In its 19th year NXNE will bring over 900 artists from around the world to Toronto to perform in front of over 330,000 punters across 50 stages and venues around the city.
North By North East Festivals and Conference attempts to bridge the gap between the arts and technology by focusing on the areas of music, film and interactive media.
As one of the biggest summer events in the country, NXNE’s audience encompasses industry types, fans and artists alike. The event features up and coming acts and sets from some of the world’s biggest acts. While also screening the year’s most anticipated music-related films and providing showcases and forums to explore the relationship between creative industries and the interactive online environment.
Held over seven days and nights, the event has injected the local economy with an approximate value of around $50 million annually.
Previous headliners have included the likes of Iggy and The Stooges, The Flaming Lips, Best Coast, Japandroids, Purity Ring, Feist, and Grimes just to name a few.
Music conference speakers in the past have also included Police drummer Stewart Copeland, Sex Pistol frontman Johnny Rotten, Peaches and Patti Smith.
NXNE also provides an outlet for comedy with stand up performances from local and international comedians, just as visual artist’s displays both on the streets and in art galleries demonstrate the events broad appeal and ever expanding interests.
NXNE is truly one of the best ways to experience Toronto, punters will see the city at its most bustling and beautiful best.
Lineup
The first names added to NXNE 2014 include Annie Clark who will tour in support of her forthcoming St.Vincent release. Rhye will play their exquisite 2013 LP Woman, while Danny Brown will also perform songs from his critically adored Old, just as Mac Demarco will preview his Salad Days album.
Courtney Barnett will continue her run of international festival appearances at the Canadian event. Expect many more names to be unveiled in the coming months.
Check the full lineup of NXNE here.
Where and When
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NXNE is held throughout Toronto from June 10th – 16th.
Take a look at the map above, which includes some of the music venues involved in the festival.
How To Get There
Return flights from all major Australian cities are from $1990. Expect at least one stopover, with LA being your in-transit destination.
To get around Toronto attendees will have three public transport options with trains, streetcars and buses all available. Cash fares for one use of all three will set you back $3. However given the festival runs for a week, the weekly pass option might just save you some money depending on how reliant you’re on public transport. It cost’s $38.50 and provides unlimited travel for that week. It’s also transferable among friends when you’re not travelling with it.
For more information on the different public transport routes and prices head to the Toronto Transit Commission’s website.
Where To Stay
NXNE recommend the Hyatt Regency Toronto, but there are plenty of options regardless of your price range.
However for some of the best and affordable hostels go no further than Hostelling International, Global Village, Planet Traveler or Canadiana Backpackers Inn.
How To Get Tickets
There are a variety of ticketing options for punters whether you’re interested in every aspect of NXNE or just one. Passes will be cheaper the earlier you buy them. The prices detailed below at their maximum cost.
Platinum Badge: This option gives front of the line access to all music, comedy and art events, as well as access to all film screenings, presentations and panels. It costs $599 CAD.
Music Wristband: This pass allows access to all music events. The wristband will set you back $149.
Film Festival Wristband: For $50 this pass allows entry into all film screenings.
For the non-music components of NXNE, the Interactive badge is valued at $399, while the Comedy badge will set you back $50.
To purchase tickets or to see more ticketing options, including interactive passes and combo deals head to the NXNE’s ticket page.
Insider Tips/ Things You Shouldn’t Miss
You must pick up your badges at the Hyatt Regency Hotel as they will not be mailed out.
While NXNE runs across seven days different aspects of the festivals and conference run at different times.
Workshops are held on June 11th.
NXNE Interactive runs from June 16th to 20th.
NXNE music and comedy runs from June 18th to 22nd.
NXNE film runs from June 13th to 15th.
The NXNE record show is held on the 15th June at the Hyatt Regency Hotel with a live DJ set and a monstrous collection of vinyl to skim through. It’s free with your wristband or pass so there is no excuse to miss it!
In 2013 the ‘Put The Boot In’ 7th Annual Charity Footy Match set Canadian musicians against local media moguls in a soccer contest. The proceeds of the match benefited the Right To Play charity, who use their resources to try and improve the lives of children around the world through the power of sport, play for development, health and peace. Look out for a similar event this year.
Be sure to check out some of the presenters at NXNE, the full list of which will be updated on the website as they’re announced.
There is also a huge list of presentations on the Interactive aspect of NXNE. Have a read through the full list here.
For more details head to NXNE’s official website.
Lineup
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American brooders The National return to Canada in support of their sixth studio album, Trouble Will Find Me, while Outkast aficionado Big Boi will also tour in support of his second solo album Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors. Milk Music will showcase their debut album Cruise Your Illusion as local heroes Fucked Up are set to bring their hardcore punk to an adoring hometown crowd. NXNE will also champion the rise of the highly touted Merchandise.
Sophie Koh will lead Australia’s contingent with the alternative pop sounds of last years Oh My Garden, while singer-songwriter Brad Butcher, rocker Dallas Frasca and Perth representatives Blanche DuBoise will fly the local flag.
Check the full lineup of NXNE here.
