North by Northeast or just NXNE is a phenomenal Toronto tradition and a great opportunity to check out the latest and greatest in new music crammed into a few short days from June 12-16. Imagine the possibility for greatness when 280 artists from around the world are featured in 20 downtown venues. To check out the bands, music fans need to buy a festival pass to see whatever they want whenever they want, or a pass for a particular venue and all the acts playing that night. Either way, it’s going to be a riot. For the full schedule head to the festival website. Below, we highlight just 10 of our favourite shows we will be checking out this weekend.
Harmony on Mars: Wednesday, June 12 @ Ground Control, 11 p.m.
Kick off your NXNE tonight with avant-garde psychedelic punk duo Harmony on Mars, otherwise known as brothers Maxwell and Jackson White. The guys defy convention with influences ranging from David Lynch to J.J. Cale. Hailing from Toronto and Montreal, they push sonic boundaries with an eclectic sound this washes over you and seeps into your soul. This show is also a great opportunity to check out the wicked cool new Ground Control bar and live music venue in Parkdale.
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Pop Montreal Showcase: Thursday, June 13 @ Baby G, 11 p.m.
Emerging Canadian artist YUNG LEO, recently named iHeartRadio’s “Future Star” and Roger’s “One to Watch,” is making waves with her single “Habit” charting at #25 and over 500,000 streams on Spotify. Known for her authentic sound and collaborations with notable producers, she’s set to release new singles and an EP with a brighter, feel-good vibe.
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Tractor Beam: Thursday, June 13 @ Handlebar, 8 p.m.
NYC-based, Toronto-raised producer Sasha Balazic leads post-folk project Tractor Beam, which debuted its LP Turtles All The Way in 2023. Featured in Exclaim! mag and CBC, Tractor Beam’s music blends freak folk and 2000s indie rock. For fans of Mac Demarco, and similar artists.
Ballsy: Thursday, June 13 @ Baby G, 8 p.m.
Isabelle Banos, Caveboyโs synth-bassist, launches her solo project Ballsy, blending pop-punk, grunge, and indie rock with raw teen angst and nostalgic vibes. Expect infectious hooks and unfiltered emotion from this Montreal-based artist at the Pop Montreal Showcase.
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Seyblu and Divine Lightbody, June 12 @ Jean Darlene Piano Room
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Frankie Flowers, Friday, June 14 @ Ground Control, 9 p.m.
Frankie Flowers, out of Waterloo, blends dark-wave and post-punk influences to create a genre-bending sound that is garnering some serious attention. Opening for Kennyhoopla on his Survivor’s Guilt tour and has been feature on everything from Hockey Night in Canada to Indie 88’s Songs You Need To Discover. Check out Frankie Flowers at NXNE now, so you can say you were there when…