North by Northeast
annual music festival held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
North by Northeast (or NXNE) is an annual music and arts festival held each June in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The festival's main focus is live music, particularly emerging talent. Acts that have had break out appearances at NXNE at small venues early in their careers include Lizzo, Daniel Caesar, Run the Jewels, The Lumineers, Grimes, Gary Clark Jr., The Arkells, Feist, and Billy Talent. In its return post-COVID, the festival embraced its roots as a discovery event, programming exclusively in Toronto's live music venues.
Previously, the festival has also featured an eSports gaming tournament, comedy, a conversations series, a flea market and more.
History
NXNE began in 1995, patterned on the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. It was co-founded by Andy McLean, Now magazine editor Michael Hollett, Now executive editor Alice Klein, music programmer Derek Andrews and music promoter Yvonne Matsell. The SXSW organization is a minority ownership partner in NXNE. At that time it was a three-day festival with about 300 bands, mainly local, unsigned, independent artists. Over the years the festival expanded its attendance and began to feature well-known performers. The festival events took place in a number of venues, and participants purchased wristbands for entry into the events.
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