Downtown Sound

This year, NXNE has returned to the main part of Toronto instead of out in the Portlands. So their free Main Stage was once again located right at Dundas Square. I went on Friday evening to check out a few acts.

It was a poor set-up. Dundas Square itself has a raised platform that is often used as a stage for shows and concerts. When I heard that NXNE has closed off Yonge St. instead, I was expecting the stage to be on the street itself, allowing a much larger crowd to grow along the road.  But they built it abutting Eaton Centre, and fenced off the street and sidewalk for security personnel. This made the stage too far for the performers to interact with the audience. And the latter was still limited to the Square itself. In fact, there was actually less room because NXNE had carved up the Square for a media tent and bar patio.

Formerly from Edmonton, rapper Cadence Weapon had a fast flow. He also liked applying effects to his vocal. His rap was the usual mix; some were about social issues, others about drinking and living large. Being a good Canadian boy, he had a rap about Connor McDavid which was brave of him to perform in enemy territory.

U.S. Girls was up next. It was an odd choice because tonight's line-up was dominated by R'n'B and Rap acts. They went through their well-rehearsed set/performance piece with most songs drawn from the latest album. It wasn't a great fit for the crowd who was expecting more mainstream music. There were some amusing spontaneous moments when singer Meghan Remy got a security guard to be involved with her show.

A Little Bit

As I get older, multiple late nights at a music festival don't appeal much. But I did make it out Monday night to The Dakota Tavern. NXNE has created curator series where a musician book bands that hold some significance for them. Tonight, Terra Lightfoot has chosen 4 women-fronted bands in the country/folk mold. First up was Colleen Brown with a duo set of Major Love songs. Next up was trio The O'Pears. I always enjoy their beautiful harmonies. I couldn't stay for Charlotte Cornfield or Dinah Nash. It would have been nice to hear them but the sets were running late.

Rad Rock Vs Dad Rock

On June 9th, I headed over to Roncesvalles for some shopping and also check out Roncy Rocks. It turns out this wasn't a street festival but a BIA-sponsored event. So with the various shops setting up stalls as well as a number of local artisans, the sidewalk was quite congested. After a fruitless search for a hand-made yoga bag, I was about to head home when I saw that the stage set up on a side street was hosting a few bands.

I stayed for Luna Li. I liked her solo set a few weeks ago at Luanda House. With a full set-up today, I was quite impressed with how much of a rock vibe they had going. This young band could be going places.  I might check out their release show next Friday. I was also surprised to see Jessica Stuart. This afternoon, she was here supporting Alex St. Kitts. This singer/bassist had an infectious personality and some funky songs. But his lyrics weren't quite at the level of his technical chops.

Movement In Stillness

I was at The Tranzac for a mid-week album release. Opener Alyson McNamara did a soft folk set with some interesting picking and chords. She mostly presented new material rom her upcoming sophomore album.

Then headliner Emilie Mover did a wonderful set where she played her new album Night Owl straight through. She joked that those of us in attendance now know how the album should be played. Because of a misprinting, the vinyl has no side A or B indication. A nice bonus, although you can also go on, for example, Spotify to see the correct track listing. For the encore, she played an unreleased song about New York, a tune Mover wrote after Night Owl to prove that she can still write.

Mover gave the best merch pitch ever. If you buy her album, you get to pet her dog Stevie Wonder. I didn't need that incentive to support this great artist, but I surely took advantage of the offer for some doggie scritches.