Phog farewell: Marathon show at iconic music venue before it leaves downtown Windsor
The bar and music space is moving to Erie Street in the new year
Windsor, Ont.'s iconic Phog Lounge is saying goodbye to its well-known downtown location in the new year.
Before it packs up, it will go out with a bang. A jam-packed 42 acts are playing the quaint University Avenue location Tuesday night — marking the end of an era for the many musicians who've graced the stage.
From techno DJs to bluegrass legends to local hardcore bands, over the past 20 years, the bar has become a staple of downtown nightlife.
Musicians and customers alike are preparing to say goodbye to the painted ceiling tiles and beer-stained floors that make Phog what it is.
The local musical acts will be cycling through, playing 10 minutes at a time starting at 5 p.m. and rolling along until 2 a.m.
Phog Lounge owner Tom Lucier previously told CBC News he started looking for alternative locations for the venue once he started seeing double-digit rent hikes.
Musician Tony Coates organized the marathon show. He'll also serve as emcee and perform himself.
"I might cry," he said, adding Phog was where he got his start as a musician.
"When I first started on that stage, I was playing like one string. I didn't know what chords were. I grew up there."
Coates said the local music community sees the intimate downtown venue as a collaborative creative space that gave them an artistic outlet — and something they all helped build.
"At the end of the day, I want everybody to just have a good time. It's really just a selfless thing for us to just give back to each other and have this last moment together in that space."
Coates hopes the new location can organically build what came about over the years at the University Avenue location in the city's core.
"Just having it be a good music venue and having that same vibe. A lot of the beer-stained floors and stuff — we can work on that.
"It's funny because it's like in a year or two, the newer generation of people who come out, that'll be the only space that they know and these will just be the memories."
'Allows you to be weird'
Tara Watts is also helping bid adieu to the Phog Lounge by performing Tuesday night.
Her folk sound has been part and parcel of the Windsor music scene for years.
She said the marathon list of performers, and short sets, will be "interesting."
"Man, the changeover is going to have to be short and sweet," she said. "The unplugged set up, tear down, tuning of instruments. I'm curious to see how it goes, but it'll be great to have everyone there."
Watts said she's met some of her dearest friends there and the venue was a catalyst of her musical career.
"I got to share the stage with some amazing acts from across Canada. It's a really special space, even though it's a tiny spot. A lot has come out of that place."
According to Watts, Phog has character and a lot of history that encouraged and showcased original art.
"It just encourages you and allows you to be weird.
"If the walls could talk, it would be probably some shocking stuff. You're smooshed next to people, and it's just that camaraderie and everyone's there to hear what's going on."