Yesterday's adventures began with me taking full advantage of the Interactive portion of the 2012 NXNE conference. I wanted to go to school, or at least find out some of the things people were learning about and interested in at this year's event. The first of two seminars that I attended was 'Social Media Marketing: Brands, Bands, and Fans.' The panelists included,
Daniel Ewing,
John Crooke,
Marisol Segal,
Kerri Cockrill, and was moderated by
Panos Panay. Packed into the conference room at the Hyatt Regency was a large crowd to hear this discussion. The panel talked about the processes of collaborations between bands, consumer brands, and fans. How these relationships are made, and how they can benefit all involved parties was the main conclusion of the conversation. New social mediums are helping to blend said campaigns and break down the walls between artists, products, and fans. Everyone in attendance was completely engaged in the conversation and seemed to take away an appreciation for this type of collaborative work. In the end, artists deserve to get paid.
The next seminar I attended was entitled 'Graffiti Goes Global: How Street Art Culture Thrives Online.' Featuring Graffiti/Street artists
Mediah and
Other, both from Toronto originally, along with
Lisa Martin, and moderated by
Joseph Wilson. This topic was of particular interest to me because I am of the opinion that the globalization of street art online is representative of many issues that other artistic mediums have with the advent of the internet, such as originality and the unique creativity of the art itself. While admiring in the creativity of the two artists works, informative conclusions were made about the positive and negative aspects of a street artists having their work go viral. But most importantly the topic of 'over-saturation' of all mediums became apparent in a discussion that focused solely on the one.
After NXNE class, I got to rest up and check the Euro 2012 scores. Then it was of for another night filled with interesting music. And boy-oh-boy it got more interesting as the night went on.
I headed over to Younge and Dundas Square, the "Main Stage," if you will, for the first time since I arrived in Toronto. The square itself is basically Toronto's version of Times Square. Tall buildings and many large advertisements fill one's 360° view. NXNE has many sponsors set up there showing off their products and the large stage is the primary location for the festival's largest acts. When I arrived Montreal based band
Plants and Animals began playing immediately, their brand of North American power-rock permeated the surrounding buildings in anticipation of the performance by Canadian treasure,
Matthew Good. Admittedly being from the United States, I haven't heard much of Matthew Good's music until recently. It's good, pun intended, but his performance was strange to say the least. Appearing agitated and aloof at times, Good rocked the crowd, but didn't seem pleased about it, even taking a break to have a seat. When it came time to leave, the scene was mobbed with thousands of people, and it took a lot of effort to meander through the masses of drunken people belting his lyrics.
It was time for a change of scenery, so a pal from Buffalo and myself headed uptown to Sneaky Dee's a famed Toronto venue in Kensington area on College st. We were looking to check out the Daps Records showcase one of the most talked about parties at this year's NXNE. Daps is a Toronto based label and promotion company featuring mostly local artists. When we arrived at the bar immediately I was reminded of Buffalo, with hints of the Pink and DBGB's the venue's upstairs floor was shaking as Toronto hardcore surf rock unit
Odonis Odonis electrified the crowd.
Next up was buzz-band of the century
Phèdre. Darlings of music bloggers everywhere, I had to see what this band was like live. It was pretty ridiculous. Taking the stage with a procession of glitter and theatrical props, including giant oversized Chinese fans, a half dozen or so vaguely ethnic looking beautiful young hipsters awestruck the crowd for the next forty minutes. From what I could tell, only one person was playing any instrument while everyone else danced and partied on stage, albeit the main crooner who serenaded the crowd with sexually charged lyrics. They have a lot of work to-do, but their performance was so fucking fun.
At the suggestion of some hotties who were sharing a cigarette outside the venue, we continued down College st. where blocks and blocks were blocked off from vehicle traffic for the "Taste of Little Italy" which to our shock was still going on past 1am. Unlike Buffalo, this Italian heritage festival was immersed with classy younger folks enjoying themselves moderately into the night hours. Something that we as Buffalonians cannot experience at home. On the way back down the same street we saw a crowd gathered outside a public building checking out a street band directly across from Sneaky Dee's. Neither my friend or I would've ever thought that we could possibly witness a stranger band than Phèdre in the same night, but Halifax band
Tupper Wear Remix Party absolutely blew our minds with their performance in the street. Donned in spandex and clever costumes, they describe themselves as Daft Punk/Iron Maiden Inspired Intergalactic-Electro-Dance-Metal. And playing as quietly as they could they entertained us for a good while right on the street. Of course not part of the NXNE festival, but completely remarkable in reference to our journeys through the Toronto night.
