The available options for a 4,000-person concert space in Toronto are slim, especially if you want to be outdoors. So we met news of Molson Amphitheatre’s new sister venue, Echo Beach, with considerable curiosity (and some reservations).
Nothing’s built yet, and when we explored the area, there wasn’t much to see other than tents and volleyball courts (see photo above) for the corporate functions the land was previously used for. This is what we’ve learned from a conversation with Brian Kehoe of Live Nation, which will run Echo Beach in cooperation with Ontario Place.
Drinkers will be isolated from underage concertgoers. Live Nation promises that the licensed areas will have good views of the stage, though, so hopefully you won’t have to choose between beer and bands. We’re cautiously optimistic.
Shows will go on even if it rains. But there’s no plan to provide shelter for the audience. Let’s assume they’ll allow umbrellas.
Because of their close proximity, Echo Beach and the Molson Amphitheatre will avoid holding simultaneous shows. There would be too much noise bleeding between the venues, says Kehoe. However the possibility of using Echo Beach as a secondary stage for festivals is being considered.
Can we expect only Live Nation shows at Echo Beach? Nope. The land is owned by Ontario Place, and the company is open to renting the space, as it does for the Molson Amphitheatre, to outside promoters.
TTC users will still have to take that long walk through the CNE grounds to get there. But there’s plenty of parking, -assuming your driver isn’t drinking. Who knows, maybe in a few decades Ford’s magic subway will have a stop nearby?
All concerts and events will end at 11 pm. Even though Echo Beach is far from any residential neighbourhood, Toronto ain’t the city that never sleeps, don’t you know?
