In The Flesh...NXNE - Thursday Night Edition

After being paralyzed by indecision throughout my first full night of NXNE in Toronto (SO many great bands to see), I seriously hoped this morning would be like Groundhog Day and I could relive the night over and over and choose different concert paths. And maybe learn something about life, love, and relationships in the process! The Russian Futurists, Health, Junior Boys, DD/MM/YYYY, Grand Analog, and Lily Frost each played midnight sets at various venues across the city, and I wanted to attend them all. But, alas, reliving the day was not in the cards (or even possible, really). 

Tomorrow, though, is a fresh morning. 

Below are some photos from shows I attended. All in all, it was a fantastic, lively, and highly varied night of music. My evening started out with thoughtful, well-crafted atmo-rock  from Young Galaxy then shifted to the moody, Gothy soundscapes courtesy of Zola Jesus and her strikingly operatic voice. What a magically elastic set of pipes the young songstress (21) possesses! At 10 O'Clock, Lee's Palace hosted the collaborative efforts of three singer-songwriters: Royal Wood, Amelia Curran, and Andy Maize. This set was easy on the ears and ripe with fun and spontaneity and impassioned performances, but, by hour's end, I desperately craved some upbeat, gut-rattling music. Which brought me to acclaimed dance-pop-rockers The Russian Futurists at El Macambo, followed by up-and-coming electro-dance trio DVAS. Watched and enjoyed them for a bit before ducking downstairs for the tail-end of ramshackle folk-rockers Great Bloomers' energetic showcase. Two shows in the same venue. Very spoiled. 

 8 p.m. Young Galaxy @ Mod Club Theatre

9 p.m. Zola Jesus @ Sneaky Dee's

10 p.m. Amelia Curran, Royal Wood, and Andy Maize @ Lee's Palace

12 a.m. The Russian Futurists @ El Mocambo (Upstairs)

1 a.m. DVAS @ El Mocambo (Upstairs)

1 a.m. Great Bloomers @ El Mocambo (Main Floor)