NXNE 2012 Best Bets: Flaming Lips, Rich Kidd, Black Belles, Purity Ring, Raekwon

Posted on Jun 11th 2012 3:35PM by Melody Lau

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By now you've probably heard about Spinner AOL's big free NXNE party featuring a headlining set by the Flaming Lips at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto.

You may have also heard about the other big free shows taking place featuring punk rock legends Bad Religion, Can-rock mainstay Matthew Good, and the Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah and Raekwon.

You may have also heard that we're giving away wristbands to NXNE like nobody's business over at our Facebook page if you "like" us.

What might have gotten lost in all that hoopla, however, is that there will be literally hundreds of other awesome shows going on at NXNE between June 11-17.

As such, we combed through the NXNE performance list and found a few of the guaranteed best bet performers that will be worth checking out throughout the week. Here they are:

Wednesday, June 13

Teenanger @ Garrison, 12 a.m.
Toronto's Teenanger will help kick off NXNE's first major night of shows with their bristling, Joy Division-and-more punk. Although lead singer Chris Swimmings admits that their new album, Frights, is more polished and cleaned up than their previous releases, the band's live show remains rambling and dangerously electric.

Rich Kidd @ Rivoli, 2 a.m.
Rich Kidd is probably best known for his production work with everyone from Busta Rhymes to Nelly Furtado, but he's also one of Toronto's best independent MCs. Having collaborated with a pre-Young Money Drake it's clear that Rich Kidd stays ahead of the game, both as a producer and a performer.

Eternal Summers @ Drake Hotel, 10 p.m.
Just as their name suggests, Eternal Summers' beachy tunes are the perfect soundtrack for the sunny days of June, July and August. The three-piece's upcoming album, Millions, was mixed by the Ravonettes' Sune Rose Wagner, adding even more dreamy reverb to these pool party-ready melodies.

Porcelain Raft @ Drake Hotel, 12 a.m.
Italian-born singer/songwriter Mauro Remiddi, better known as Porcelain Raft, has had quite the year so far, releasing his debut album, Strange Weekend, and opening up for M83 and the Smith Westerns. Like those acts, Porcelain Raft whisks up electronic dream-pop that'll simultaneously hypnotize you and make you dance.

Thurday, June 14

The Black Belles @ Garrison, 12 a.m.
Jack White discovered and signed this all-girl band to his label Third Man Records, but you may also recognize them as the back-up band for Stephen Colbert's hit single, "Charlene II (I'm Over You)". When they're not helping the TV personality rock out their own brand of garage-goth is worth checking out. The Black Belles are playing two nights in Toronto, Thursday night at the Garrison and Friday night at the Horseshoe Tavern, so schedule your night accordingly.

Purity Ring @ Wrongbar, 1 a.m.
Edmonton duo Purity Ring is only a little over a year old but in that time, ex-Gobble Gobble drummer Corin Roddick and singer Megan James have already signed to an impressive label (4AD Records/Last Gang), collaborated with fellow prairies band Braids and are about to embark on a summer tour with indie juggernauts the Dirty Projectors. Their debut album, Shrines, is a haunting amalgamation of electronic blips, lush dream pop and hip-hop/R&B influences -- perfect for a late-night club show.

Bad Religion/No Use For a Name @ Yonge-Dundas Square, 7 p.m.
Legendary punk rockers Bad Religion and No Use for a Name will take the stage at Yonge-Dundas Square for a free show on Thursday night, so expect the outdoor venue to be riddled with punks both young and old. In an interview last year, Bad Religion frontman Greg Graffin hinted that the band might have one more album underway before they go on a potential hiatus, so consider this your forewarning to see them now.

Zulu Winter @ Rivoli, 12AM
This UK five-piece is the latest signee to Toronto's Arts & Crafts Records. Twelve years in the making, Zulu Winter have already spent the past year bringing their pop-rock tunes to sold-out crowds in the UK and Europe opening for Friendly Fires and the Horrors.

A Place to Bury Strangers @ El Mocambo, 1 a.m.
Labelled "the loudest bands in New York," A Place to Bury Strangers have been blasting people's eardrums since 2003. With a new album entitled Worship coming out later this month, expect the three-piece rock band to shatter the audience with new tracks.

Watch The Black Belles' "Lies"" Video

Friday, June 15

Plants and Animals/Eight and a Half/Matthew Good @ Yonge-Dundas Square, 7:30 p.m.
Friday night is a combination of new and old Canadian favourites at Yonge-Dundas Square's free event. Montreal rockers Plants and Animals and Arts & Crafts' new band Eight and A Half (a Franken-combo consisting of members of Broken Social Scene and the Stills) will open for headliner Matthew Good.

Yamantaka//Sonic Titan @ Garrison, 12 a.m.
Pitchfork-approved duo Yamantaka//Sonic Titan fuse western and eastern influences into their own unique genre called "noh-wave," resulting in pop melodies buried underneath heavy layers of doom metal. Not only impressive on record, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan boast one hell of a theatrical live show.

TOPS @ Silver Dollar, 1 a.m.
This Montreal four-piece -- and electro-superstar Grimes labelmates -- is pieced together from some of Montreal's finest acts (Pat Jordache, Silly Kissers, Sugar Boys, etc). Together, TOPS churn out sugary sweet pop songs slathered with synths.

Brasstronaut @ Gladstone Hotel, 12 a.m.
This Vancouver sextet recently released a new record, Mean Sun, and with any luck Brasstronaut will see themselves in the mix for the Polaris Music Prize again, as they did with their 2010 debut album Mt. Chimera.

Andre Williams & the Sadies @ Horseshoe Tavern, 12 a.m.
The legendary Andre Williams has reunited with local country staples The Sadies to perform cuts from both 1999's Red Dirt and the recently released Night & Day. Be sure to catch this R&B wonder, who has worked with some of music's best including Stevie Wonder, Funkadelic and Ike Turner.

Saturday, June 16

The Flaming Lips + Everyone @ Yonge-Dundas Square, 12 p.m. onward
Considered one of the main events of the festival, Saturday's line-up of free performances at Yonge-Dundas Square is going to be packed to the brim with can't-miss sets by Brasstronaut, Parlovr, Portugal. the Man, Oberhofer, Of Montreal and, of course, headliners The Flaming Lips. One can only imagine how much confetti will litter the streets of Toronto by the time the Lips are done.

Action Bronson @ Drake Hotel, 12 a.m.
Chef-turned-rapper Action Bronson is one of the most promising rappers spitting these days. Comparisons have already been made to fellow NXNE performer Ghostface Killah and Action Bronson has only been rapping since 2008. He combines his love for food and music on his own online cooking show called "Action in the Kitchen."

Sunday, June 17

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah, Killer Mike @ Yonge-Dundas Square, 7 p.m.
A few years ago, GZA performed at NXNE, but this year Yonge-Dundas Square will host two other Wu-Tang Clan originals Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, along with up-and-coming rapper Killer Mike.

Wannabe (Spice Girls Tribute Band) @ Redpath Stage (Harbourfront Centre), 5 p.m.
First there was the all-girl Weezer cover band, Sheezer. Now, Toronto has spawned Wannabe, another tribute band devoted to '90s girl group, the Spice Girls. Wannabe (taken from the name of the Spice Girls' debut smash hit) will perform a free show on Sunday afternoon at Harbourfront Centre so get down to the water and "zig a zig ah!"

MuchMusic Video Awards @ 299 Queen St. W., 8 p.m.
Although not a part of NXNE, the 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards is always the marquee music event in downtown Toronto. Expect the streets around the MuchMusic headquarters to be blocked off to accommodate the thousands of screaming fans trying to catch a glimpse of performers Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen, Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado and co-hosts LMFAO. If you plan on tackling this street party we suggest your finest neon sign and earplugs.