Regular MCB readers know how fond we are of the North by Northeast (NXNE) Music-Film-Interactive Festival held in Toronto every noon. What was originally an adjunct counterpart to the legendary SXSW in Austin, TX, NXNE has evolved over the years to encompass film and interactive media, promising 650 bands and 40 films over the week spanning June 11-17, 2012. Recent years have seen the addition of free concerts by big names in the heart of downtown at Yonge-Dundas Square (YDS) including punk pioneers X and The Stooges in 2010 and Devo (see gallery below) in 2011 and the tradition continues this year.
Fans of man-sized hamster balls will be overjoyed to learn that Wayne Coyne and his Flaming Lips (no relation to Wane Coin and the Scorching Herpes) are slated to headline the Saturday, June 16th show. Other announced headliners include Bad Religion, Wu-Tang Clan members Raekwon & Ghostface Killah, and Canadian star Matthew Good.
Other acts performing at YDS and across the club venues include: Of Montreal, No Use For A Name, Purity Ring, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Death Grips, The Men, Bleached, Good Riddance, METZ, Ceremony, Plants & Animals, The Death Set, The Sadies & Andre Williams, Oberhofer, Reigning Sound, Action Bronson, 2:54, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, The Hundred in The Hands, Rival Schools, Killer Mike, Young Magic, Hayes Carll, Friends, Hollerado, Bran Van 3000, The Black Belles, Doldrums, Odonis Odonis, Mac DeMarco, Bass Drum of Death, Porcelain Raft, Exitmusic, Violens, Grass Widow, Eight and a Half, DZ Deathrays, Jonathan Toubin, Art vs. Science, B L A C K I E, The Nils and Ivan Julian (ex-Richard Hell & The Voidoids).
It's always a good time in Toronto and with so many music and cinematic offerings to chose from, the only question isn't whether you will have fun, but will you have too many conflicting fun options.
Get more info about the festival and tickets at NXNE.com. Be there!
