2008 North By Northeast Music Festival and Conference (NXNE)

Now in its 14th year, North by Northeast is Canada's #1 showcase for the best new independent music and music-related films.

For four days and nights every June, NXNE takes over Toronto to present the hottest bands, the coolest films, and the newest music-biz ideas—all within a few km of each other. This year's event will be held from June 12-15. Last year, 70,000 music junkies flooded Toronto's famous club district for the festival. North by Northeast is a feeding frenzy for fans, a must-do for performers, and a vital gathering for international music & film industry execs.

The Music Festival gives 500 local, national and international artists the chance to rock the crowds and to showcase for agents, talent buyers, media, promoters, labels and management company heavies at a variety of essential downtown venues. While many NXNE performers have hit the fest's 40 club stages on their way to major international breakthroughs, other high-profile acts join the fray to help make NXNE essential and eclectic. Festival alumni include Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Dinosaur Jr., Feist, The Dears, The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Pere Ubu, Sufjan Stevens, Patrick Watson, Kathleen Edwards, Ron Sexsmith, K'naan, Jason Collett, Sarah Harmer, and Sum41.



The NXNE Conference attracts over 2,300 delegates for celebrity interviews and music-biz panels that ask tough questions and dish out straight answers. Our demo-listening and mentoring sessions tell you what you need to know to keep your career going deep into the 21st century—no "Idol" fluff here. Past speakers include Police drummer Stewart Copeland, head Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten, guerrilla songwriters Steve Earle and Bruce Cockburn, and Stones' ex-guru Andrew Loog Oldham.

At the same time, the NXNE Film Festival screens the best music movies, from concert classics to the latest indie docs from Rio to Rwanda.

All the buzz bounces back to the rest of the world via correspondents from international media like the BBC, Vanity Fair, and the New York Times, who join Canadian journalists at prime festival showcases. Over 600 accredited media covered last year's NXNE festival.

If you are a Sonicbids member; until Dec 31, 2007 it's just $25 to get your act on stage for Canada's premier eclectic music festival and conference next June (member's submission fee from Jan 1, 2008 - Jan 31, 2008 is $35).



Performers selected to appear at NXNE '08 will have their artist information and web site links featured at www.nxne.com (the site received over 4.5 million hits in 2007). Please make sure your EPK is complete and up-to-date. EPKs that do not have audio clips, bios or photos will not be considered.


"The NXNE experience was one of the most magical events of 2007 for The Soundtrack of our lives... Toronto is always the place to be when it comes to interesting entertainment. And the people are almost as beautiful as the Swedes...' -Ebbot, The Soundtrack of our Lives

"NXNE is an exciting combination of indie music and a film lover's gourmet feast. We had a great time and we would love to come back." -Stewart Copeland

"It was great to be able to participate in NXNE, as a performer and as the celebrity interview." -Bruce Cockburn

"Thousands of artists showcased by NXNE directly to key music and film executives. This is where you bring your entertainment vehicle if you want serious industry attention." -Rob Halford, Judas Priest

"Toronto's multicultural mix provides the perfect backdrop for NXNE's eclectic choice of music films." -Don Letts, director, Rock it to Rio

"North by Northeast is one of the best gatherings on music and music people I've ever attended." -Danny Goldberg, former manager of Nirvana, Hole, the Beastie Boys