The Toronto collective is redefining night life with parties and live sessions that keep costs low, and community at the center.
On Saturday, August 9th, 2025, TTYL marked their 2nd Anniversary with a day-long celebration in Toronto’s Riverdale Park, for a collective whose name cheekily suggests a goodbye, TTYL is proving that they are here to stay.
The DJ trio, Megan, Josiah and Adeola, started DJing around the same time and launched TTYL after discovering that they all shared a musical synergy, and a need for space for music without any barriers.
“We wanted to have our own space, which is also our people's space,” Josiah explained. “Somewhere to hear really good music without it costing a lot of money, oftentimes never. That’s always been a deliberate choice.”
The group’s first event, held at Dundas Video in 2023, mostly drew in friends and curious listeners. “It was cute,” Megan remembered. “And if it wasn’t, we might have been discouraged from doing more. But it was enough to want to do another one.” Since then, their parties have grown steadily, with a residency at Bangarang and a banging Halloween house party in 2024.
.jpg)
This summer's anniversary party at Riverdale Park, though hot, showed that TTYL is for the community. “It’s summer, it’s beautiful, we should enjoy the trees.” Josiah said.
The party started at 2pm, with people trickling in, spreading blankets underneath the shade of trees, and chatting with friends and strangers alike, with the music thumping through the bright afternoon. Hour by hour the crowd grew until that section of the park transformed into a dance floor.
The lineup featured some of Toronto’s most talented DJ’s alongside the collective's founding members, carrying the energy well into the night. By the end, attendees were calling it one for the books and an evening full of “bad bitches,” the trio's own words to describe the community around TTYL.
Beyond parties, TTYL has branched into intimate gatherings like Band Practice, featuring live sets from independent artists in the city. While this sets them apart from many other collectives, the group remains committed to its original mission to create spaces where people can party without breaking the bank.
That stance feels especially radical in Toronto, where nightlife has become increasingly expensive. Between rising cover charges, inflated drink prices and the shrinking number of affordable venues for artists, going out often feels like a luxury. For many, the barrier isn’t about finding music they love, but it’s if they can even afford to be part of the scene at all.
Much of TTYL’s sustainability comes from residencies that depend on bar sales. “We make deals to make sure the people who play at our parties are getting paid,” Adeola explained. “And if they get paid, I don’t see why we have to overcharge people.”
And as resources are limited, it comes down to community support. TTYL is asking you to show up, bring people with similar energy and donate whenever you can. “We don’t have grant funding, so when we say it’s people power, we’re not capping. Showing up and contributing physically is the biggest thing.” Josaiah said.
Asked to capture TTYL in 3 words, the group didn’t hesitate: “Freedom, Love. Sound.” And two years in, that ethos has defined the TTYL message, and cemented their place in Toronto’s alternative party scene. “It’s not just something that exists for the three of us,” Josiah reflected. “It exists on its own.”
.jpg)
