Toronto is getting a new summer live music venue with the launch of a new concert series at The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium, formerly Rexall Centre amongst others at York University.
The series kicks off on June 27 in the most Canadian of ways with a performance by the Barenaked Ladies and will feature a lineup of renowned artists, including Shaggy and a special rock event dubbed “Big Shiny Saturday.”
The idea of live concerts at the tennis stadium is not new. And, for this scribe, it is actually the location of the one concert I regret not attending. Everyone has a concert they wish they didn’t miss. Many years ago, the late great Grammy Award-winning musician Levon Helm, co-founder of the greatest Canadian musical group in history, The Band, played a show at the stadium at York University. It was 2011, and he was opening for another legend, John Fogerty, as part of the Black Creek Music Festival.
Sadly, Helm passed away a year later. And that was the last I’d heard of anything but the thwap of tennis balls at the now Sobey’s Stadium.
But, times change and the idea of a concert series at the tennis centre is back in a big way this summer.
The Bowl, a 9000-seat open-air venue located on the York University campus, boasts 7,700 parking spaces and is easily accessible from nearby highways and the York University and Pioneer Village subway stations. This new venue aims to bring top-tier entertainment to a part of the city that has often been overlooked.
The series begins with a bang as Canadian icons the Barenaked Ladies take the stage on June 27, supported by Sam Roberts Band and KT Tunstall. Just two days later, on June 29, Grammy Award-winning reggae and dancehall legend Shaggy, famous for his hit “It Wasn’t Me,” will perform with R&B group 112.
The excitement continues on July 6 with Big Shiny Saturday, a night that promises to be a nostalgic trip for fans of 90s rock. The event will feature performances by The Tea Party, Headstones, I Mother Earth, Treble Charger, and Bif Naked—all of whom appeared on the iconic MuchMusic Big Shiny Tunes CD compilations, a staple of 90s music culture in Canada.
Tickets for these hot summer events will be available starting April 19 with presales beginning April 17.
Besides the stellar lineup, The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium offers luxurious amenities, including delectable dining options and private lounge suites, ensuring a premium experience for all attendees.