‘The lineup seems like something from an 80′s-themed boat cruise’, that’s just one of the many criticisms I’ve heard about the 17th annual festival about to kick off this week. Notwithstanding, I’m always keen to check out bands that I’ve never heard and just celebrate music with everyone else! That being said, here are my top 5 picks for NXNE 2011:
BRAIDS
If you love art-rock/electro sounds, you’ll love BRAIDS. Their debut album was released earlier this year and they’ve received rave reviews from the likes of The New York Times.
Friday – The Garrison – 11PM
Saturday – The Great Hall – 11PM
WE ARE WOLVES
Yes, another band from Montreal – Montreal does it better! We are Wolves are not new to the music scene but they’re a band that you must see over and over. Last year at Osheaga, they performed with giant animal heads on them: a representation of their tribal, electro, ‘primitive’ sound.
Wednesday – The Horseshoe – 1AM
FUCKED UP
Polaris Winners, Fucked Up, are playing quite a few shows in their home of Toronto. Last week they released their latest album, ‘David Comes to Life’, one which I cannot stop listening to.
Thursday – Yonge/Dundas Square – 8PM
Thursday – Wrongbar – 1AM
DD/MM/YY
I think it’s the nostalgia of the 80′s videogame sounds and synths that make DD/MM/YY a favourite of mine.
Thursday – Sneaky Dees – 1AM
Saturday – Yonge/Dundas – 4PM
Dum Dum Girls
This LA band’s name pays hommage to The Vaseline’s album ‘Dum Dum’ and the Iggy Pop song ‘Dum Dum Boys’. Their sound is noisy, indie-pop and I love it!
Friday – Lee’s Palace – 11PM
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