NXNE 2015
The multitude of new summer music festivals is going to make it harder for each to stand out, but NXNE always hits it out of the park. The first round of programming, announced Tuesday, February 24, proves that.
Heavy hitters include – omg – doom metal legends Pentagram, nü-black-metallers Deafheaven and Liturgy, punks Alice Glass (one of her first solo appearances since Crystal Castles’ breakup), Obliterations and White Lung, indie rockers the New Pornographers, Blonde Redhead, Glass Animals and Real Estate, hip-hop by way of Ty Dolla $ign, Tink,
Action Bronson, Rae Sremmurd, Uniiqu3 and Vince Staples, dream poppers Best Coast and Dilly Dally, psych rock via Om, Amen Dunes and Jacco Gardner, electronic-heavy Baths, Majical Cloudz and Lydia Ainsworth and straight-up genre-blurrers like Ibeyi and Son Lux.
Three cheers for all the women – and metal and rap (but thankfully not those two genres together). And that’s a mere sample. The festival takes place in venues across the city from June 17 to 21, and ticket prices are more accessible than ever. The Clubland four-day pass gets you into all club venues (Lee’s Palace, Horseshoe, etc) for $49. Northby Advance tickets for bigger shows are $20-$35 per show. Buying tickets for three Northby shows lets you upgrade to a full-fest platinum badge for $60. Tickets on sale at nxne.com.
Wayhome, Go home?
Residents of Oro-Medonte are organizing against the rezoning of Burls Creek Event Park, the 700-acre site that will host the inaugural WayHome Festival, a summer music fest headlined by Sam Smith and Kendrick Lamar.
The plot of land northeast of Barrie was bought and expanded last year by Stanley Dunford, a majority shareholder in Republic Live, which is producing the July event (as well as country music fest Boots & Hearts) with Bonnaroo promoters AC Entertainment.
However, the group Save Oro is pressuring local officials to turf the promoters’ zoning application, arguing that less farmland and increased traffic will spoil their tranquility. “We’re a quiet farm and residential community,” Save Oro member Al Sinclair tells NOW. “There’s not a whole lot that goes on here, and that’s kind of the way we like it.”
So far, Republic Live does not seem particularly worried. Read the full story.
Massey Hall to close for reno
Massey Hall will shutter for two years in 2019 to undergo a massive overhaul, the second phase in a two-part renovation that began last year with demolition of the Albert Building directly south of the 120-year-old concert hall.
On Monday, February 23, Rush’s Geddy Lee joined mayor John Tory and minister of finance Joe Oliver at a press event announcing the plan, which will cost $32 million (including $8 million in federal funding).
The venue is scheduled to close temporarily so the interior can be refurbished and made more accessible with new elevators, washrooms, lobby and bar. Read the full story.
MusiCounts calls for applications
The 2015 MusiCounts TD Community Music Program is accepting applications for $220,000 in grant money. The program launched three years ago with the aim of giving at-risk youth access to musical instruments and equipment. Last year, 16 recipients were selected from more than 100 hopefuls. Applications are being accepted now until May 8. Visit musicounts.ca for details.
