As easy as it is to scan the lengthy list of appearances at Toronto’s week-long music, art, film, interactive and comedy festival and pick out the big bill names – the best part of North by Northeast is branching out and expanding your interests. So, get out there, be open-minded, party hard – and consider these 10 artists if you’re looking for a guaranteed good show. The music program starts…today!
1. FUTURE ISLANDS: So, technically this Baltimore synth-pop crew would now qualify as a big name on the bill – but only because of their hit Letterman performance this past winter. Before that, these guys were well-known to the electro pop underground but not so much to many others. While they start to shed any unfamiliarity they may have had before Samuel T. Herring’s dance moves hit the Late Night slot, you should probably make your way to either Vice Island or Tattoo for their unprecedented live performances.
2. MICHAEL RAULT: This Pirate Blends Records signee, whose new album drops next week, is that 60s grunge rocker everyone needs a bit of in their life. With his hair bouncing over his face as he performs chord trickery and rubs his guitar across the amp, Rault actually has some awesomely melodic songs to boot.
3. DANNY BROWN: Performing at Yonge/Dundas Square, the sometimes genius (and controversial) rap weirdo also hits Mod Club this week to spit croaky rhymes and get every single audience member, rap fan or not, off their feet.
4. WEAVES: This Toronto-based indie-rock crew are all sorts of bizarre and amazing. Fronted by lead singer Jasmyn Burke’s quirky croon, Weaves’ first EP is full of wild guitar hooks and oddities that create an electric sound lauded by Rolling Stone Magazine as one to watch.
5. MAC DEMARCO: DeMarco is easily who I’m most excited for, although there might look like there’s not much to a 24 year-old Canadian who’s spicing up indie rock with a borderline goofy nonchalance. Looking like he rolled out of bed, slapped a hat on his mop and decided to record a few hit records, DeMarco’s laidback vocals have psychedelic Roger Waters moments, while his bedroom-rock melodies include what I think is one of the sexiest songs of this year (below). DeMarco plays both Y/D Square and Opera House, but I highly suggest Opera House as the better venue.
6. RHYE: One of Canada’s favourite, and most mysterious, neo-soul groups hit Massey Hall for what promises to be a magical, intimate and backlit (hence the mystery) evening of their downtempo, jazzy repertoire.
7. SLEIGH BELLS: Click, click, settle up and don’t miss noise-pop crew Sleigh Bells this week – whether along with thousands at Y/D Square on Thursday, or the newly announced (not so) secret show tonight at Tattoo. Although this rowdy boy/girl crew can easily rock the billboards off Dundas Square, again, the smaller venue is where you’ll (always) find me.
8. ST. VINCENT: I mean, obviously. As one of the most talked about albums and leading ladies of 2014, you’re not going to want to miss Annie Clark’s eccentric, but explosive, act rattle the stage at Y/D Square on Friday night. If you’ve heard the buzz but haven’t yet seen this babe, her live performance will convert you to a lifelong fan.
9. tUnE-yArDs: Sure, this act is just Merrill Garbus and a bassist – but you’d never know that once you hear her layer her instruments all over each other using loop pedals. That’s some catchy, and intricate, two-person stuff.
10. RYAN HEMSWORTH: If you like a remix, mash-up or use of a sample – check the credits – chances are Nova Scotia DJ Ryan Hemsworth had something to do with it. Hemsworth, who certainly looks the international sensation part, doesn’t just track earworm beats quietly – he puts on one hell of a live party.
Now, I didn’t even include bands like Spoon, Swans, PS I Love You, Joel Plaskett, METZ or The Barr Brothers – so imagine the possibilities of your own best bets list! Who are you excited to catch? See you there.
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