Toronto’s Iconic Mod Club Music Venue to Reopen Under Original Name
Toronto’s music scene is set to welcome back one of its most beloved live music venues, The Mod Club, which is reopening under its original name after a brief rebrand. The venue, located in Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood, shut its doors in 2020 due to the pandemic but reopened in 2021 under the name The Axis Club. According to a report from blogTO, the venue will once again be known as The Mod Club, marking a new era for the iconic music venue.
The Mod Club has a rich history in Toronto’s music scene, having been launched in the early 2000s by Bobbi Guy and Platinum Blonde lead vocalist Mark Holmes as a series of parties inspired by 1960s British "mod" culture. The parties found a permanent home in 2002 at a historic theatre, which was built in 1922, and quickly transformed into a beloved performance space. Over the years, the 600-capacity venue has hosted an impressive lineup of artists, including Amy Winehouse, The Killers, Calvin Harris, Florence + the Machine, Lana Del Rey, and Sia. Toronto singer and songwriter The Weeknd also made his live performance debut at The Mod Club in July 2011, describing it as "the stage that changed my life."
According to blogTO, to mark the occasion of its reopening, Toronto R&B singer Daniel Caesar is set to perform a special acoustic set on June 14, presented by Billboard Canada and NXNE. "I’m really glad to be coming back to the Mod Club to play after all these years," Caesar, who made his live debut at the venue in 2016, said in a press release. "That place will always have a special place in my heart."
The Mod Club is now under the ownership of Live Nation and led by longtime venue operator Manuel DaCosta. In a statement, DaCosta said, "We are excited to be a part of the Mod Club’s return to Toronto and solidifying its long-term future as a key part of Toronto’s music scene. We look forward to welcoming fans as we usher in an exciting new era for the venue."
The venue’s reopening is a significant development for Toronto’s music scene, which has seen the loss of several beloved music venues in recent years. The Mod Club’s return to its original name is a nod to its vibrant past and a testament to its enduring legacy. As blogTO reports, the venue is located at 722 College St. and is expected to continue hosting a wide range of artists and events in the coming months.
In an interview with blogTO, DaCosta highlighted the importance of The Mod Club to Toronto’s music scene, saying that it is a "key part of the city’s music infrastructure." The venue’s reopening is expected to have a significant impact on the local music scene, providing a new platform for emerging and established artists to perform.
The Mod Club’s reopening under its original name is a welcome development for fans of live music in Toronto. With its rich history and reputation for hosting talented artists, the venue is set to continue playing a vital role in the city’s music scene for years to come. As blogTO notes, the venue’s reopening is a testament to the enduring power of live music and the importance of preserving Toronto’s musical heritage.
