NXNE – 2010
Having been a part of Toronto’s major music festivals (NXNE, Canadian Music
Week and Indie Week Canada) I have learned one very important festival
lesson. Sometimes, the best nights are the ones that don’t go according to
plan. This year’s rendition of NXNE is another example of what these
festivals mean to the streets of Toronto and to the average music fan.
Below, in no particular order, are a few examples of what can happen when
you refuse to let expectations dictate the outcome of an evening.
Example #1:
Everyone was prepared for a weekend of rain. Not a drop was dropped!
This may seem trivial and a tad dainty on this writer's part but when the
skies open up to compete with the boom of the drums, it doesn’t exactly
make for a pleasant commute between venues. Remember, there are over 50
venues that take part in NXNE, and until Toronto creates the "Rock n’
Roll District," I’m afraid longer than usual walks are inevitable.
Example #2:
A huge line-up prevented many fans (and yes, even media) from seeing Buck
65 and Grand Analog at The Rivoli on Queen Street. Never fear! A
fifteen-minute walk to Kensington Market solidified the festival's biggest
surprise. Imaginit Music and 89.5 Fm’s showcase of “O Brave New World”
featuring the acts of Rakkatak, Senaya and the jaw-dropping set by
Toronto’s very own, Jaffa Road. Not normally one to put World Music on
his “to hear” list, their set made me turn my blackberry upside down.
Confused by the action taken? Here’s why! Nothing was going to distract
me from enjoying Canada’s best-kept secret at probably Kensington’s very
own best-kept secret, The Bread & Circus.
Example #3:
The exact opposite occurred on the biggest night of the festival.
Saturday brought two very exciting acts to town and there was no line-up
in sight. The Envy and Hamilton’s own and The Reason shared the stage just
down the street from Bread & Circus at another great venue in the heart of
Kensington, The Supermarket. This place is in no way a secret but on this
particular night, capacity was slightly lower than normal.
Having released their one and only album in 2003 under the name Crowned
King, The Envy changed their name in order to complement their new sound.
Since then they have been touring extensively overseas and recording their
debut album with famed producer Gavin Brown (Billy Talent, Three Days
Grace). As for their set? They certainly proved that their name was
worth the change.
The Reason, also having worked with Mr. Brown, have left their fans
waiting impatiently for the follow-up to their incredible debut album,
2007’s “Things Couldn’t Be Better.” Judging by their set-list, they too
have made a change in their sound, evidenced by the fact that
they only played new material.
This night displayed two bands who are expected to do very cool
things, and judging by all of the major-label presence at the venue, these
very cool things are expected to happen in the very near future. The
only thing missing was the sold-out vibe that the Rivoli was able to
produce and that The Supermarket desperately deserved.
This particular weekend was the perfect example of a win-win situation
that awaits the average music lover during what is becoming one of
Toronto’s most anticipated annual events. And while 2010’s NXNE may not
have had the biggest names come into town, music fans found no
shortage of pleasant surprises and future fan favorites.
Highlights Include:
Moneen @ the El Mocambo, The Envy @ Supermarket, These Electric Lives @
the El Mocambo, Jaffa Road @ Bread & Circus
- Review courtesy of Darryl Hurs
