| rev:text
| - There's some fantastic venues here in Toronto to go see a live band in. The history of the Horseshoe Tavern (http://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-horseshoe-tavern-toronto), the griminess of Lee's Palace (http://www.yelp.ca/biz/lees-palace-toronto), the thrust-out middle finger of punk sanctuary The Big Bop (http://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-big-bop-toronto). Then, off in the distance, is the Sound Academy, part of the Polsons Pier complex (http://www.yelp.ca/biz/polson-pier-entertainment-toronto). Slightly different here.
The main problem with the Sound Academy is the location. It's far away from the downtown core, making it a bit of a hike or cab ride if there's a band playing there that you wish to see. And there was a time where this would be worth the trip. Back in its heyday of being called "The Docks", the then unnamed Sound Academy seemed a little more elegant and a little more upscale. Now it seems like it's a larger-scale box that people perform in.
Admittedly the sound is quite decent there. The last show I was at had me at the back of the room where the sound was pure and definitely listenable. That I guess would be the saving grace. The reason I was at the back is that due to liquor licensing, the Sound Academy, or Polsons Pier, or whatever they're calling themselves this week, decided to keep people able to imbibe at an all ages show at the very back of the hall or trapped between a barricade and the single bar that snakes its way down the side of the venue. Thirsty and cramped is not the best way to see a show.
|