Catch a concert at one of the city’s lesser-known music hotspots.
Toronto is the world’s #1 concert stop for global music tours, beating out cities like London, New York City and Paris. Since 2015, a whopping 85.1 percent of global concert tours have stopped in the 6ix.
Part of the appeal is our arena scene, but that’s not all our city offers live music lovers. Many of Toronto’s performance venues have upgraded, expanded or renovated in the past few years, allowing fans to experience shows in fresh new ways.
Looking to catch a show? Here are 10 under-the-radar concert venues to consider.
HISTORY
Toronto rap legend Drake helped dream up the HISTORY concept and design, but there’s more to the space than his Midas touch.
Since opening in 2021, HISTORY’s innovative sound system, avant-garde LED light system and 22-foot-by-40-foot stage have won over global artists.
The 2,500-seater more than lives up to its name as Grammy-winners Tori Kelly and Honey Dijon (a DJ/producer from Beyoncé’s Renaissance project) have packed crowds here, as have chart-topping rappers like Latto and Ice Spice.
The upcoming list of alt and indie icons booked to play—Frank Black (January 29, 2025), Jack White (February 6, 2025), Foster the People (February 18, 2025), et al.—speak to HISTORY’s diverse lineups.
Neighbourhood: The Beaches
Allied Music Centre at Massey Hall
Massey Hall is known for booking groundbreakers who have changed our collective relationship with music (an illustrious list which includes Luciano Pavarotti, Bob Dylan, Justin Bieber, Dizzy Gillespie and Annie Lennox).
But, as of 2021, the venue once again broke new ground.
Its epic renovation—a $184 million project revealed in 2021—includes a massive expansion called the Allied Music Centre.
This seven-story glass building contains an intimate stage housing 500 seats on its fourth floor. A new generation of talent has already christened the space via events like HoneyJam, an incubator for emerging Canadian female artists from all walks of life and musical genres.
Neighbourhood: Downtown Yonge Street
The Bowl At Sobey’s Stadium
It may have opened its doors in summer 2024 with Barenaked Ladies, Sam Roberts Band, KT Tunstall and Shaggy making their mark on its massive stage.
But next year, The Bowl at Sobey’s Stadium is rumoured to be booking even bigger names.
With its 9,000-seat capacity and newly installed massive digital boards and video screens, Toronto’s newest stadium is sure to attract performers who like to go big before they go home. The only way to find out who they are is to sign up for The Bowl’s newsletter.
Neighbourhood: North York
The Academy
A stunning, secret gem located within Universal Music Canada’s offices (the music industry giant known for distributing everyone from Taylor Swift to Madonna), The Academy is breathtaking.
Walnut fins and bronze detailing flank the walls in this small yet powerful, 100-person space, which boasts a sound system so good it’s been used for recordings and live streams.
While Shawn Mendes is but one of the major names to sing here, The Academy is known for debuting up-and-comers at an ongoing event called The Hustle.
This multi-genre music bash has included mind-blowing performances by R&B/pop Caribbean Canadian performer WILL, Canadian Nigerian singer-songwriter Zenesoul and Australian jazz innovator Ellen Bryant.
Neighbourhood: Liberty Village
Annabel’s Music Hall
Although it only opened its doors to music lovers in 2023, Annabel’s impressive sound system and cool vibe (think small town bar experience, but with 500 seats) has attracted some of the most groundbreaking names in the electronic, soul, hip-hop and pop games.
Folk-fusion acolyte Martha Wainwright, trap-dance-hall reinventor Iniko, Argentine American singer-songwriter and K-pop icon eaJ have all graced Annabel’s stage, and 2025 promises more revelations, including American rapper Chris Travis (February 23, 2025) and French singer-songwriter Zaho De Sagazan (April 3, 2025).
Neighbourhood: Waterfront
Daniels Spectrum
The exterior of coloured concrete, metal panels and natural wood hints at the many shades of talent within the Daniels Spectrum building. This is particularly true of Ada Slaight Hall, its intimate 310-seat performance and event space.
Impeccable acoustics come courtesy of the same theatre consultant and acoustician who helped craft the pitch perfection at St. Petersburg, Russia’s esteemed Mariinsky II Theater.
Neighbourhood: Old Town
Handlebar
“Beer, booze, bikes and tunes” is how Rachel Conduit, owner of Handlebar, describes her locally loved venue, which hosts an average of one musical act a night and eight local beers on tap.
From electronic music to indie rock, the stage at Handlebar promises high-energy performances from global acts (think South Korea’s Korea Town Acid) to established local ones (like Toronto’s Shemona).
It also features a great throng of hand-picked musicians whom Conduit is fond of, including Toronto-based multi-instrumentalist Emmett Watters.
Try to plan your visit to catch one of Handlebar’s showcase sessions—multi-act shows which always surprise and delight.
Neighbourhood: Kensington Market
Burdock Brewery
Burdock’s compact music hall is as unpretentious, relaxed and easy-going as it gets.
The Ontario-crafted lagers available at the bar are as varied in taste as the talent on the stage. (The Lime Sose beer, Tater Ale and brine-heavy Spicy Lit Pickle seltzer are all worth a swig).
Check the brewery’s socials frequently to stay abreast of the multi-genre indie musicians who love to pop in and experiment.
Local legends Gentleman Reg and Kelly McMichael’s recent appearances are still talked about, and up-and-coming talent who have performed in the space include folk singer Leah Holtom and indie popster Paesler.
Neighbourhood: Bloordale (Westside)
Velvet Underground
Named after the Andy Warhol-blessed New York rock band, the Velvet Underground has gone through many incarnations.
Back in the 1990s, it was a goth and industrial rock haven, but after extensive renovations and a 2016 reopening, it has become a hotspot for stars (Doja Cat, Jack Harlow) and soon-to-be stars alike.
Polaris Music Prize-winning rapper, singer, songwriter and producer DJ Debby Friday regularly packs this 355-person room.
Upcoming shows include multi-genre shapeshifter Dua Saleh (February 11, 2025), Finnish death-doom band Swallow The Sun (February 21, 2025) and alt-pop songstress Emei (March 18, 2025).
Neighbourhood: Queen West
El Mocambo
Almost as famous for its comeback story as the legendary acts it has hosted in the past—including Blondie, The Rolling Stones and The Police—El Mocambo’s return to the limelight is one for the books.
The venue’s $35-million-plus makeover returned the 75-year-old building to its prime. Ever since it reopened in 2021, the roster of talent has kept piling up, from Toronto bands like The Beaches and Our Lady Peace to circa-1980s new wavers like ABC and leaders of the international vogue ballroom circuit.
This winter’s lineup includes Jarvis Church (February 15, 2025) and China Crisis (February 22, 2025).
Neighbourhood: Chinatown
