Festival season is already in full swing in Toronto, with Luminato, Bestival and Field Trip all happening or already happened.  Yesterday was the start of North by North-East 2016, Canada’s equivalent to Austin, Texas’ South by South-West.  With shows going on all week until Sunday night.  Here are our choices of who to check out.

Pere Ubu

SAn “avant-garage” band from Cleveland, Ohio, who started in the 1970s, Pere Ubu is still going strong, staying underground in the radar of rock.  Fronted by David Thomas, they perform art punk that is sure to please audience goers of many ages.  They are headlining a show at Lee’s Palace on Thursday, June 16th.  They go on at 10:15pm.

SATE

If you’ve been reading the blog for the past year, you’ve probably seen me post about Toronto gritty-funk goddess SATE.  She’s back at NXNE this year with a showcase at the Bovine Sex Club on Thursday, June 16th.  It will also be a sort of album release party for her debut record REDBLACK&BLUE, released last Friday.

Kamasi Washington

An extremely talented jazz saxophonist, Kamasi has gained recognition recently as a guest musician on Kendrick Lamar’s award-winning To Pimp A Butterfly. He performs a wide range of different jazz styles as well as hip-hop melodies.  Kamasi and his band are headlining at The Danforth Music Hall on Friday, June 17th.

Cold Specks

Local soul songstress Cold Specks is gracing the stage at Lee’s Palace on Friday, June 17th for a must-see set.  Her raspy and raw vocals will transfix the audience as she’s done each and every time I’ve seen her live.  Be it outdoors, at the inaugural Field Trip or last years TURF, or in a venue like Lee’s, everyone is blown away by the power of Cold Specks’ lyrics and voice.

Make sure to check out the entire line-up at nxne.com and enjoy!!