Watching this documentary on CFNY last night, I was reminded of how important accessible commercial spaces are to growing a vibrant art culture.
A lot of my friends used to work in the club scene in this era. They'd often bond over the various clubs along Queen West, and the people they met there. Oh the stories they'd tell.
U2's first stadium show was (arguably) in Toronto. So many of the names you know came out of here because some indie radio station played their music, and young people had places to hang out that were willing to play a whole different genre of music.
The city needs cultural institutions like this. We need space and support and affordable living to sustain all of these things. That's how you get a great city in the first place.
