Nobody likes going to shows alone. Well, some people do but they are shows themselves: freak shows. I certainly don't like it, but at NXNE it's a different matter. The nature and fluidity of the festival allows for a great number of encounters with fellow travellers as well as the good people who support the infrastructure of the madness.
So for this summary I'm taking the point of view that the festival is more about the people then the music, film, art, interactivity, or even the alcohol. Here are the coolest of the cool of NXNE 2013.
The Lady who gave me my media pass
It was a brief interaction, but she was super cool despite having to work with media people all week. She laughed at my quip, was efficient, and wasn't wearing an obnoxious fedora. Usually the Hyatt Regency (headquarters of NXNE), gives me weird vibes due to the large concentration of "industry people," but she alleviated that stress and I was able to slip out before someone gave me a dirty look.
That dude I met outside The Horseshoe
This dude was taking pictures outside of the Horseshoe. Trying to make my own impression of the crowd, I asked him what his caption for the photos would be: "Too drunk to get into The Horseshoe," he quipped and went on to explain that he was referring to himself.
Despite his strong desire to get into the Dan Deacon, show he remained in high spirits (literally and figuratively), going into great detail about the positive experience he had so far, particularly with the interactive aspects of the show. Finally, he gave me his wrist band that would have entitled me free drinks at The Hoxton. Solid move by a solid dude.
The Sax Player of Nicholas Doubleyou and The B-Squad
Actually, all the members of Nicholas Doubleyou and The B-Squad seemed cool and their set was amazing, but there's looking cool and then there's looking cool ripping saxaphone, which is the coolest thing one can be doing. This dude had more chops than Master Tommy Chang's Black Belt World.
The Crowd at the Yonge & Dundas Square concerts!
Just by the sheer fact that no-one got shot, trampled, stabbed, beaten, jumped, thugged, jugged, wedged, slegged, dregged, or blown up. Really cool everyone!
Most of the Bouncers
NXNE shows are extra confusing due to the hierarchy of the passes but not one took out their frustration on me, an easy target (see previous comment sections).
The band DIANA
From the very back of the bar I was immersed in their show, even if I had to squint. The energetic blobs bustling behind what I assumed to be instruments put on an dynamite show. My impression was enforced by the audience, whom I could see much clearer, and whose apparent delight reached all the way to my spot.
The only frustration I felt was during the first few songs wherein I was disappointed with the use of a pre-recorded saxophone. So imagine my delight when a fellow 12 feet away moved his head and revealed a saxophone player!
I could have come earlier so the blame is entirely mine. I don't don think it was a fair impression of a band, really it was more akin to watching a preview of what DIANA is like live. The reporter, for one, can't wait to see them within my range of vision.
Me.
I thought I did a pretty good job being a participant.
Photos by Denise McMullin and Andrew Williamson