The unofficial start of Toronto’s extended summer can be determined by a few key things: the first time people fill bar patios when temperatures rise above freezing, Jays games, especially in an open Dome, and NXNE, whose outdoor shows and trekking across the city in the evening smog take us comfortably into the actual calendar start of the season. The first two happened long ago. The last one starts today.

The first night of NXNE is always the lightest, but there are still reasons to get out:

Makeout Videotape mastermind Mac DeMarco plays the Drake tonight, but if you miss it, he’ll also be on the Bruise Cruise on Saturday. Check out DeMarco’s new video for “European Vegas” here.

Toronto’s own Rich Kidd is at the Rivoli with Notes to Self as well as Brooklyn’s Upperclass Men and lots more.

Cold Warps reclaim pop punk at Parts and Labour with K-Holes and Ultrathin.

And Toronto’s Teenanger get to show off stuff from their latest album, the most excellent Frights, released earlier this year, at the Garrison. Read guitarist Jon Schouten’s version of the band’s NXNE, including their plans to take you to the island and their festival picks, below.

AUX: Say you’re playing host for a day to an out of towner band/artist in T.O. for NXNE. Where do you take them?

Teenanger guitarist Jon Schouten: The Island, California Sandwiches, and the Beer Store—in reverse order.

Is there anything you’re looking forward to seeing or adamant about avoiding at NXNE?

Gonna definitely avoid Matthew Good.

What’s the best and worst thing about a festival like NXNE? Does it compare to others you’ve played or attended?

The best thing is that I get to sleep in my own bed. The worst thing would be the fact that I still have to work this week.

What’s your favourite Toronto artist, and why?

[Artist/Reason]
Metz – Shitty Bowlers
Young Mother – Inflated Egos
Soupcans – Muppet Faces
Trust – Hot Goth Chicks
Jeremy Jansen – Dark Dad vibes
Abyss – You have no idea
Shit – N O S H I T
Jesse Harris – Soap Nope
Kremlim – D Bro Beat
Kontravoid – Looks like Batman
Niall McClelland – Major Dad Vibes
Fiver – $100 – 95%
Ell V Gore – Never the same / never recording

Tell us why your show is the show everyone should make sure to see.

I’m really not sure it is….

What else is Teenanger up to that we should know about?

Touching ourselves with prosthetic limbs.

Check out NXNE.com for the full festival schedule.