Tommy Four Seven at Moskito

[erika]

We got there as BSU was laying down a great set: much harder than anything I've heard him play here in other venues, and good.

At one point I actually said "this is the best gallopey music I've ever enjoyed", and it was!

This was my first time at Moskito. Getting in was no hassle; the room is alright, the bar staff nice.

The dj booth was set up at one end with what seemed like HUGE bottle service/VIP areas around, which is always a bit of a mood killer.

I bumped into Hali, on a visit back from Berlin, who told me that when he had played there earlier, the space was more raw, and the dj booth set up across from the bar.
I can see how that would make for a much better vibe. In this layout, you are back to the bowling alley kind of feel (same issue as Revival) with people tending to face forward towards the booth.

Good pockets of fun dancers scattered throughout, a good crowd overall (much less "bro" vibe than at Pearson Sound).

Then Tommy Four Seven came on, and proceeded to play a set that became increasingly dreary, something we named "relentless teutonic techno". You kept counting the beats waiting for any kind of more interesting little flourish to be added in, and it just didn't.

As for the sound, it's not great, and in that bowling alley configuration you really notice it: pockets here and there are "ok" but there doesn't seem to be any sweet spot.

Security, while polite and all, were VERY noticeable, in suits all over the place. More than unnecessary as far as I'm concerned.

Not a place I'm in a hurry to revisit.

As for techno, this made me miss Steve Bug SOOOOO MUCH!

 

[JamesM]

In this layout, you are back to the bowling alley kind of feel (same issue as Revival) with people tending to face forward towards the booth.

Not a place I'm in a hurry to revisit.

christ, most times I go to these things, I usually end up facing the DJ booth! Have I been doing it wrong?

 

[WestsideWax]

obv.

 

[Bernnie Federko]

So the sound still isn't any good?

 

[WestsideWax]

Most reviews I've heard about the place say the sound is still lacking, even though after the Rob Hood gig sometime back I was assured by the owner that the various issues I'd pointed out had been corrected. Sucks to have such a large, viable space in the core helmed by people who don't seem to have a clue how to make it shine.

 

[JamesM]

I assure you this place is the next industry in the making. I've had no complaints the past couple times i've been there. regarding the sound.. it's filled in 10 fold. and just leave it alone as it is growing quickly.

hector alone was one of those special industry type nights, in all regards.

 

[Bernnie Federko]

I'll ask again, is the sound good (or just 'improving')

 

[erika]

I wouldn't say it's "good".

And yeah, JamesM I know what you mean about facing the dj booth, but when it's a long skinny space, you end up with tons of people really just facing one direction, whereas when the space in front is wider than it is long, it just creates a different dynamic.

Plus I like to dance and not just stand and watch nob twiddling head bopping.

 

[JamesM]

Erica! First it's a huge phat space. And like nod bobbing I do a lot! Again we must be all sucking at raving. Please fill us in how we're sopposed to do it.

 

[alison87]

I was at the Zone this weekend and i still think it's the best club in Toronto. But that joint is a total face-the-DJ place because the dancefloor is broad and shallow. Normally i find at "deep" clubs like Moskito i tend to turn around a lot more because the DJ is further away. Though in reality it's probably the crowd that dictates the dance direction more than anything. I've been to Moskito twice: once for the BOK gig Hali was talking about, which was okay, and once for Josh Wink and Sneak, which sucked. I'm not going back after the attitude of the bouncers, the crap sound, and the shit vibe of the crowd (at least as bad as Footwork on all counts). Imo they missed the mark at making an underground club here, which is a shame because the space has so much potential. Here's hoping the Great Hall/Blk Box will learn a few things and fill that gaping hole for Toronto. They're already way ahead on the sound front.

 

[WestsideWax]

I assure you this place is the next industry in the making. I've had no complaints the past couple times i've been there. regarding the sound.. it's filled in 10 fold. and just leave it alone as it is growing quickly.

Who are you to tell people to not be critical of the venues they choose to pay good money to visit? And could you be a little more condescending to erika, perhaps?

Again, based on my own experience, and the many reviews I've read afterward, the sound in Moskito is subpar far more often than not. Recent (within the last month) descriptions of the sound in reviews I've read in threads on other boards include "lacking" and "distorted", which is pretty much what I complained to the venue owner about, 6 months ago. You say things have improved - the majority of online feedback (including this thread) indicates otherwise.

Industry was what it was, because they had almost everything in place to make the venue special from the get go - ridiculously good sound, superb layout, well-timed and thought out bookings and promotions, caring and friendly security who knew when to stay in the background and let the people enjoy their experience. Didn't hurt that some of the top names in the city's dance music scene had their hands in the organisational pot.

To say this place is the next Industry in the making...I'll be surprised if it's still here in a year.

 

[erika]

Erica! First it's a huge phat space. And like nod bobbing I do a lot! Again we must be all sucking at raving. Please fill us in how we're sopposed to do it.

I don't know anything about raving - missed that era entirely. I just like to go out and dance.

I don't think I would go back to Moskito, but will go back to Blk Box anytime - Nav knows how to do things right.

 

[JamesM]

fair enough. I guess it's a question of scale in the end ,vs the smaller BOX/BE. moskito was made for insanity of proportions, in a good way.

 

[erika]

it doesn't seem any bigger than blk box to me; apparently they've done tons of renos since it opened: maybe that's what makes it appear smaller. Someone told me the space was much more "raw" at the start, which would have been pretty cool.

 

[Spinsah]

I don't think I would go back to Moskito, but will go back to Blk Box anytime - Nav knows how to do things right.

Yup.

 

[Sal De Ban]

so...im out of the loop...wrongbar was renamed?

 

[Bernnie Federko]

No, he's taken over the great Hall and revamped it.

 

[Rage]

Industry was what it was, because they had almost everything in place to make the venue special from the get go - ridiculously good sound, superb layout, well-timed and thought out bookings and promotions, caring and friendly security who knew when to stay in the background and let the people enjoy their experience. Didn't hurt that some of the top names in the city's dance music scene had their hands in the organisational pot.

To say this place is the next Industry in the making...I'll be surprised if it's still here in a year.

Everyone (including myself) need to let it go re: Industry. There will never be anything like it in this city again. You can't go back in time to recreate the vibe in Toronto back then - which is a huge reason Industry was so successful. It was the perfect time/people/place. Sometimes everything just comes together & "magic happens".

There was nothing like it before & there will never be anything like it again.

Everything said above (quoted) is on point, very well stated.

When I hear stuff like "It's the next Industry" I just smh.