Come along take a ride on the Fantastic Voyage
Welcome to our July 2015 REGGAEMANIA EVENTS — We present to you a look through the lens of past July 2015 Reggae-Dancehall Events that took place the Toronto and surrounding areas. See event Flyers, Reviews, Videos and Pics, and listen/download our Audio Podcasts.
See Hot Pics — Timeless Classics ft Sanchez + Freddie McGregor + Stonelove @ Sound Academy 07.04.15
Good afternoon – this is Ron Nelson shouting out all of the fans who attended the TIMELESS CLASSICS concert last night at Sound Academy featuring Sanchez and Freddie McGregor live in concert. The show was a success from all accounts, and by midnight, there were close to 2,500 people inside the venue (mu unofficial guesstimate). In terms of audience dynamics – I should point out that the Timeless audience was made up of an older more mature reggae fan base, big people ting! Because of this, it should have been no surprise to promoters that with big people shows, audiences tend to arrive early, which was the case this night. The downside of this was seeing the Sound Academy parking lot get full rather quickly which created problems for regular late comers who had to turn around to find alternative parking, not to mention organizers who, for these reasons (as well as regular Toronto traffic congestion) could not pull off delivering the said artists to the venue on time for the advertised performance times. Having said that, let’s move on….
The first band to perform (the first that I saw) was the Human Rights Band led by vocalists “Friendlyness” (Rasta) and “Treson” (baldhead). This band came full with drummer, keyboardist, two guitarists, a three man horn section, etc. Graphically, they were interesting, not to mention that from an audience point of view, it looked like an all-white band on stage belting out some great reggae for a good 30 minutes and having fun doing it, all the while knowing that the crowd did not know their material. This Toronto band though, is experienced, confident, talented and very hardworking; big them up!
At 1:18 am, the big show finally started, (somewhat awkwardly-the audience were getting cross) with Sanchez starting things off still with a dynamic and golden voice which alone would be like a cure for a skeptical audience who had grown impatient and wanted the show to start (at this point event Stone Love were having problems keeping the crowd – they would go on the mic several times to let the crowd know the late start situation was not their fault and out of their hands).
Sanchez did his usual good show (I’ve seen him perform better), performing a medley of hits that also included some classic Dennis Brown, some Gospel (I didn’t know any of this, but everyone around me were singing these Gospel tunes word for word – do I need ore church?), as well as his own “timeless” classics. The massive, mostly female, loved his performance and by 2:10 am, the Sanchez (52 minute) show was complete, and now it was time for Freddie McGregor.
The first thing I’ll say is I thought Freddie would’ve opened this show, but having him as the show closer was probably the greatest thing, as he couldn’t have done a better job of recapturing a crowd that was still hungry for more after paying between $45 to $100 to attend “Timeless Classics”, and who were demanding to get their full money’s worth for their investment. No stranger to Toronto, Freddie is a smooth operator, an experienced performer who has this city pon lock – he had no problems taking control of the 80 percent female audience and delivering a really good performance that also included a surprise encore after already going all out for what already seemed like an hour long show.
Big up Freddie, Sanchez’s may be a songbird, but Freddie is more rounded showman and better show closer who really knows how to communicate with an audience (vs. a shy Sanchez who just kept belting out tunes without much to say to his fans)! Freddie appreciated his fans, and his fans appreciated Freddie, and big him up for his upcoming birthday. It was nice to see Sanchez return to the stage to sing happy birthday to Freddie, who was also presented with a special cake and everything. Freddie took it all in stride, used to the love, yet humble, poised and rock steady, just wanting to keep singing and performing, doing things that only veterans can do. Just a note – Big up Rosa too (Soul-to-Soul), he’s turning 67 later this week and appears in great health!
All in all, it was a good night, my only criticism – if the organization was a bit tighter and the show started when the audience was peaked, it would’ve been a much better night for the massive – they had to put up with a lot, and standing from 9 pm – 4 am is not an easy task for everyone. When all is said and done however, I’ll still big up the promoters for pulling off a difficult yet successful event. Big up all the people who bought their tickets from ReggaeMania.com! – sorry I was sold out early and couldn’t help out all of you who were scrambling for tickets right up until show time.
Pics and Videos by Ron Nelson (apologies for the distorted Audio)
Timeless Classics features Sanchez & Freddie McGregor & Stonelove inside Sound Academy (Toronto) Canada Day Long Weekend Saturday July 4/2015. Tickets Now On Sale. info: 647.504.1889. Canada Day Weekend Saturday July 4/2015 From Miami to New York from Jamaica and TOGETHER in Toronto!!! For the 1st Time Ever!!!…Live in Concert at The Sound Academy | 11 Polson Street, Toronto , ON, M5A 1A4 | SANCHEZ and FREDDIE McGREGOR Also Featuring The Immortal STONE LOVE Sound
Featured Artists: SANCHEZ with his Entire Band | FREDDIE McGREGOR & his Band | Immortal STONE LOVE Sound | Friendlyness , TréSon & Human Rights Band | Golden CHYLD | 2 Massive Headliners | 2 Full Bands | 4 Artists | 1 Massive Canada Day Concert | Hosted By: Delroy G from G98.7FM (Tune in 3pm – 6pm on G98.7FM) & Mr. Presto from Island Xplosion 105.5FM | Featured Deejay’s: Playing the best in || Reggae || Lovers Rock || Soul || Conscious || Top 40 | The Immortal STONE LOVE | Spex | Soul 2 Soul Grand Master Rosa | Soul Vibes | Doors Open At 9pm | Performances start at 11pm Sharp | Casual – Semi Attire Approved | Arrive Early To Avoid Long Line Ups | This Event Will be SOLD OUT!!! | Thousands Will Attend, Don’t miss Out!!… | This is a Full Bar Licensed Event !!! PRICING: Limited Tickets $45 – SOLD OUT!?!? But Wait….Ticket Update: | Compliments of Mr. Clarendonian Freddie McGregor and Sanchez….One Time Only… | 100 Limited Artists Ticket Specially Priced As A Father’s Day Special at only $48.88 | …This Offer is for ONLINE Ticket Purchases Only and runs 72 hrs from today (June 18th) until Saturday (June 20th) at 12 Midnight Sharp!!! | …So Clarendonian, The West Indies, Europe & North America Link UP…Gone Way Up! | Limited Advance Tickets $60…This will sell out so Act Fast (currently 52% Sold) and Price Will Increase @ The Door. | Purchase Our VIP ELITE Package for $100 which includes: VIP Entry (LINE BY PASS)+ VIP Section + VIP Complimentary Drink + VIP Meet & Greet Tickets + VIP GIVEAWAY BAG (Only 200 Tickets Available & can only be purchased online, at ReggaeMania.com or call for Delivery) 88% Sold Almost Done!!! Or Purchase Our VIP PLUS Package for $80 which includes: VIP Entry (LINE BY PASS) + VIP Complimentary Drink (Only 400 Tickets Available & can ONLY be purchased online) 82% SOLD | Tickets & Information & Authorized outlets ONLY Please see FLYER or ReggaeMania.com for Info. | 24 Hour Contact: 647 504 1889 | 416 629 9365 | 416 662 6938 | LIVE IN CONCERT | 2 MASSIVE HEADLINERS | 2 Full Bands | 2 Artists | CARIBBEAN & CANADIAN XPLOSION IN THE AIR… REMEMBER OUT OF MANY NATIONS WE ARE ALL 1 PEOPLE!!!
Ticket Outlets:
East:
Mona’s Roti (4810 Sheppard Ave. E.) 416.412.1200
Drupati’s . 416.289.9988
Broadway fashion (Scarborough Town Centre) 416.296.0609
Nicey’s (Scarborough) 416.497.9717
Spice Is Rite (2179 Lawrence Ave. E.) 647.4430.7732
2 Lined Music Hut (Malvern Town Centre) 416.264.3999
ReggaeMania.com (401 & Victoria Park @ York Mills 3 l. S. of 401)
Mowet (East End Ticket Delivery) 416.662.6938
Downtown:
Play De Record (357-a Yonge St.) 416.586.0380
Ajax:
Drupati’s Doubles Roti Inc. (252 Bayly St. W.) 905.686.8100
Newmarket:
Trendsetters (87 Davis Dr.) 905.898.8241
London Ont:
DJ King C (Ticket Delivery in London) 519.619.3998
West:
Soul Vibes (783 Lawrence Ave. W.) 647.971.8929
Treasure Isle Records (Eglinton West) 416.787.7615
Drupati’s Doubles & Roti (975 Albion Rd.) 416.745.4189
Lloyd’s 1hr Photo (2349a Finch Ave. W.) 416.749.0433
Tinnel’s Patties (6210 Finch Ave. W.) 416.741.3519
Tinnel’s Patties (2517 Eglinton W.) 416.657.0108
Tinnel’s Patties (364 Signet Drive) 416.743.1582
Sunrise Caribbean Restaurant . 416.614.7776
Sheridan Mall-Plaza (1700 Wilson Ave.)
Brampton:
Jamaica House Kitchen (80 Pertosa Dr.) 905.460.0651
Jamaica House (145 Clearance St.) 905.230.5622
Nicey’s (Brampton) 9095.450.6045
Gems House of Jerk (20 Gillingham Dr.) 905.453.6454
Drupati’s Restaurant (4550 Ebenezer Rd.) 905.794.5944
Mississauga:
Granny’s Place (2545 Hurontario St.) 905.272.4950
Drupati’s Roti & Doubles (1085 Bellamy Rd. N.) 416.289.9988
Charlie’s (Mississauga Square One W.) 905.896.3663
Hamilton:
Kelly’s Boutique (109 King St. E.) 289.389.1379
Kitchener:
Rainbow Caribbean Cuisine (29 King St. E.) 519.579.2618
