Over 600 bands are in Toronto this week for Canada’s largest music festival and industry conference, including 16 acts from Manitoba.

Featuring an industry conference and music festival with performances by established and emerging artists in more than 40 different downtown venues, North by Northeast (NXNE) started Monday, June 13 and runs until Sunday, June 20.

The group of Manitoba artists showcasing at NXNE 2011 includes soul-pop duo Imaginary Cities, indie rock bands The Details and Enjoy Your Pumas, singer-songwriters Ingrid Gatin, Gt. Dane and Greg MacPherson, surf-noir power trio This Hisses, hip-hop act Magnum K.I., electro-pop band Goldenboy and electronic acts Cyclist and Joe Silva.

Uniter managing editor Aaron Epp is in Toronto to cover the event. Stay tuned to his blog at www.uniter.ca/blog for updates, as well as his twitter feed at www.twitter.com/aaronepp.

“Industry events such as NXNE are vital to the market development and career advancement of Manitoba artists and industry professionals,” according to a Manitoba Music media release.

“Manitoba Music and Manitoba Film & Music provide financial support and travel assistance through the Market Access Program. The purpose of the jointly-funded program is to support Manitoba artists and music industry professionals in professional development, and in attending and enhancing their presence at professionally organized music industry conference and showcases.”

NXNE 2011 will also feature performances by the likes of Devo, Descendants, Fucked Up, Men Without Hats, Chad VanGaalen, Library Voices, Diamond Rings, PS I Love You, Braids, Hot Water Music and Shad.

Visit www.nxne.com for details.

MANITOBA LINEUP AT NXNE 2011



Manitoba Showcase 
Thursday, June 16 – Gladstone Hotel Ballroom


9 p.m. – This Hisses

10 p.m. – Greg MacPherson

11p.m. – The Details

12 a.m. – Les Jupes

1 a.m. – Cyclist

Other Manitoba Bands playing NXNE


Ingrid Gatin – June 15 @ The Painted Lady – 8 p.m.

Mise en Scene –  June 15 @ The Painted Lady – 9 p.m.
The Seed Organization – June 15 @ Lula Lounge – 11:30 p.m. 

Joe Silva – June 15 @ Lula Lounge – 1 a.m.
Gt. DANE – June 16 @ Bread & Circus – 8 p.m.

Goldenboy – June 16 @ The Supermarket – 9 p.m.

Magnum K.I. – June 16 @ Crawford – 10 p.m.

Imaginary Cities – June 16 @ Rivoli – 11 p.m.

Enjoy Your Pumas – June 17 @ Sneaky Dee’s – 9 p.m.

Ian La Rue & the Heartbeat City – June 17 @ Bread & Circus – 11 p.m
.
Abstract Artform – June 17 @ Crawford – 12 a.m.