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Serious SONA question...
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| Marcus007 |
It's bothered me for awhile now...
What was it about SONA that made it the best afterhours Montreal has ever seen? I've heard people say subjective things (it had a connection to me, etc) but I'm curious if you could tell me objective reasons why it was so good? Explain the set-up, owners, both locations, promoters, DJ's, residents and why it pulled so well.
You can throw in some spiritual (read: drug induced realities) connections later on if you'd like.
I'm a newschool interested in the oldschool scene...
SWIRL! :gsmile: |
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| malek |
| maybe some won't agree with me, but i never found what was so special about it... ok i went there 4-5 times btw. |
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| Marcus007 |
Valid insight :)
Others? |
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| Wisnia |
Filthy, dirty, dark. They often had good names visit, and the scene back then was more exciting then it is now.
But, im not not really talking from experience. |
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| mcb001982 |
| to me it was the first place I really started going out to for after hours, they started getting big names and sometimes it was just a surprise to find out who was spinning that night, the dj's were not always publicized........ and I loved the half circle velvet rope :tongue2 btw, these are my own opinions and yours may vary. |
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| all-nite-freak |
I hated it at first because i had to wait in line.
When i became a little more familiar with the doormen no more problems.
It was the original MTL afterhours and some nights the vibe was off the hook.
(I can remember 1 Hawtin night that might just be the best time i ever had.)It was also the place i met my fiancee(ex now)so it held a special meaning for me for awhile.
XL
Preach (for a few months)
Max Graham (When he was hungry and before he was known...now
Tiga
and on and on and on....
Plus you felt really special when you were on the right side of the velvet rope.Its all hard to explain, you had to live it.(plus i might have burned a couple of braincells there;) )
oh yeah...i was YOUNG:(
next time you are at aria ask the black guy who works the bar in the house room(sorry i forget his name...that guy was always there) |
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| aria_clubber |
| quote: | Originally posted by all-nite-freak
next time you are at aria ask the black guy who works the bar in the house room(sorry i forget his name...that guy was always there) |
mike ?? |
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| all-nite-freak |
| quote: | Originally posted by aria_clubber
mike ?? |
if its the guy who is almost always wearing suspenders yes. |
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| Skipper |
| quote: | Originally posted by all-nite-freak
(I can remember 1 Hawtin night that might just be the best time i ever had.)It was also the place i met my fiancee(ex now)so it held a special meaning for me for awhile.
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I don't know how many times Hawtin played there - more than once I'm sure - but I have a friend who still talks about one night he heard Hawtin at Sona like it was the best night of his life. |
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| clubberinmtl |
Its funny that I came accross this posting! As an old Sona-Head and Promoter in this city....the place once called SONA is a memory that will remain with many for life!
Hard to explain really, but here is what an average night would be like...
Get Ready, Head towards the back of this building known for its long lineups, and don't give a about you security. They were great at what they did, but they didn't give a who you were. YOu get to the metal barrier, wait around hoping to get chosen to get in. It is rumoured that the camera above the entrance was used by the owners to pick who came into the club
One metal detector later, you walked to the door into the fun. This is where you would pay whatever cover was posted (guestlist was only for the elite back then) and walk down the metal stairs.
Once below, you would walk into another door where the security guy would take your ticket and point you to the coat check. Once you coat was checked you would turn to see the sink in the middle serving both the ladies and the guys. One bathroom on each side to take care of the massed. YOu would then turn right to see some sofa's, the red phonebooth (never used it, so not sure if it was live!)!
Along the wall, you would see the homeys watchin the action, and to your right would be the hiphop room! Some legendary nights took place there! At the end of the room was a set of stairs that would lead you up to the Sona Bar! The Sona bar was one of the best kept secrets in Montreal! This is where the party was....each and every weekend. Back down in the hiphop room there was another door with a metal staircase heading up (I did not forget the bar, its coming)
Leading up the stairs you would feel the heat, hear the beats and KNOW, KNOW VERY WELL that you were about to enter A PARTY! I give everyone behind the place awesome kudo's for all that they have done for music in this city! NOW, once you walk in.....straight in front of you was an elevated DJ Booth hidden by a wall of plastic. On the left was bar (immediate left was chill podium) and to the right was more podiums, stage and entrance to the VIP bar...
If you were lucky, you would get into the VIP, back when VIP meant something. If you were someone, the gay guy at the door would let you in. If you weren't, back to the dancefloor!
THe sound was great, the lighting was great, and the fans were going when the heat was too intense. I've witnessed many shows in that room, the most memorable being Tiesto, Lafleche (at his prime), and PVD. Now there was many more details that I can explain, but I really have to go...
Hope this feeds the hunger a bit....I hate to say it but to those of you who never experienced it...you may never! Its hard to recreate magic that was created by the people! All of those people are now resting, or have faded out.
To those of you still partying! DO SO! This is the time to party...living in Montreal is a privilage, and being a part of the scene is not what it used to be, but suffice to say....there's still hope!
DanceHard :whip:
ClubberInMtl
PS - I almost forgot, THE BIG MIRROR BALL! THIS THING WAS HUGE |
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| Kate Manus |
| quote: | Originally posted by clubberinmtl
If you were lucky, you would get into the VIP, back when VIP meant something. If you were someone, the gay guy at the door would let you in. If you weren't, back to the dancefloor!
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Nice write up! a bit of a trip down memory lane :)
As for the VIP room.. I didn't even know you could go behind the booth until the night I saw Carl Cox there once! I was so mesmerized watching him... definitely changed my life. :)
RIP Sona & its sister club in many ways, Atomic in Ottawa! |
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