Music

The AUX TV Survival Guide to NXNE 2010

by Melody Lau

Invest in a bike
Walking will take you too long and driving or taking the streetcar will cost you so to save you a couple of bucks and make sure you don’t lose your mind running from venue to venue the best way to travel is on a bike. Plus, chances are the weather will happily comply. If you don’t own a bike, borrow a friend’s or even steal one. I give you permission.

Bring earplugs
It’s pretty much the cardinal rule of attending shows – bring earplugs; it will save your life. Going deaf might sound far-fetched to you but trust me, speakers at venues are not meant to be experienced without protective gear. Good tip: if you forget earplugs, take some tissue paper, scrunch it up and put them in your ear. It works.

Plan As, plan Bs, maybe even plan Cs
Festivals are complicated and the choices can get overwhelming so planning ahead is very important. Lay out logical travel routes, order of shows and maybe even plan a pit stop for some street meat. Having back-up plans is also a must. Often, the bigger ticket shows will be packed or there might be a line up and you’d have to wait hours to get in. That’s when a back-up plan is useful. Why bother wait when you’ve got fifty other shows happening around you! There’s no time to waste!

Remember to eat!
I understand there’s a lot of music to take in but don’t forget to have a healthy meal in between it all! And of course, a beer or two (or eight) if you’d like.

When all else fails head to Dundas Square
Dundas Square hosts free shows all night long, and most of the time during the day as well. If plans don’t work out and you can’t think of any other show to attend, why not stop by the outdoor stage and check out who’s playing. You never know who you’ll catch…Iggy? Is that you? Bonus: every year, Dundas Square offers up an indie market where you can chat with bands, check out their music and personally support them by buying a CD or two!

Always keep one eye on your Twitter or Facebook
Secret shows and last minute announcements of ‘special guests’ are constantly being tweeted or Facebook’d so as much as you should run around and catch shows, make sure to keep an eye on what people are saying in the magical world of the internet. For all you know your favourite band is setting up and preparing to play a secret show down the street from where you are – RUN!

Passholders – make sure to staple, glue or tape the pass to yourself
I’ll admit it, I lost my pass last year. Not fun at all. And if it wasn’t for the kindness and generosity of a friend who gave me their tour manager’s pass, I would’ve spent the last two nights of the festival attempting to drown myself in Lake Ontario. This just teaches you that you must make sure you don’t lose your wristband or pass at any cost because the second you drop it, a dozen crazy music geeks will jump on it like a pack of hungry wolves.