Toronto is set to welcome back its 100-year-old venue, the iconic Concert Hall. The 1,500-capacity venue is situated inside the Masonic Temple at 888 Yonge Street, and will reopen its doors after 19 years with Toronto Jazz Fest being the first event to take place inside its hallowed halls.
The building was the site of the first Led Zeppelin concert in Toronto in 1969. Before that, it played host to Frank Sinatra’s private parties in the ’50s and was an ideal venue for big-band concerts in the ’30s and ’40s. Other acts that played in the Concert Hall include Iggy Pop, Big Daddy Kane, A Tribe Called Quest, Smashing Pumpkins, Nina Hagen, The Cure, Beastie Boys, KRS-One, The Tragically Hip, Rage Against The Machine and Sloan.
When it was purchased by Bell Media in 1998, the space ceased to hold public concerts as the building was used to host shows such as eTalk and Open Mike With Mike Bullard.
"We are excited to partner with the TD Toronto Jazz Festival and reintroduce this historic venue to a new generation of music lovers,” said executive director of 888yonge Inc, William Russell. The Toronto Jazz Fest will take place from June 23 to July 2. It will include performances from Randy Bachman, Walter Trout and special guests.