NXNE | INTERNS REPORT

NXNE- Straight from Yonge and Dundas Square

Toronto’s NXNE started on June 13^th, but the party didn’t kick off until later that week, in particular that Thursday night. For the NXNE weekend, Yonge and Dundas Square was the hub of the festival with headlining acts Descendents, Stars, DEVO, and the Pharcyde. Each night of the festival had a different theme, but all-in-all every night brought out an electrifying crowd.

It was my first NXNE and I decided to volunteer in order to be right there in the middle of all the action. I had the perfect shifts: 5:30pm-MIDNIGHT every night! The perfect opportunity to witness some of the polished performers as well as some of the newest indie acts. Let me break down the weekend for you; the highlights and the “not so-highlights”.

Thursday (June 16^th) – Punk/Hardcore Night

As soon as I saw the tattoos, piercings, and Mohawks, I started to get excited! The first night of performances was going to be amazing or so I thought...

The Line-Up

METZ 6-6:40pm
Rusty 7-7:40pm
Fucked Up 8-8:40pm
OFF! 9-9:40pm
Descendents 10-10:40pm

Unfortunately the night ended up being a huge letdown and not only for me, but for my entire NXNE team! Even some fans who travelled from outside of the GTA felt like the spent precious gas money for nothing. All of the bands seemed off, especially OFF! The only band that shed some light on the night held the 8pm time slot.

NOT TO BE MISSED-Fucked Up

Hailing from Toronto, Fucked Up has caused a STIR within the indie music scene. The Fucked Up, also known as F**ked up, name is not the only thing that is controversial about the band. Lead-singer Damian Abraham’s antics on stage often leave conservative concert-goers shaking their heads. After receiving the Polaris Prize in 2009, Fucked Up has risen in popularity. Prior to NXNE, I had never heard of Fuck Up. After they finished their set, all I wanted was MORE...

Friday (June 17^th) - Time to Dance!

After lacklustre performances the previous night, I was looking to be blow away by Friday’s bands. I had been waiting for this night since the line-up was announced and I did not want to be disappointed. As the crowd piled into YDS, I knew it was going to be a challenge to weave my way to the front. I may have gotten elbowed in the mouth, but it was all worth it...

The Line-Up

Diamond Rings 7:30-8:10pm
Land of Talk 8:30-9:10pm
Stars 9:30-11pm

From the moment Oshawa’s Diamond Rings took the stage to the instance when Stars said goodbye, there was non-stop singing, dancing, and all-out partying. It was estimated that 10,000+ people showed up to see all three of the indie pop groups. Many NXNE staff members wondered if they should have shutdown Dundas Street due to the overwhelming number of fans. Even though Stars put on a phenomenal set, they were not the only band that stood out for me...

DO EVERYTHING HUMANLY POSSIBLE TO SEE-Land of Talk

 

Land of Talk’s Friday night performance made me neglect my volunteer duties and rush up to the front of the stage. Fronted by singer and guitarist Elizabeth Powell, this Montreal band has just what it takes to make it BIG. They have already acquired a fan-following in Canada and the United States; I even spoke to a couple that travelled all the way from Florida just to get the opportunity to see Powell perform.

Saturday (June 18^th)-Old School...REALLY Old SCHOOL

Whip it! Whip it good! Saturday night is the night when Dundas Street is shutdown in preparation for the festival’s headliners. As fans, around my parent’s age, filed into YDS, all I could do was sit down and watch the pandemonium begin...

The Line-Up

DOM 6-6:30pm
Cults 7-7:40pm
Men Without Hats 8-8:40pm
DEVO 9:30-11pm

It was a night of one hit wonders; First it was Men Without Hats’ Safety Dance and then Devo’s Whip It. Both 80s bands drew in a diverse audience composed of youngsters, teenagers, and adults. Unfortunately, the crowd began to thin out after only a few songs. MWH and DEVO were able to attract a large audience, but they could not maintain it! The highlight of the night was by far DEVO’s costume changes and iconic hats.

If you want something younger, listen to – Cults

Manhattan’s Cults have had a busy year; they were signed to Lilly Allen’s Columbia Records and played at numerous festivals (ie. Pitchfork). Even more shocking is that the band formed only last year! On Saturday night, Cults drew people into YDS and prepared them for the 80s music to come. Cults’ lyrics maybe dark, but the duo’s future in the music industry is definitely bright.

Self-titled debut album, Cults released June 7, 2011

 

Sunday (June 19^th)-NXNE’s Hip-Hop VERSUS MuchMusic’s Video Awards

What is the perfect way to spend your 20^th birthday? Well, seeing one hip-hop legend after another isn’t too bad. Actually, it was probably the best birthday ever! Yes...I’m talking about my birthday. (singing) Happy Birthday to me (singing) -CUT! The last night of NXNE...

The Line-Up

Reema Major 5pm
Tanika Charles & The Wonderfuls 6pm
D-Sisive 7pm
Digable Planets 8pmThe Pharcyde 9pm

With the MMVAs the same night, I wasn’t expecting a large turnout to the last night of NXNE. I was very mistaken! As soon as D-Sisive took the stage, people began piling into the square. When Digable Planets’ music started, I was trapped in a sea of people and could barely make it back to the safety of the NXNE tents. Pharcyde’s 90s hits were apparently going to be more popular than anyone of the MMVAs performances. I must admit that I’m not a huge hip-hop fan, but even the Sunday line-up had me dancing and singing along. The Sunday audience was my favourite of the entire festival because I saw a true passion for the music.

The Question on Everyone’s Mind-“Was Fatlip at NXNE?”

Unfortunately, a Pharcyde reunion did not take place at this year’s NXNE. Even though the band had only three of its original members on Sunday night, they were still able to keep the audience entertained. After departing from the band in 1996, Fatlip embarked on a solo career path releasing an album, The Loneliest Punk in 2005.


-Kate Horodnyk