The Toronto music community is a beloved and supportive one, and that spirit is captured by Bobby Kimberley and his Young Lions Music Club. A free-to-join membership program, Young Lions throws great parties with amazing DJs and bands, partners with local bars, restaurants and vintage stores for discounts, and creates a crew of music-loving members.
YLMC members get access to exclusive events, and discounts on public ones. There are also great bonuses: for example, in conjunction with their TIFF party celebrating The Shining, they offered a free member’s-only screening. But the core of Young Lions is the music.
Their artists, like Paper Lions and Dwayne Gretzky, play events, but they also bring in an array of musical guests. The Songs: A Dance Party series has included guest DJs Beirut, Broken Social Scene, Holy Fuck, the Rural Alberta Advantage, and more. They’re taking it to the high seas for the next jam, with The Smiths’ Andy Rourke on the decks..on the deck. SS Songs sails Friday, Sept. 14th!
YLMC keeps it about the people; they even post little interviews profiling their members online. They recently did a cool photo shoot called “Haven’t Got A Stitch to Wear” at one of their partner stores, 69 Vintage. Members get 15% everything except leather goods at the store. Same discount applies at Poutini’s (nom), and on takeout from Fresh and Hawker Bar.
Want to be a part of it all? Sign up, for free, heresies.
~ Haley Cullingham, photos by Young Lions Music Club & Julie Lavelle