Mar Sellars braves rooftop parties, whisky binges and a party actually serving salad to bring us what the best of NXNE.
The first time I ever went to Toronto was for NXNE in 2000. My band played. We drove all the way from Vancouver. I've been back to the festival a couple of times in 2002 and 2003, but it never made much of an impression.
It's been about 10 years since I'd been and wow, it's really improved. I used to think there wasn't much to it apart from the name being a play on SXSW but NXNE 2012 proved to be Canada's answer to the annual Texas music and film fest. There was 5 days of music, BBQs, roof top parties and a lot of booze, except with friendlier people and less scary cops. Here’s my top 5 bands I saw at the fest.
Odonis Odonis
I missed these guys at The Great Escape last month so was really interested in checking them out. Their album has been on my Spotify (It's out on Fat Cat) quite a bit in the last month. When I got to Sneaky Dee's they were part way through their set and I was in a rush but the bouncers weren't being super friendly and held us up to get a stamp (dude. it's a festival where everyone has a wrist band)? and before searching our bags asked if we had any needles.
The room was insanely packed, there was a pit and I couldn't see anything but the energy Odonis Odonis releases to a room is awesome. I saw Jarod's other band THIGHS the night before at the Garrison but it didn't stack up.
Teen Violence
My favourite band of Wednesday night was Kingston's Teen Violence who played a small show in Kensington's The Detour bar. The singer looked like Jonathan Pierce of the Drums with a quiff. They have a fuzzed out surfy garage sound and are self-proclaimed Everly Brothers and Beach Boys fans.
I only wish there had been more people to enjoy these guys’ feel good tunes. It was the perfect ending to a night of running between 5 shows and watching everything from loud hardcore to mediocre bland pop rock. I expect to see more from these guys (and lady drummer).
ARSON
Alright so no one has heard of this band but they are an original first wave punk band from Toronto (1978-1982). I only know them because Nardwuar released their amazing song Coho! Coho! on a 7-inch about 20 years ago. They reformed in 2010 and when I saw them in the schedule I almost thought it was a joke. I ran over to catch them just in time to hear the only song I know and love - 'Coho? Coho!'; tt sounded just as awesome as the record and was stuck in my head the rest of the night.
The only depressing thing was there were only about 5 people in the room. I thought more people (especially in Toronto) would have known about ARSON but people seem to not care as much about ageing punk dudes as they do about whatever the hottest new blog-friendly genre hopping guy with a laptop is. I spoke to ARSON after the gig and they said they’re planning some upcoming tour and they gave me a zine about their band. So nice!
The Black Belles
The Black Belles were billed as the ‘band on Jack White's label’ as if that was their best selling point, well it's not! These four ladies may look like old fashioned goth witches but they don’t play goth music. Its rock ‘n’ roll.
I don’t know if it’s the weird drumming or guitar style but you can see Jack White (or should I say White Stripes’) influence on this band. They were pretty tight live and I love a band that’s got their own style and these girls definitely have their own look. It’s nice when people make an effort.
The Men
Next up were The Men who everyone has been raving about (or maybe it’s just my group of friends). They started slow with an instrumental but then came the onslaught of aggression and the place errupted. Of course there was a bit of a circle pit. It was great! Fast, awesome guitar hooks, energy, sweaty dudes, like catchy good hardcore. The way music should be.
Honourable Mentions:
I should mention my favourite band playing the festival was Platinum Blonde (for any non-Canadians they are/were Canada's answer to Duran Duran and massive in the early ‘80s). Crystal Castles and Robert Smith covered their song ‘Not In Love’ in 2010 which made quite a splash. Anyway the reason I'm not listing them as one of my favourites from the festival is cos they went on 40 minutes late and only played 3 old songs (Not In Love, Standing in the Dark, It Doesn't Really Matter). Boo-urns! I know bands wanna play new stuff but come on at a festival just play the hits! Yeesh.
Other best bits of the festival were of course the day time parties. Shout outs to Dine Alone Records for having an amazing carnival themed party with pop corn, BBQ, whiskey and beer galore and a guy juggling fire. Osheaga / Halifax Pop Explosion for having an open bar pool party at the roof top pool of the Hyatt in 30 degree weather and Exclaim! magazine for actually having salad and nice food in their parking lot extravaganza.
Oh, and M for Montreal and Panache for operating the Bruise Cruise around Lake Ontario with sets from Bleached, Teenanger, Mac DeMarco and Hooded Fang.
See everyone next June!
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