Music

NXNE REVIEWED: Devo, Wild Nothing, DD/MM/YYYY, Humans, Dirty Beaches

by AUX staff

REVIEWS FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 18

DD/MM/YYYY @ Yonge Dundas Square, 4 p.m.
Watching Toronto’s experimental ingénues play fearlessly under the hot summer sun deserved more than just a handful of passersby, but as is the case with afternoon timeslots—regardless of venue size and its corresponding worth—often deserving bands don’t earn the recognition they’re owed. However, despite the lack of attendance, DD/MM/YYYY lived up to the stage size as well as their reputation, with a dynamic performance topped only by the appearance of two large, foil balloons that brought as much as joy as the band brought energy. Unfortunately for them, their fans are aware that YDS pales in comparison to letting loose within the tight confines of a dimly lit nightclub, and that bold experimentation isn’t synonymous with a tourist hotspot on a Saturday afternoon. (Anne Donahue)

Dirty Beaches @ Yonge Dundas Square, 5 p.m.
If you caught the Polaris longlisted Dirty Beaches yesterday afternoon, you’ll relate to the nearly obsessive play and replaying of Badlands that’s dictated the soundtrack of my Sunday morning. Offering an honest, sincere and vulnerable interpretation of the ever-applauded record, mastermind Alex Zhang Hungtai relied not on antics, outlandishness or the gimmicks required of some solo artists, but on his instruments and his microphone, inviting the crowd into his world of understated darkness. Convincing the heat-stricken audience of his musical worth, Hungtai abolished the worries of those concerned with the appropriateness of an afternoon timeslot (read: me), and transfixed those within earshot thanks to his nonchalant allure. Shortlist, he’s coming for you. (AD)

Devo @ Yonge Dundas Square, 9:30 p.m.
Proving that last year’s “How is this happening in Toronto”-ness of Yonge Street shutting down for a Stooges show wasn’t a fluke, Akron’s best weirdos ground traffic in the middle of the city to a standstill for an hour and a half set of inspired post-punk and new wave. The band’s core themes of human de-evolution ring as true today as they did when the “Mongoloid” single was first released in 1976; Devo are a punk band that has been allowed to age gracefully, because songs like “Uncontrollable Urge” make us much sense being sung by a 30 year-old as a 60 year-old. Highlights of the show included the numerous costume changes, demoing all the Devo looks we know and love, and an encore of “Freedom of Choice” which saw Mark Mothersbaugh emerge with boxes of snacks from backstage stuffed under his shirt, revealed and tossed in to the crowd at the song’s climax. (Sam Sutherland)

Humans @ Wrongbar, 10 p.m.
To get the patrons of Wrongbar to dance shortly after sunset is no small feat, but after a handful of attendees evolved into the makings of a humble-yet-overt dance party, the Vancouver two-piece proved that given a later timeslot and an at-capacity audience, they’d easily drench listeners with their bold brand of dance until all hours. However, as proven by preceding festivals, Saturday night is reserved for YDS headliners, and as the duo launched into their vivacious 40-minute set, the priorities of absent NXNE attendees were made quite obvious. Yet for no second did the band falter, as Humans treated their only appearance with integrity of seasoned veterans, making that short dance party even more worthwhile. (AD)

Wild Nothing @ Lee’s Palace as part of the AUX Showcase, 11:00 p.m.
Listening to Wild Nothing, the solo project of Blacksburg, Virginia’s Jack Tatum, is like driving with the windows down on a lonely stretch of highway in the summertime. There’s no pressure to move from other cars, the view around you is not obstructed and for some reason you can’t help but feel happy about your current situation. One could also say listening to Wild Nothing is also like putting on a record by an updated version of New Order or even further, The Smiths. Regardless, the band’s set last night at Lee’s Palace delivered a breath of fresh air to those present inside and perhaps a little optimism to those waiting in line outside. Their latest album, 2010’s Gemini, was on full display and included the stand-outs “Summer Holiday” and “Chinatown,” as well as a few new tracks set for a new record we hope will be released before the year is out. (Ciaran Thompson)

FRIDAY REVIEWS HERE.
THURSDAY REVIEWS HERE.
WEDNESDAY REVIEWS HERE.