December 14 2014 – Tis the season for top 10 lists for 2014. We threw down our Top 10 Movies of 2014 first and you can read that here. We then focused on our Top 10 Rock Albums of the year found here. We are currently working on our ever popular Top 10 Indie Bands of 2014 and our Top 10 Concerts of 2014, but right now we focus to our favorite joints to go listen to what we call #RealRock. This is Toronto’s Best Concert Venues of 2014.
Caveat – these categories are just arbitrarily made up but in essence these are the best rock joints in Toronto! Thanks to these venues for keeping live music pumping in the GTA.
Best Bar (Small) – The Hideout Capacity of 250
The most amazing bar on Queen Street. Lots of space, a killer patio, a wide stage where a four piece band doesnt actually have to touch shoulders to fit, and flowing cold beverages makes The Hideout our favorite joint on Queen Street for the 3rd year in a row. It is essentially our home away from home for both CMW and NXNE, so if you havent been there get going!
Best Bar (Medium) – The Rockpile Capacity of 350
The Rockpile is the best venue to see classic rock acts from the past. They have many other types of genres going there also but for us it is the only place to see major acts of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Friendly crowd, reasonably priced beer, and an amazing sound system. This is our home away from home and we could go there every weekend as there is always someone great playing there. There were 2 Rockpiles in 2014 but unfortunately we hear that the east end one is shutting down.
Best Bar (Large) – The Phoenix Capacity of 1350
The Phoenix has come back on our radar in a big time this year with lots of Q107 shows being put on there including the amazing Led Zeppelin discography from Michael White and The White. The Phoenix has a nice warm vibe despite its black walls, and the view from the front row of the stage is one of the best in the city to see Rock. We even got to see two of our favorite bands this year at The Phoenix as both Rival Sons and One Bad Son tore the roof off the place
Best Concert Hall (Small) – The Danforth Music Hall Capacity of 1500
The Danforth continues to impress and as the only venue on our list that can change from a GA standing room venue to a full theater style seating room. The old school theater charm, the amazing craft beer, and the insanely good sound system make this place our favorite to see rock and roll. The coolest thing about the GA arrangement is that the floor is angled nicely so even if you are in the middle or back of the floors you still can actually see the stage. Amazing venue – The Danforth is a staple on our list of Toronto’s Best Concert Venues!
Best Concert Hall (Large) – The Sony Centre Capacity of 3200
This is as good as it gets in Toronto. Killer sight-lines, amazing crystal clear sound, and great leg (and shoulder) room. The Sony Centre didn’t host as many killer rock shows as we would have hoped for in 2014 but we know that we will be going back there and very often at that! Best big venue in Toronto with some major pedigree (O’Keefe Centre and Hummingbird Center in the past had huge acts such as The Who and Led Zeppelin!)
Best Small-Mid Size Arena – The General Motors Centre Capacity of 5500
Hands down the best venue to see mega-acts in the GTA. Forget the impossible to get to Molson Amphitheater, the ridiculously overpriced Air Canada Centre and the airplane hanger that hosts concert – the Rogers Centre. If you want to see bands like Yes, Heart and Queens of the Stone Age in a killer mini arena head on over to Oshawa and don’t forget to listen to 94.9 The Rock all the way there. The GM Centre should not be missed so make sure you visit it at least once in 2015.
The Rockpile East was closed since the end of October. They couldn’t make a go of it because of low attendance and high rent for the location. I had gone a couple of times. Once for Lee Aaron and for My Favorite Headache. Good sightlines, sound and prices. Too bad they could not make it work as I live close by.
Sorry that should have been November.
I know I kinda liked the fact of being able to have 2 options!
Rockpile West is way too far for me to go to a concert. Downtown is far enough. Would have to be someone who I just had to see to travel out there.