Promoters Jeff Cohen and Craig Laskey marked 20 years at the Horseshoe earlier this month.
The duo, who co-own Collective Concerts with Amy Hersenhoren, took over booking talent on August 1, 1995, and set about shifting the Canadian-centric venues programming to new music and touring American indie acts like Apples in Stereo, Neutral Milk Hotel and Link Wray. They also established an on-site booking and management office and made it friendlier to third-party promoters.
At the time, the venue showcased the very best local and national Canadian bands, says Laskey, now one of the Shoes co-owners. But it had no American or international presence, especially mid-week.
The day [owner] Kenny Sprackman hired us 20 years ago I also saw Wilco playing songs from their debut recording, AM, in the H-Shoe, he added, noting that the band is headlining Collectives Toronto Urban Roots Festival this September.
Who knew then how inspiring that show would be and that it was a symbol of things to come.
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