Live Convention ’18 is back. Crate diggers all over the world are converging in Toronto for the weekend festival that truly celebrates vinyl collecting culture. Check out our schedule below. We think you’ll agree. We’ve added a few things to this year’s roster of events that take it up a notch. All presented by Discogs.
FRIDAY SEPT 21
JAZZY JAY: A RETROSPECTIVE
We kick things off Friday Sept 21 with a free Jazzy Jay Retrospective at the Hashtag Gallery (830 Dundas st W) from 4-10pm. We’ll be showcasing vintage clothing, flyers, cassettes, vinyl and personal photos from this living Zulu Nation legend – most of which have never been shared with the public. This is a can’t miss even for the old school hip-hop memorabilia enthusiast. Presented in partnership with our friends at In Vintage we Trust as well as the Butta Bros: Skeme Richards and Supreme La Rock.
45 KINGS
We return to Tennessee Tavern right after the Jazzy Jay show with an all-star 45 line-up: Japan’s DJ Koco aka Shimokita, Philly’s Skeme Richards, Toronto’s DJ Serious and the man of the hour DJ Jazzy Jay straight from NYC. Another shockingly free event – Arrive early to secure entry. Doors open at 11.
SATURDAY SEPT 22
GOSPEL CHARITY BRUNCH
All that partying is going to work up an appetite. So our friends at Thoroughbred (304 Richmond st W) are hosting a delectable fundraiser on Saturday (11am-3pm) where you can munch on bites from Graham Pratt (The Gabardine), Charlotte Langley (Scout Canning), Rudy Boquila (Kalsada), Georgia Zimbel (High Park Brewery) and Ariel Coplan (Thoroughbred). All proceeds go to not9to5.com, helping to raise awareness about mental health in the food industry. Of course, the gospel sounds will be provided by Chicago’s Al-Tone Records and our local holy heatrock provider DJ Big Jacks. The only way to get a seat is to grab a ticket (which includes the price of the meal).
Buy Tickets – Not 9 to 5 presents Gospel Brunch
LOVE HANDLE with DJ SPINNA
DJ Spinna’s impeccable taste has been taking dancefloors to a higher level for years and this time around will be no different as he takes the set at One Loft (292 College st W) spinning rare boogie, funk and disco. He’s joined by the #1 Live Convention fan, Seattle’s Supreme La Rock as well as local vets Jason Palma, DJ Serious and resident Famous Lee.
Buy Tickets – Love Handle w/ Dj Spinna
SUNDAY SEPT 23
The Cratery Record Exchange is taking it to another level this year with international vendors like Gene Brown (North Carolina), Records by Mail (Portland), Brewerytown Beats (Philadelphia), Sideman Records (New Jersey), Official Crate Music (Baltimore), Groovenut Records (Osaka), and awesome local dealers like Chuku Records,The Record Guys, and Birds Nest records with guest seller Buck 65. The entire convention will be catered by Imanishi and Smoke Signals BBQ with coffee by Jeff Spec. $15 admission between 12-6 pm and $25 early admission at 10 am.
Buy Tickets – Cratery Record Exchange
And that’s not all – we’ve got an exclusive 45 from Toronto super producer Frank Dukes pressed up by our friends at Precision Pressing. It’s limited to less than 100 copies and available exclusively at the show. If you’re a vinyl enthusiast, you cannot miss this record show.
LORD FINESSE (LIVE IN CONCERT)
The funky man and friend of Live Convention returns for his 2nd year – but this time on mic duty instead of the turntables. North Carolina’s J Scienide also takes the stage as well as Ohio’s John Rogers and Toronto’s Solar-C. Music by Cratery’s Kaewonder. Join us at Revival (783 College st W) on Sunday for a fitting end to the livest vinyl convention weekend on the planet.
Buy Tickets – Lord Finesse Live!