Rivoli

10:05pm Here I am wondering why the hell the Meligrove Band is dressed like the Ramones, acting like the Ramones and playing all the Ramones’ memorable tunes.

10:15pm Looking at the band’s website on my phone, I find out that they somewhat spontaneously decided that they’d be performing exclusively Ramones covers for this show.

10:24pm The room is packed and a few older dudes are fist pumping along to “I Wanna Be Sedated,” but a lot of people seem disappointed that there’s no hope for hearing any Meligrove originals tonight. Springing a Ramones tribute night on your fans who paid their money to see your band play your own songs seems a tad self-indulgent.

11:07pm Toronto’s Paint Movement have a lot of people playing lots of different instruments on stage. This can be good — look at Arcade Fire or Broken Social Scene. Unfortunately, people tend to forget that just because you have a lot of competent musicians in your band, doesn’t mean something interesting is going to come out of it.

11:17pm This band have had a few good moments so far. Some pleasant guitar melodies, some crescendos, yet I still have no idea what they’re trying to do. They have a pair of energetic sax players, but the band doesn’t really need them for the music they’re making. They’re both relegated to the back while two moderately talented singers share centre stage.

11:25pm Now I’m bored… Sorry Paint Movement, you need to put a little more direction in your music, because right now you are the auditory equivalent of haphazardly throwing a lot of paint on a canvas and hoping for the best. On to the next…

12:03am Montreal’s Parlovr are rocking out so fucking hard at the Horseshoe.

12:16am There’s no way that this band could sound as good recorded as they do live because part of my enjoyment is stemming from their amazing hair, limitless energy and quirky charm — in other words, attributes that never really translates well into digital or analog form. This is still great though and I’m going to check out the album regardless of my pessimism.

12:40am It’s rare, for me at least, to get so disappointed when a band walks off stage that I immediately check when they’ll be back in town next. I can’t wait to see this bizarre cacophony of pop hooks, guitar noise and gleeful shrieking again. Parlovr saved my first night of NXNE from being a dull disappointment. — Sean MacKay

Horseshoe Tavern

9:30pm Arrive at the Horseshoe for the M for Montreal showcase. I am super early for The O Voids. Better have a glass of water to prove to everyone that I am here to party.

10:07pm The O Voids start a little late. Here is the part where I describe their sound: sludgy guitars, sloppy drums, punchy bass lines, and sparse, atonal vocals. They kind of clear the room, and some people are audibly annoyed. Between songs they make frustrating half-attempts at banter. Aside from these things it’s a good set.

11:02pm Red Mass takes the stage. They’re a heady, avant-garage collective, mostly from Montreal. A broken guitar string derails the set for a frustratingly long time. They get things back on track, and Sian from Toronto soul-pop band The Sphinxs lends brassy back-up vocals to a couple songs.

11:59pm Parlovr (Parlour with a Latin ‘U’) is up next. They’re a three-piece that draws on synth-pop, garage, and prog rock. Within two songs they have won back the audience members that were put off by The O Voids and Red Mass. Man, they play really hard.

12:40am Sorry Varsity, too tired for We Are Wolves. I will give you a review of the last time I saw them: they are pretty cool. Goodnight everyone! — Dan Berube

The Garrison

11:03pm Lower Manhattan “cool cats,” The Postelles, get on stage and boyishly walk into one another as they jump into their first song.

11:10pm A room once occupied by an older-looking crowd has been replaced by a large group of 20-something girls.

11:13pm Aforementioned girls stare up in adoration with their mouths slightly open.*

11:15pm The lead singer, Daniel Balk is incredibly charismatic.

11:20pm “Hey guy, you should call your next album: small dude, big voice.”

11:25pm The band has launched fully into a cover of Presley’s “Hound Dog.” They’re performing the song like they wrote it themselves. #GoodKaraoke

11:35pm End the set with their hit “White Night.” Cute song, guys.

11:36pm Trying so hard not to compare them to the Strokes!
*Important to note that since the stage at the Garrison is slightly elevated it helped give me this impression. Also, members of The Postelles are pretty handsome.

12:02am Special guest tonight are Montreal art rock group Suuns.

12:15am Once again, a starkly different looking crowd replaces the last. Everyone looks old again!

12:30am Lead singer Ben Shemie moans into his microphone, which somehow lends itself well to the musical build ups.

12:40am Overall, good set. Suuns made it incredibly easy to appreciate them. — Navi Lamba