this is such a fun night out for sing-along nostalgia. Doghouse Orchestra at Cameron House. Florence + the Machine at Scotiabank Arena.<\/p>\n On this summer\u2019s list: Rhythm Open Air: DJ Godfather and more at 131 McCormack St.; Metric<\/a>, Broken Social Scene and Stars at RBC Amphitheatre; Sex Pistols at History.<\/p>\n My concert look: Anything that\u2019s fun and comfortable to last all night. I always bring a button down!<\/p>\n Ana Pereira, 26, editorial<\/p>\n Favourite venue: RBC Amphitheatre. No matter where you are, you\u2019ll have a good view of the stage and a great time. The lawn is perfect for dancing with friends. I\u2019ve made awesome summer memories there.<\/p>\n Favourite concert memory: Taking my dad to see the Cure at Budweiser Stage in the summer of 2023. We held hands as we danced to \u201cJust Like Heaven.\u201d My dad was born in the \u201970s and I grew up listening to the Cure with him. When I was a teenager, I used to think his music taste was lame, but now I love it.<\/p>\n Best shows this summer: I haven\u2019t been to any concerts this summer \u2014 I spent money going to a World Cup game instead.<\/p>\n Ana Pereira is looking forward to seeing Big Thief at Meridian Hall this summer.<\/p>\n Sophie Bouquillon\/Toronto Star<\/p>\n On this summer\u2019s list: I\u2019m going to see Big Thief play Meridian Hall in August. This is my dream concert and I\u2019m very excited!<\/p>\n My concert look: Always a band or graphic T-shirt, comfortable shorts\/pants and sneakers. If I\u2019m feeling it, I\u2019ll wear Olivia Rodrigo-inspired winged eyeliner.<\/p>\n Most aggravating aspect of concertgoing: Waiting in the queue on Ticketmaster only to discover that tickets are sold out and you\u2019ll probably have to sell a kidney to pay resale prices.<\/p>\n Nicole Wynter, editorial administration<\/p>\n Favourite venue: The Mod Club. I was there in the early days and I\u2019m glad to see it\u2019s still going strong.<\/p>\n Favourite concert memory: Seeing the OG lineup of Duran Duran on their reunion tour in 2003 (I was too little to see them when they were first popular in the \u201980s). It was at the Kool Haus, and I got the set list afterward.<\/p>\n Best shows this summer: I\u2019ve seen a few artists at the FIFA Fan Festival site; including Deborah Cox, Kiesza and Dwayne Gretzky; Lambrini Girls at the Concert Hall; Jack White with Angine de Poitrine at RBC Amphitheatre<\/a>; Triples and Fleurs Electra at St. Anne\u2019s Church; Austra at Nathan Phillips Square; Digable Planets at the Phoenix Concert Theatre. My favourite would probably be Mei Semones at the Mod Club \u2014 she blends jazz, bossa nova, J-pop and grunge.<\/p>\n Nicole Wynter\u2019s favourite Toronto music venue is the Mod Club. \u201cI was there in the early days,\u201d she says, \u201cand I\u2019m glad to see it\u2019s still going strong.\u201d<\/p>\n Sophie Bouquillon\/Toronto Star<\/p>\n On this summer\u2019s list: This is all on the (very ambitious) wish list; I don\u2019t have tickets for anything at the moment: Tame Impala, J. Cole, Herbie Hancock, Kehlani, BTS, Arlo Parks, Wu-Tang Clan, Kim Gordon, Jungle, the Charlatans and Charli xcx.\u00a0<\/p>\n My concert look: No particular look \u2014 usually depends on the weather and who I\u2019m seeing, but comfortable shoes are always a must.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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