There's a dizzying array of choices at NXNE — more than thirty venues, usually with about five bands a night each. Now, a lot of it's going to be stuff that's simply not your style. But some will be hidden gems. But how to sift?
You could find one spot and settle in for the night (and tomorrow we'll look at some of the more promising showcases), but there's a lot of different ways to tackle a festival this size. If you have a wristband and want to use it, then you can sample a lot of different things — it's only costing you your time. If you are show-hopping, be sure to take into consideration how close your next set is at, and if possible, try and constrain your planning to other venues within its local cluster. And always have a plan B — if a venue's at capacity and you come across a lineup of people waiting to get in, you're far better off to move along and see something else instead of waiting.
This is a list of bands that I will vouch for at NXNE. I'm going to try and sample as many things that are new to me as possible, so I might not get to all of these sets, but I've seen nearly everyone here, and most of them fairly recently. For most of these, I've also included a live sample to give you a clue what to expect.
Wednesday
Loom (Rivoli, 8PM)
Brooke Manning can bring some spine-tingling atmosphere and is a worthy lead-in to the first night of the festival. (In fact, if you were looking for one place to stick for the night, this would probably do, with some other reliable bands, including The Paint Movement, on the bill.)
Listen! Loom - unknown
Thursday
Drew Smith (918 Bathurst, 8PM)
Picking up from where he left off with beloved bubblegum boppers The Bicycles, Smith (also known by his professional name Dr. Ew) put out a captivating album (last year's top-notch Gadzooks) and brings the songs to life with a crack band.
Listen! Dr. Ew - Dance All Over My Grave
The Holiday Crowd (Velvet Underground, 9PM)
I actually haven't caught this new-ish unit yet, but they've been crafting some really tasty tunes. The Smiths are a key influence, so check them out if that jangly/emotive 80's Brit-indie sound presses your buttons.
The Two Koreas (Velvet Underground, 10PM)
Top-notch banter and dance-worthy post-punk stylings from this local crew.
Listen! The Two Koreas - Cloth Coat Revolution
Revolvers (Comfort Zone, 11PM)
A year or so ago, Revolvers were a solid garage-rock band with a bluesy undertone. That's still there, but they're branching out and really coming into their own as an increasingly kick-ass live force.
Listen! Revolvers - Break it Loose
Tomboyfriend (El Mocambo - Upstairs, midnight)
If you're looking for an oasis of sing-along pageantry, or if you can't decide between showtunes and booty-shakers, then Tomboyfriend want to sweat for you.
Listen! Tomboyfriend - Skank
Ty Segall (The Garrison, midnight — also Wrongbar, 1AM on Friday)
Segall effortlessly tosses off catchy, no-nonsense rock'n'roll in bulk — and brings an audience that wants to pulse along.
Listen! Ty Segall - unknown song + Girlfriend
Bruce Peninsula (Rivoli, 1 AM)
Besides a chance to get a preview from this folk-prog collective's forthcoming second album, expect an emotionally-charged atmosphere at this set as vocalist/guitarist Neil Haverty returns from medical leave. Expect a joyous communal experience, and probably some spontaneous hugging.
Listen! Bruce Peninsula - Pull Me Under
Friday
Language-Arts (El Mocambo - Upstairs, 10PM)
Sometimes you don't realize how crafty a band is 'til after the fact — I enjoyed this thoughtfully literate folk-pop crew when I saw 'em more than a year ago, but it was only later that I realized how much the songs had stuck with me.
Listen! Language-Arts - Coughdrop
Minotaurs (Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 10PM)
Nathan Lawr's super-groovy Afrobeat-inspired unit brings a heap of rhythm and a kick-ass horn section.
Listen! Nathan Lawr and the Minotaurs - Pink Floyd
The Hoa Hoa's (Comfort Zone, midnight)
Longtime favourites 'round these parts and one of the city's best live bands, expect to hear some ace new psych-garage romps.
Listen! The Hoa Hoa's - All the Time
Matters (The Drake Underground, midnight)
The reincarnation of The D'Urbervilles have been zoning in ever-tighter on their driving sound — they've got angst in their pants and they need to dance.
Listen! The D'Urbervilles - Cito G/Boys To Men
The Davey Parker Radio Sound (Hideout, midnight)
New Nuggets for Now People.
Listen! The Davey Parker Radio Sound - Gypsy Ring
Soft Copy (Rancho Relaxo, 1AM)
These vets come by their 90's-style alt-rock guitar jams the honest way. Crunchy on the outside, sweet on the inside.
Listen! Soft Copy - Extracurricular
Rouge (Sneaky Dee's, 3AM)
If you've feeling a little fatigued by this point of the night, Jess Tollefson and Kelly McMicheal will jolt you back to life with an electro-rock dance party.
Listen! Rouge - unknown
Saturday
Vanessa's Entire Heart (NOW Lounge, 9PM)
Feedback-laced folk songs will resonate in your solar plexus with harsh beauty.
Listen! Vanessa's Entire Heart - Hilton Falls
HotKid (Bovine Sex Club, 9PM)
Kick-ass rock spectacle without any pomp.
Jennifer Castle (The Great Hall, 10PM)
Those headed down to see Braids and Chad VanGaalen should definitely get there early to see the hypnotizing Castle, who has a fab new album under her belt. Naturally bluesy, served both in gentle folk and swaggering rock'n'roll flavours.
Listen! Jennifer Castle - Poor as Him
Hooded Fang (The Horseshoe Tavern, 10PM)
A top-notch pop unit. Try and resist, but you'll soon be dancing like a character in a Charlie Brown cartoon.
Listen! Hooded Fang - Laughing
Chang-A-Lang (Bovine Sex Club, 11PM)
RIYL like hoisting your beer and being able to sing along to the choruses of songs you're hearing for the first time.
Listen! Chang-A-Lang - Shake the Sleep
One Hundred Dollars (The Horseshoe Tavern, 1AM)
Country songs about urban people from a powerful band that's fresh from the triumph of the recent release of their Songs of Man.
Listen! $100 - If It Weren't For the Carnations
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