Toronto’s Velvet Underground, a much-loved alternative music hangout. It will be its last October show, closing an important chapter for the legendary Long Island venue. Velvet Underground first opened in the short, sleepy mid-90s boom of nightclubs focused on goth and industrial music. Over the last three decades, it’s turned into a cherished destination for live music acts, featuring shows from major artists and homegrown local bands alike.
After a major renovation, the venue reopened in February 2016, returning the space to its original identity, with an unquestionable focus on live music. It was this metamorphosis that breathed new life into Velvet Underground. It paved the way for an unrelenting energy that excited its diehard regulars and first-time guests alike. Since then, artists including Alanis Morissette have provided highly personalized performances in an inviting, cozy atmosphere. This has cemented its place as one of Toronto’s most unique live music venues.
Even though Velvet Underground is likely approaching its final days, the space is still loaded with amazing shows all across October. Fans can expect one more opportunity to see and enjoy its distinctive features! The news that they’re closing has brought a wave of sadness from all the Torontonians and music fans worldwide.
Community Impact
Its closure leaves a huge hole in Toronto’s music scene. As you can imagine, local residents are outraged over the announcement. As one Torontonian described his experience, “It’s a big part of the scene that’s here, so it sucks to see it get shut down.” One other resident regretted, “It’s a shame. Toronto doesn’t have that many nice music venues left, I find.”
Recently, many have been closed permanently due to the pandemic. In answer to the accelerating pace of venue loss, Toronto City Hall created the Toronto Music Advisory Committee. The committee aims to strengthen the live music industry while helping clubs like Velvet Underground remain operational.
Chair of this committee, Councillor Brad Bradford, has taken a personal interest in remedying the challenges faced by live music venues. He empathized with the struggles that spaces like Velvet Underground face. He continued, “We’ve eased and updated several zoning requirements to make it easier to operate – and plan – a live music venue here in the city.” We’ve worked with bylaw on some noise exemptions… but it’s clearly not enough.”
A Legacy in Music
Velvet Underground’s legacy extends beyond its physical space. It represents a community of artists and musicians who have contributed richly to Toronto’s cultural tapestry. The small, intimate venue is well-known for their promotion of lesser-known bands on the rise. It provides them the unique opportunity to play in front of these huge, captive, frenzied crowds. The closure signals the loss of a beloved community hub. It raises awareness to the issues that local live music venues still struggle with in metropolitan areas today.
As the city navigates these challenges, many hope that initiatives like the Toronto Music Advisory Committee will foster a more supportive environment for live music in the future.
