"Alarming" number of Toronto music venues closed before the pandemic
Toronto’s music venues were closing at an “alarming” rate even before the COVID-19 pandemic due to high rent and development, yet the industry plays a vital role in the city’s economy.
On Thursday, Mayor John Tory and the Canadian Live Music Association, in partnership with Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area and Ontario Creates, released the results of a two-year study, Re:Venues: A Case and Path Forward for Toronto’s Live Music Industry, which noted that music venues contribute $850 million and 10,500 jobs annually to the economy.
“Toronto’s live music venues contribute greatly to the city’s cultural, social and economic fabric but these venues require critical support in the face of ongoing pressures that have been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tory.
“This long-awaited study has confirmed the vital role the industry plays in our city and the commitment to supporting them not only through this pandemic but afterwards. I want to thank all the partners involved in helping us bring this study forward and for realizing the need for real support for artists and the music venues they rely on.”
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The study was conducted by Nordicity, which looked at the economic and cultural impacts of Toronto’s live music venues, “underscoring their importance to Toronto’s economy and highlighting the key role these establishments play in a thriving music ecosystem.”
The study notes that in recent years, Toronto has seen “an alarming number of venues close their doors.”
The closures of the Guvernment, the Brunswick House, the Central, the Hoxton, Not My Dog, Holy Oak, and others “are a reminder of the challenges, such as rising rent and redevelopment, that Toronto music venues face.”
There is also a lack of affordable housing and studio space has made up-and-coming musicians move outside of Toronto, despite the city’s venues, promoters, job opportunities, and other artists.
“Among the litany of closures, efforts have been made to save legendary venues from closing and to preserve Toronto’s musical heritage. Venues like El Mocambo, Hugh’s Room (now Hugh’s Room Live) and The Silver Dollar Room were either closed or were threatened by closure but were preserved and reopened or hope to reopen in the future,” the study adds.
It also provides recommendations for supporting and protecting the sector from the significant impacts of the pandemic.
The immediate priorities are to retain staff, save venues, and boost finances, with short-term priorities involving resuming operations within limited parameters and “addressing structural barriers to ensure sustainable businesses.”
And medium-term priorities being to improve consumer confidence to attend live music again.
Other findings from the study include the following:
- Labour income generated by the operations and tourism impacts of Toronto’s live music venues totals $514 million each year.
- On average, venues feature live music for four days per week, providing “an essential career stepping stone for emerging local artists while also entertaining audiences with a variety of touring acts. “Approximately two-thirds of the acts featured at these venues perform original music.
To help the industry, the city created a tax relief program to support this essential part of Toronto’s music scene.
Forty-eight establishments will receive a combined $1.7 million in property tax relief this year as a result of the city’s expansion of the Creative Co-Location Facilities Property Tax Subclass to support live music venues.
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