An Introduction

HELLO! Welcome to Karolina’s Concert Guide, a blog dedicated to all things music and concert related. 

You could say that I am a concert addict. I have been to more than 80 shows, explored the majority of live event venue spaces that Toronto has to offer, and climbed on several stages (no crowd surfing yet, but watch out in 2020!). I have stamped my passport for them, waited 12 hours in the heat, snow, and rain, skipped class and work (sorry mom), picked a fight with several security guards (didn’t win), and have been voted “most likely to lose life savings on concert tickets” - honestly? they were not wrong!  A good friend of mine recently asked me why I don’t share my experiences and advice with others - and to that I answered “good question… “ After many years of concert-hopping, I have gathered many stories and tips that could benefit others who share the same love that I do for live music.  All in all, I have experienced and learned a lot. And I would like to share that with you all.

Live music for me is something akin to oxygen - I simply could not live without it. Music is a very big part of my personality, and I spend many hours listening to favourite artists, finding new recommendations, and bonding over artists and shows with friends and family. I have met many good friends waiting in concert lines, shared unforgettable memories with strangers and loved ones, and experienced many emotional moments with my favourite artists. Concerts are my favourite pastime, and the place where I feel the most freedom and genuine happiness. 

I often get asked, “Karolina, you say that you’re an introvert. How can you spend so many of your evenings out in the city with so many strangers?” That is a fair point. I wholeheartedly consider myself an introvert, and quickly get tired in situations that require extended social contact. However, there is a certain magic that can be found at concerts. They are a place where you can connect with hundreds of strangers, who have nearly nothing in common with you except for the love of the artist that is illuminated on the stage. We are often divided in meaningless categories, which fall apart once you enter the venue.

Concerts are liminal spaces where you can forget about all of your problems and anxieties - the atmosphere changes once the venue lights dim, neon lights blind you, and crowd yells at the same time. It’s one of the only places where you can feel alone and connected at the same time. It is peaceful, it is cathartic, it is home.

Living in Toronto, Canada is a blessing as many fantastic artists and bands include my city in their tours. Whether it be a small, “underground” band playing at The Horseshoe Tavern, or a worldwide famous band having a 2-night gig at the Scotiabank Arena (RIP ACC, forever in our thoughts), I acknowledge the privilege of the expansive live music scene in this city, and would like to celebrate it.

I have created this blog as a guide to Toronto’s live music scene, and to put a spotlight on all of the talented musicians and performers who visit the city. Each weekly blog post will focus on a different part of the concert experience, including specific concert spotlights, venue reviews, tips on ticketing and beating the system (fight me, Ticketmaster), budgeting, and much more. Whether you are a frequent concert aficionado, or prefer to see your favourite artists every once in a while, this blog can be a help to all. 

Thank you to those who have read their way to the end of my first blog post - I hope that you will join along in my journey of head banging, mosh-pitting, and behind the scenes adventures. 

Tune in next week, where we will be discussing the best ways to find about shows happening in your area, so that you will never accidentally miss seeing your favourite artists live again. 

ROCK ON!