Echo Beach

the bf and i checked out edgefest here for three nights this summer. i would recommend ubering here as opposed to driving as parking is $ 25 flat. the security will scan your tix on the phone even though they tell you to print them. they are ridiculous about IDing though — they made us feel like we were being observed by a SWAT team at all times. on the other hand, they are incredibly chill about people smoking weed and cigarettes as we were smelling those throughout the events.
i would recommend drinking beforehand as beer in here is near $ 20. people also brought blankets to sit on the sand which i thought was a cool idea. the port-​a-​potties are ridiculously gross. music quality is okay. wear flip flops for the sand.
overall, not the worst music venue in this city but not the best either.

I don’t understand why monopolies are allowed to exist in venues like this. And I definitely don’t understand why Canadians bend over and pay $ 16 for a can of beer and line up for 1 hr for an $ 8 ear of corn. It’s mind boggling. But it’s pretty much what this country has become… a few massive corporations that control everything. Why not have local craft breweries selling here? Why not invite in several of each type of vendor and allow them to compete for their business as opposed to have it handed to them on a silver platter? This place is just one big disgusting corporate money machine and it’s filled with flies and seagulls poo-​ing on your $ 6 slices of pizza.

Originally, I was a bit unsure about this venue because it was located pretty far from Union station and it was an outdoor venue (on sand!). But it exceeded my expectations.
It wasn’t too hard finding the venue, all it took was one TTC ride to The Ex. I did have to ask someone how to get to the venue after I got off at The Ex, though. It’s a good 10 – 15 minute walk from The Ex, you have to go to the side and then walk through the CNE. It was around early August when I went so all the attractions for the CNE were up but everything was fenced. It was slightly confusing when I got to the venue because it’s right next to the Molson Amphitheatre.
I got VIP for my event, so I didn’t go to the venue the regular way, we were all sectioned off and then had early access to the general admission area. If you don’t enjoy getting sand in your shoes (like me), the venue had two metal barriers in the middle that separated the left half and the right half and you could stand on the floor of the barrier (so that you didn’t have to stand on the sand).
I fairly enjoyed the concert, I thought it was a pretty good view. But mind you, I had VIP so I was at the front of the audience and I was also fairly taller than most of the people there (I’m around 5’6 and there were lots of little kids and teenagers).
Like all general admission concerts, you’ll get your occasional pushing and shoving and pushing and shoving. I had to shield this little girl in front of me from getting pushed at one point. Make sure you stand your ground! Also, I left halfway through the concert, and that was a pain.
Overall, solid venue. I might be biased because I was at the front, but it’s a good venue for an outdoor concert on a nice day (especially around sunset) and it’s decently sized.
Also, parents: there’s a patio on the side that lets you watch the concert if you want to skip all the pushing and shoving.

The Good: It’s outdoors and there’s sand. All concerts at this venue are GA, weather permitting.
(Personally, I hate the feel of dry sand on my feet, so it’s only good if you like the feel!)
The Bad: Somewhat inconvenient location. Not directly accessible via TTC as you hafta get off at The Ex and walk through a good chunk of the fair, through crowds, across the bridge, through a few security checkpoints.
Security forces you to dump your water bottle in favour of their drink — both alcoholic/​non — vendors. I think a tallboy was like $ 15 or something as ridic as that!
Since it’s General Admission, if you’re short like me, tall people will inevitably stand right in front of you, blocking your view. So get up-​close! Also there are smokers EVERYWHERE that you cannot escape — especially if you’re short. So be prepared to intake your fair share of second-​hand smoke!
Parking — NIGHTMARE. $ 25 and a complete nightmare if you exit with the rest of the concert goers.
DO NOT do drugs here. If you pass out or there’s any kind of emergency situation, paramedics hafta fight their way through the crowds.
Tip: It’s a bit of a walk, but park somewhere in Liberty Village — $ 5!

I went to Echo Beach for the first time in 2012 to see The Offspring.
This venue was excellent.
It’s outdoors, it’s sand, it’s general admission, no seats yay!!! (unlike molson next to it)
I was able to see my favourite band up close and personal for a decent price.
Merch was the same price as always, alcohol was expensive as always, but I thought it was kinda neat that they had ice cream bike guys moving around the venue.
You can also purchase VIP tickets and sit on an elevated platform far away from the stage but I honestly don’t know anyone who likes to sit at a concert.
Location is great, easily accessible from Go train, No complaints from me :)

Do yourself a favor and get a VIP ticket if you’re going to a concert. It gives you exclusive access to a patio and a 19+ bar.
Unfortunately, these tickets were sold out by the time I got my hands on some. This will put you at the mercy of screaming fans which will constantly try to push their way to the front of the stage. Also, wear flip flops (unless you want to ruin your nice shoes). I wore platform sandals so it gave me a bit of leverage for tippy toeing. Parking is $ 20 from May-​Aug and I think $ 15 from Sept-​Apr.
A beach concert in May (regardless of whether or not it is at the beginning or the end of the month) is a BAD idea. I was subjected to pouring rain, heavy winds and quite possibly, a horrible cold (having been outside for 2 hours). Had the weather been amazing, this concert would’ve been 100x better. However, those are the risks that come with going to an outdoor concert. Can’t say I’d be surprised if half the audience went home with a cold though.
Dress appropriately and watch the weather network. Marina was still, nonetheless, stunning in person and made it well worth the experience. I’m thankful that she didn’t mess around, go backstage and wait for us to scream and shout at her for an encore (I think her sips of whiskey was helping her keep warm). She’s an absolute sweetheart; she also asked the audience to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ for one of her band members. Marina and the diamonds is a phenomenal singer. Like I said before, WELL WORTH IT!