This year’s North by Northeast (NXNE) lineup might just be one of the most stacked the city’s ever seen. With over 1,000 bands and a wide range of comedy, art, film, and interactive events, even thinking about June 13–22 can be a bit of a nightmare. Don’t despair: we’ve put together a list of seasoned festival survival hacks so that you can make the most of the week ahead.
1. Earplugs are key
Seeing St. Vincent perform at Yonge-Dundas Square in all her glory is pretty cool, but you know what’s not cool? Tinnitus. While not all live acts will play deliberately loud, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t protect your ears from hearing damage. Standard foam earplugs are cheap and come several to a pack for all your concert-going needs.
2. Wristband does not mean guaranteed admission.
If you picked up a music pass this year, you’re given priority admission to all official music and comedy events. However, this does not mean you have the ability to walk up to any given venue and walk in with the wave of your arm. Some venues are smaller than others. And yes, if it’s a popular show like Danny Brown or Mac DeMarco, it will be busy and there is a good chance that, if worst comes to worst, you’ll be turned away at the door.
If you opted out of the pass this year, look up the event info ahead of time. Check to see the admission cost and whether or not it’s all-ages. If you have a feeling it’s going to be a busy night (and you’ll probably be right), then go early. Even if it’s not, get there on time and get the most out of your $10 by catching all of the acts.
3. Toronto transit kind of sucks, we know.
Toronto is always a busy city. When World Pride begins near the end of NXNE, it’ll be downright chaotic. You can rely on the TTC to get you where you need to go — eventually. But if you’re hoping to get from Yonge-Dundas Square to The Garrison within 15 minutes, forget about it. The Dundas streetcar is notoriously slow when you need it to be on time. Honestly, there is no better time to try city cycling than now. You won’t be able to make it across the city in five minutes flat, but it certainly beats running late and missing a set or two because the streetcar is delayed 20 minutes. Otherwise, be realistic. Don’t exhaust yourself trying to get from one end of the city to the other every hour or so; give yourself wide windows of time between acts, and prioritize the bands that are most important to you.
4. Hydrate yourself before you wreck yourself.
If you’re going to be running around the city dancing up a storm, you’re going to need plenty of hydration. Drink lots of water. If a venue does not allow you to bring in a water bottle, don’t be shy to ask for a cup at the bar.
5. Have a plan.
Take a good look at NXNE’s lineup, and take note. Who do you want to see? Who do you need to see? Who sounds interesting? NXNE is a great time for you to catch all the bands that are making a splash on the blogosphere right now. Once you have a wish list, look at the schedule. There will be conflicts. Be ready to compromise as you make up your schedule.
If you’re having trouble choosing between bands, look up where they’re from and prioritize out-of-towners over local bands. There is a better chance that you will be able to catch a Toronto act in the weeks following NXNE than one that came all the way from Australia.
6. Have fun, keep it cool.
Missed a set? Don’t get too bummed out. Be open-minded about who you see at NXNE. While it might be the perfect chance to catch your favourite rapper three times in a week, NXNE should be a time for discovering new talent, whether it’s a local act you never gave a chance, or an up-and-coming artist whose first show in Toronto just so happens to be at the festival. If you’re attending with friends, be accommodating with everyone’s choice of acts. Ultimately, don’t stress out — let yourself be surprised by what the festival has to offer, and soak it all up in the June sunshine with a beer or two and some good company.
