Homework Assignment: What Are the Must-See Stops on a Cross-Canada Musical Roadtrip?
This email arrived from Candace in Fort McMurray dealing with the awful fire situation. It’s time for a vacation.
In the next few months, I am road tripping Canada, six weeks to the east coast, two weeks to the west coast. Where are some cool Canadian music destinations I must visit besides The National Music Centre in Calgary, 25 Dockside Drive in Toronto [home to Corus Radio and 102.1 the Edge!] and, of course, Kingston Ontario. What is your expert opinion?
Let’s crowdsource this problem. Where do you suggest Candace visit? Some suggestions:
- You MUST go to the Lower Deck in Halifax (Kathryn)
- The Key to Bala in Bala, Ontario (Wyatt and about six others)
- How about Kingston (the origin of The Hip) and PEI for the home of Stompin’ Tom Connors? (Jen)
- I want to suggest the Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg. Also a maybe a place called The Nook. (Simon)
- Two of the better music venues I’ve crossed in my travels that you haven’t mentioned are Plan B in Moncton NB and The Casbah in Hamilton. Always passing new and upcoming acts through their doors as well as drawing in established acts. Have a look at their lineups. (Gary)
- Please tell Candace to visit The Split Crow and The Lower Deck in Halifax. Both are awesome for live, local music. (Lynne)
Unfortunately most of my favourite music stores to visit across Canada have closed in the past couple of years. In Edmonton Black Byrd Music is still a great stop for shopping.
Venue wise, I always like to visit
Toronto – Bovine Sex Club
Saskatoon – Amigos
Edmonton – The Mercury Room
Probably the most obvious, but Massey Hall and the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto both have loads of history (the Horseshoe is a terrible music venue by objective standards but its history and ambiance make it a must)
I agree completely, Mike.
Foufunes Electriques in Montreal
Massey Hall and the HRC (ex Friar’s Tavern) for the historic value, in TO. Also the Horseshoe.
Stratford, ON has also a relation with the Band (Loreena McKennitt and Bieber too).
The tour stops in Hard Core Logo (and the whole town in 2?).
Bobcaygeon, ON – for the Hip connection?
Metal Werks in the ‘Sauga, if you are a metal head (maybe if contacted in advance you can get a tour?).
The ex Maple Leaf Gardens in TO – kinda sad that it’s now a friggin’ supermarket but it has plenty history, Including the Fab Four.
From the top of my head.
-G.
Oh, the church where the Junkies recorded, behind the Eaton Ctr – alas, TO again.
-G.
This Ain’t Hollywood in Hamilton is also a must stop, for those into the punk and alternative scene, and Hugh’s Room, in Toronto.