Saturday, June 18, 2011

NXNE 2011 - Toronto

Just got home from the NXNE concert at Yonge and Dundas Square. The North By North East Festival is THE music event of the summer. Like last year, bands played all day and well into the night. The concert ended around 4:00 am, and thousands of music fans showed up for this once a year event. It's not only Yonge and Dundas that draws the crowd, bars and clubs all over the city hosts bands of all shapes, sizes and styles, and as an added bonus most of the bars kept serving till 4:00 in the morning, how often does that happen. Among the headliners for Saturday night included two iconic bands that need no introduction and certainly know how to kick it. Men Without Hats took the stage around 8 pm and played a fast paced set that lasted just under an hour, it really got the crowd going. DEVO hit the stage at approximately 9:30, what a set they put on. It lasted about an hour and a half in which they played many of the old classics plus some of the newer material including tracks off their latest album "Something For Everyone" the first studio release in 20 years . I'm glad I saw the show, wasn't certain I was gonna to make it...it's easy to see why their still doing it after 30 years ... I'm on my out the door to buy the new album right now.
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DEVO Headlined Saturday nights concert.
From Assorted Concert Photos

Thousand packed Yonge and Dundas Square to see DEVO play a set that lasted just over an hour an a half.
From Assorted Concert Photos

The energy of this band is unbelievable, you could tell they were all having a great time. It's easy to see why they're still doing it after 30 years.
From Assorted Concert Photos


From Assorted Concert Photos

As is the case with DEVO the occasional costume change seems to be one of their hallmarks. But don't let that that fool you, these guys are amount the most talented musicians in the world.

From Assorted Concert Photos


From Assorted Concert Photos

Just like every year thousands and thousands jammed Yonge and Dundas Square for this free summer concert which features bands from all over the world.
From Assorted Concert Photos


From Assorted Concert Photos

Another great Canadian Band "Men Without Hats" also played a great set that lasted just under an hour.
From Assorted Concert Photos

I was thoroughly impressed with Men Without Hats, this is a band I never got to see during the 80's. One thing you'll notice about these of 80's bands that you don't really see allot of today... singers that actually sing, and the musicians actually play instruments... No lip syncing...
From Assorted Concert Photos
Below is DEVO's opening from the NXNE concert in Toronto. Yours truly was at the very front just to the right of the stage, although I don't think I'm in this footage. This will give you an idea of just how energetic and electric this show was.

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