Budweiser Stage has long been Toronto’s premier destination for outdoor concerts between the months of May and October. Now in its fourth decade, the 16,000+ capacity venue, previously known as Molson Amphitheatre, has hosted just about every major artist that has passed through the city in its time.
The list of talent that has performed on its stage is long and impressive: Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Eminem, Sabrina Carpenter, The Tragically Hip, Foo Fighters, Rush, The Weeknd, David Bowie, Lauryn Hill, Tom Petty, Eagles, Kendrick Lamar, Céline Dion, Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, The Cure, Van Halen, SZA, Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode, Jonas Brothers, Nickelback, and Katy Perry. The venue has also become the unofficial home of Drake’s OVO Fest, and hosted travelling music festivals such as Lilith Fair, Edgefest, Outlaw, Vans Warped Tour, Ozzfest, Rock the Bells, Mayhem, Up In Smoke, Virgin, Curiosa, and Kumbaya.
As it turns 30 years old in 2024, Budweiser Stage is continuing the tradition of drawing the biggest names in music to the city to provide lasting memories for all concertgoers. This summer will see the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Avril Lavigne, Imagine Dragons, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Arkells, Sarah McLachlan, Tate McRae, Creed, Kings Of Leon, Alanis Morissette, The Beaches, The Killers and more headline shows. The venue also expects to reach one million fans through its gate, which will make it the first North American amphitheatre to achieve that mark.
We spoke to Joey Scoleri, Senior Vice President Industry Relations for Live Nation, about the venue’s illustrious history, some of the highlights he has witnessed and what makes it different from other concert venues not just in the city, but across North America.
What was the first show you attended at Budweiser Stage (formerly known as Molson Amphitheatre)?
Joey Scoleri: I was working at Q107, hosting the afternoon show and I did my program from the venue on its first day, May 18, 1995. I interviewed Bryan Adams [the first artist to ever perform at the venue]. Having been to many shows at the Forum at Ontario Place, it was really different to be there in a venue that didn’t have a revolving stage and was much, much bigger. The show was really good, the crowd was electric, and he played “Summer of ’69” for the encore, which was somehow even more poignant that night.
What is your favourite show you’ve seen at the venue?
I literally can’t remember how many I have seen over the years but two last year stand out for the same reason: two bands who lost members over the years but still brought the big emotional moments. Lynyrd Skynyrd on August 27, 2023 was extremely emotional as they had lost their final original member Gary Rossington but used live video of his intro slide guitar solo to “Freebird.” It was chilling and only topped by the video tribute to all the past members who had passed away in the plane crash in 1977, and over the years after that. I’ve played “Freebird” too many times to count when I was on air at Q107, and I never thought I could appreciate the song again but that night I did more than I ever have. It was beautiful, and the 17,000 fans in attendance lost their minds by the time they reached the peak of the track. Stunning.
Pantera was the other show on August 12, 2023. The band reunited with Zakk Wylde on guitar, replacing Dimebag Darrell, who was murdered in 2004 by a deranged fan, and Charlie Benante of Anthrax filling in for Vinnie Paul on drums, who passed away at 54 in 2018. Vinnie and Darrell were brothers and founded the band, but somehow the current foursome was able to bring the ferocity that night in a manner that I couldn’t have imagined. By the time they played “I’m Broken” five songs in, they had the sold-out venue levitating off the ground with the sheer power. It was magnificent.
How do you think this venue differs from others in the city of Toronto?
It is magical at times because it’s on the water, and the audience can see the skyline, including the CN Tower, while the performers can’t, which creates a unique dynamic. The fact the venue is on Lake Shore Boulevard and separated from the rest of the city also adds to the allure; you have to walk across a bridge to get there and there are boats docked around the venue. There isn’t any venue like it in North America, much less all of Canada. It’s truly one of the country’s treasures as far as performance venues go.
What are some of the biggest, most "you-had-to-be-there" shows in the venue’s history?
OVO Fest [2019] the year the Raptors won the NBA Championship where Drake recreated a giant Larry O’Brien trophy on stage, that was a mind blower. Van Halen in 2015 on their reunion tour with David Lee Roth was great, as Eddie Van Halen was in peak form. With his son Wolfgang on bass, and brother Alex on drums, it was three Van Halens plus one Roth – a great musical alchemy creating a hard rock classic evening. Blue Rodeo plays the venue every summer and that has grown into a must-attend event for the Toronto fans who love a great evening of Canadian rock in the most beautiful setting. They’re going on year 24, I think.
Are there any great stories that stand out when it comes to memorable performances or moments at the Budweiser Stage?
Our President of Music Erik Hoffman tells a great story:
We’ve had some hardcore fans. In 2018, Slayer came to Toronto on what was supposed to be their final tour. The bill was stacked - a real who’s who of that era of thrash metal, like Anthrax and Testament. This one dude came early and got kicked out for unruly behaviour, but nothing too dark. Then he did what you do if you’re a diehard metal fan? He jumped in the water and started swimming back across. Someone alerted me, and my first thought was, “amazing.” We watched him from the bands’ dressing rooms. I told the staff to let him back in. He’d put in the effort.
What can you tell us about your plans for its 30th anniversary?
We are booking over 80 shows this year from May 20 to October 1, and the plan is to help artists bring joy and great memories to as many fans as possible for as long as we possibly can.