Legendary Toronto music venue is returning after heartbreaking closure
Following a devastating pandemic-era closure and a brief rebrand, one of Toronto's most iconic live music venues is rising from the ashes to reclaim its legacy.
The Mod Club, which was long celebrated as a launchpad for rising stars as well as a cornerstone of Toronto’s music scene, is officially returning to its original name after operating as The Axis Club since 2021.
The venue in Toronto's Little Italy neighbourhood shut its doors in 2020. It reopened the following year under new management and a new name, but now, in a move that nods to its vibrant past, the venue will once again be known as The Mod Club.
To mark the occasion, 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."
Initially launched in the early 200s by Bobbi Guy and Platinum Blonde lead vocalist Mark Holmes, the Mod Club began 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 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 there back in July 2011. Reflecting on the venue, he once described it as "the stage that changed my life."
Now under the ownership of Live Nation and led by longtime venue operator Manuel DaCosta, The Mod Club is ushering in a new era while also staying true to its roots.
"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," said DaCosta. "We look forward to welcoming fans as we usher in an exciting new era for the venue.'
The Mod Club is located at 722 College St.
Hector Vasquez
