The opposite in direction of that one festival that happened a couple months ago in Austin, TX – NXNE Festival takes place in Toronto June 11-17th, and seems like a similar deal: 650 bands in one week, but most likely even more unofficial shows, parties, after parties, random street parties, and general debauchery centered around various art forms. As usual though, the music takes a pretty large precedence in the proceedings. Here are some bands we think are sure to be live highlights:
Doldrums – From Toronto, may seem to slow life down as their name would suggest, but it still moves the mind like a cinematic soundtrack.
Grass Widow – If you love The Raincoats and you really wish Electrelane would get back together, this is a band you should check out. They have a new album coming out next week called Internal Logic, which is currently available to stream over at Stereogum. This track is off their last record, Past Time:
The Men – They make dirty really fun.
Purity Ring – This atmospheric electronic pop band have been buzzed about for a while, and were definitely one of the standout bands at last year’s CMJ, so it’s almost a surprise that they are only now about to be releasing their debut album Shrines in July. Much of the hype is probably due to their mesmerizing live shows. Sit back and take this track off their forthcoming LP in:
Daughn Gibson takes old school country samples from back when country music had some real grit and substance, and adds a darker texture with electronic beats and synths. It may be hard to categorize, but it’s intriguing.
Tickets for all days and events are still available, and you can see the full schedule here to find even more bands that you know you want to see.
