Music festivals like NXNE often come loaded with bonus offerings in the form of free shows, events and the occasional BBQ. After all, you’d want to get the most out of your week-long experience so before you head out and tackle the shows at night, take a look at the following list of day shows and activities you can partake in.
Here is a compilation of all things free and fun at this year’s NXNE Festival.
THURSDAY JUNE 13
Yonge-Dundas Square
Who: Social Distortion, Old Man Markley, Imperial State Electric, The Flatliners
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Arts & Crafts x Craft Services Presents: Free NXNE Pop-Up Performance Series
Who: Reuben and the Dark, Michael Rault, Alvvays, Pup, Boxer the Horse, Digits, Beta Frontiers (DJ)
When: 5 pm – 2 am
Where: 1093 Queen St. W.
The Live in Bellwoods Great Heart Festival
Who: Maylee Todd, Alright Alright, Jay McCarrol, Kalle Mattson, Olenka & The Autumn Lovers
When: 4 pm – 7 pm
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park
Notes: Young Lions Music Club, Humble Empire and Live in Bellwoods team up to bring back their annual free acoustic shows in one of the city’s most popular parks. Bring a blanket and some snacks, sit back and enjoy the acoustic jams.
Young, Wild & Free: A NXNE After Party
Who: Young Rival, Wildlife, Jane’s Party, PUP, Quiet Company + special guests
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Grossman’s Tavern
Notes: To celebrate the world premiere of Authentic: Young Rival’s Journey Through Canada, Last Frame Pictures will be throwing an after party featuring the film’s subjects and a number of other bands. There will also be BBQ.
Audioblood & Steam Whistle Present: The #TeamAB Tryouts
Who: Little Sun, Mary Stewart, The Roseville Band, Miesha & The Spanks, The Penske File
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Goorin Hat Shop (320 Queen St. W)
Notes: Audioblood will be putting on a number of free events this year and has aptly named every event after a different stage of #TeamAB’s progress throughout the week, from tryouts to a season closer. Follow them around the city as they bring bands to some unexpected venues.
FRIDAY JUNE 14
Yonge-Dundas Square
Who: The National, Hayden, CTZNSHP
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Arts & Crafts x Craft Services Presents: Free NXNE Pop-Up Performance Series
Who: Chains of Love, Decades, Grounders, Jessy Lanza, The Soul Proprietor (DJ), Jesse Futerman (DJ), Members Only (DJ)
When: 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: 1093 Queen St. W.
The Live in Bellwoods Great Heart Festival
Who: Donovan Woods, Eagle Lake Owls, Nicholas Doubleyou & the B-Squad, James & Blackburn, and more TBA.
When: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park
2nd Annual Free Day Show @ Urban Outfitters
Who: Decades, Bear Mountain, Beach Day, Still Corners, Dusted
When: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Urban Outfitters (481 Queen St. W)
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Audioblood & Of A Kind Present The #TeamAB First Practice
Who: Mary Stewart, Little Sun, Quiet Company, Miesha & The Spanks, Dany Laj & The Looks
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Of A Kind
PledgeMusic Presents: The #Pledgendary Summer Rager at NXNE *Powered by Audio Blood
Who: The Elwins, The Revival, The Bokononists, Quiet Company, Cai.ro, Miesha & The Spanks, + Special Guests
When: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: 1653 Dundas St. W.
Notes: Entry is free with a #pledgendary tweet and there will be free haircuts onsite
SATURDAY JUNE 15
Yonge-Dundas Square
Who: Billy Talent, Blinker the Star, Millencolin, Steve Hill, We Are Scientists, Big Black Delta, Moon King, Riverdale, Teenage Kicks
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
M For Montreal Presents The Bruise Cruise
Who: Mikal Cronin, Odonis Odonis, We Are Wolves, Fat Tony
When: 12:30 p.m. (boarding) – 4 p.m. (dock time)
Where: 207 Queen’s Quay W.
Notes: The Bruise Cruise returns for another year of boat-rockin’ sets. Admission is free with a badge or wristband, otherwise it will cost you $10.
Arts & Crafts x Craft Services Presents: Free NXNE Pop-Up Performance Series
Who: Majical Cloudz (DJ), Bruce Trail (DJ), Kings of the North (DJ), Natural Animal
When: 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: 1093 Queen St. W.
The Live in Bellwoods Great Heart Festival
Who: Paper Lions, Absolutely Free, Svavar Knutur, Northcote, Taylor Knox
When: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park
Audio Blood & Gananoque Brewing Present The #TeamAB Second Practice
Who: Little Sun, Quiet Company, The Bokononists, The Revival
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Model Citizen
Independent Label Market: Toronto
Who: Paper Bag Records, Arts & Crafts, The Outside Music Label, Last Gang Records, Static Clang, Nevado Records, Maple Music
When: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Ryerson University’s Campus Common
SUNDAY JUNE 16
Yonge-Dundas Square
Who: Ludacris, Deniro Farrar, Mickey Avalon, Fat Tony, Joey Bada$$, Smif N’ Wessun, The Underachievers
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Note: Ludacris has now replaced Big Boi at NXNE, due to an injury that has forced Big Boi to cancel a number of tour dates.
The Live in Bellwoods Great Heart Festival
Who: Bands TBA
When: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Trinity Bellwoods Park
Audio Blood & Of A Kind: The #TeamAB Season Closer
Who: The Roseville Band, Darren Eedens, The Cautioneers, The Penske File
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Of A Kind
Audio Blood & Coffee Shop Project Present The Last Practice
Who: Mary Stewart, Little Sun, Miesha & The Spanks
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Jimmy’s Coffee
Beach Day @ Kops Records
Who: Beach Day
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Kops Records
Static Zine’s #7 Release: Park Jamz ‘13
Who: Pat LePoidevin, Patti Cake, Eons
When: 2:30 p.m.
Where: Christie Pits Park
Notes: Local DIY publication Static Zine will be celebrating the release of their new issue with a number of bands, readers and even free baked goods.
The 7th Annual “Put the Boot In” Charity Soccer Match
Who: Rockers vs. Rollers
When: 12 p.m.
Where: Lamport Stadium