JUNE 1 – Journeying through the paths connecting the trail to the rave, I found myself being transported into another world. As the thumping of the house music grew ever louder, it felt like taking a tunnel through the night, leading directly to the beating heart of the music.
Despite pronouncements the last few years in the music press and social media about the death of Toronto nightlife, the first weekend of June proved these claims to be premature. Two underground and independently organized raves took place within a kilometre of each other, featuring three “stages” between them, breathing life into the city’s night scene. The music at these dance parties tends to focus on House music but spans the breadth of the genres.
Background
Typically, the lineup for these events features local DJs, which are those who have worked with and know the organizers, creating a tight-knit and supportive community vibe. At the most recent rave, the lineup boasted talents like Parallel, FX Bobby, Brock Edwards back-to-back with Bella, Justin Corrado, Pepe Calles, 23 GB Plugged In, Farouki, Javy Hoes, and J.A.M.
The underground rave scene is about more than just music—they’re about people coming together to celebrate and enjoy the beats. As the MC of 23GBreset’s event put it, “We do this for those of you that are here for the music. And that’s what we’re all about.”
This was evident in how I discovered these events. During part of my exploration of the city’s night life, I had ventured into Bassline Music Bar the previous day. Being the only customers in the early evening, I chatted with the bartender and the resident DJ playing at the time, Chaz Wagger, who invited me to the event organized by Echelon.
These events showcase the resilience and passion of Toronto’s underground music scene, offering a vibrant and eclectic mix of sounds that keep the city’s nightlife pulse beating strong. Far from being dead, Toronto’s underground rave scene is thriving in these hidden, yet dynamic, corners of the city.
Due to their unregulated nature, the locations of these raves must be closely guarded until closer to the night of the event, as they can be changed at the last moment. Following the organizers on Instagram is the most surefire way to know when the next party is going down. Links below:
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