Bruno Mars kicks off Toronto’s summer concert season with show at Rogers Stadium

Janice Golding speaks to excited fans outside the venue, who say they’re looking forward to tonight’s show after last night’s concert was cancelled.

Tens of thousands of fans filled the stands of North York’s Rogers Stadium on Sunday for the first of five Bruno Mars concerts, after heavy downpours and strong winds postponed Saturday night’s sold-out show.

This afternoon, sound checks were underway for the performance, which is the first of Rogers’ summer concert series, as the venue at Downsview Park heads into its second year.

“It’s bittersweet. I mean, I think we’ll have a better time next weekend. The weather’s supposed to be better, but yeah, I mean, rain or shine I would have gone out to see him if it wasn’t,” one concertgoer told CTV News Toronto not long after Saturday’s concert was cancelled.

“It would have been worth it. We would have grinded it out, but I think it’s good that we didn’t have to go through it,” added another.

Tonight’s concert is the first of five Bruno Mars will be playing at Rogers Stadium. The one that got washed out has been rescheduled for next Sunday, May 31.

“I think it’s going to be really, really great. I think he’s a great performer. A lot of the set list is amazing so we’re really excited,” said another fan heading into the stadium late Sunday afternoon.

‘Hassle for residents’

And while fans are pumped about tonight’s show, some of those who live nearby are not so enthused.

“It’s hard to get in the neighbourhood with them, the police and everybody not wanting everyone to try and park on these streets, which is the hassle for residents,” said one man who lives in the area.

In response to traffic and noise complaints, Live Nation, the primary operator of the stadium, issued a statement saying, “in keeping with being good neighbours, we have made technical, transportation, and logistical improvements at Rogers Stadium leading up to this year’s concert season.”

As for transportation, the entertainment company says it has established dedicated rideshare pick-up and drop-off locations, and is also encouraging people to take transit and reduce noise levels.

Live Nation also said municipal licensing officers will monitor sound levels on site and in the community, that all shows would end by 11 p.m., and improvements have been made to vinyl cladding on the grandstands to decrease sound travel.

”It’s vibration that was the Number One concern from people. You can put earplugs in for decibels, you can do nothing for vibration. So, when their windows are rattling and people can’t get to sleep because of this, it’s a real problem,” said Ingrid Buday, the founder and executive director of No More Noise, saying Live Nation’s improvements aren’t good enough, adding the stadium was developed with little to no public consultation.

Councillor empathizes with local community

Local Coun. James Pasternak admits “last year was a real wake-up call.”

“I found out about the stadium about three weeks before it was announced,” he told CTV News Toronto on Sunday.

Pasternak said he’s hopeful Live Nation’s traffic management and noise mitigation efforts will help.

“I empathize with the local community,” the York Centre-Downsview rep said.

“They were there long before the stadium. This is not like moving out to the airport and then complaining about jets. These people were decades before the stadium was there and they have a valid point.”

And while there are complaints, there are also those in the area who are happy to have a new 50,000-seat concert venue in their midst.

“My family really enjoys the concerts. We sometimes go on our roof patio and listen to them, and honestly, it’s, it’s been a good addition to the community,” said one neighbour.

Last year, there were 14 concerts at Rogers Stadium. This year, there will be 20.