Ten Artists We’re Excited To See at NXNE 2026
It’s almost our favourite time of the year: NXNE!
As loyal stans of the festival, the most exciting part of the weekend is discovering new music, meeting musicians—some who live down the street from us and others who are based halfway across the world—and unlocking a new wicked playlist.
So, as tradition follows, here’s a shortlist of some of the acts we’re most excited to see at NXNE ⋆⭒˚｡⋆
Performing:
June 13, 9:00 PM @ Division 88
Through heartfelt lyrics and sharp songwriting, Lila Gray explores young adulthood and queer womanhood in the 21st century. Inspired by artists like The Beatles, James Brown, Queen, and The Kinks, alongside Arlo Parks, Lorde, Billie Eilish, Bleachers, and Feist, Lila has developed a distinct indie pop sound.
PERFORMING:
JUNE 12, 12 AM @ CASSETTE
SRE (pronounced “sorry”) is a fierce, versatile voice from Scarborough, ON, blending hard-hitting rhymes with soulful, cinematic storytelling. SRE also collaborated with Canadian Hall of Famer Randy Bachman on “I Want It All, A Tribute to The Blue Jays,” embraced by the Toronto Blue Jays during their World Series run. Bold and constantly evolving, SRE is shaping the next wave of Canadian hip-hop.
PERFORMING:
June 12, 7:00 PM @ Harmony Cafe Patio
Micah Sage is a rising alt-pop artist from Calgary, known for cinematic production and nostalgic storytelling. She has appeared on KSPS PBS, performed on the Calgary Stampede main stage, and continues to sell out headlining shows. After multiple YYC Music Award nominations, she won Pop Recording of the Year in 2025 and released her glitter-pop EP GIRLFRIEND that fall, marking a bold new chapter in her sound.
PERFORMING:
June 11, 9:00 PM @ Handlebar
King Falcon are an explosive alternative rock trio from New York City, fusing vintage guitar grit with modern alt-rock energy. Fronted by Michael Rubin (vocals, lead guitar) alongside Joe Conserva (bass) and Dipayan “Dip” Chakraborty (drums), the band delivers high-octane, guitar-driven anthems inspired by The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and Foo Fighters.
PERFORMING:
J
une 11, 9:00 PM @ Handlebar
Hush Valley is a dream pop duo from Toronto. The band consists of producer/guitarist Ben Musiala and vocalist Mersum Khokhar. After releasing a series of singles, they are now in the process of writing and recording their debut album.
PERFORMING:
June 13, 12 AM @ Pilot
Honeybear, the Band is a Vancouver, BC–based vintage soul, blues, and roots quartet that evokes an old-school road trip through the dusty back roads of American music. Blending classic influences with a fresh perspective, the group delivers a timeless sound grounded in groove and grit. As music blog B-Side Guys described it, their style feels “as if The Teskey Brothers decided to collaborate with the ghost of Muddy Waters.”
PERFORMING:
June 12,10 PM @ Cassette
Kreesha Turner is a Platinum-selling Canadian-Jamaican artist known for her powerhouse vocals and fearless blend of pop, R&B, and soul. After a decade away from releasing music, Kreesha returns with a bold new neo-soul sound rooted in jazz, fusing live orchestration with raw storytelling. Rolling out new music in 2026, she is stepping into her next chapter with unapologetic soul and renewed fire.
PERFORMING:
June 12, 12:00 AM @ Trinity Common
Toronto-based Neon Bloom fuses synth-pop and garage rock with explosive energy and genre-blending creativity. Influenced by modern electronica, ’70s punk, ’80s new wave, and ’90s grunge, their sound has drawn comparisons to Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire, Blondie, and Radiohead.
The four-piece—Jen Simpson (vocals), Simon Chow (guitar/keys), Chris Romano (drums), and Fred Yurichuk (bass)—has become one of Toronto’s most electrifying live acts. Despite facing severe epilepsy, Simpson has continued to lead the band with resilience and passion.
PERFORMING:
June 13, 10:00 PM @ Cameron House
Maddy McKenzie is a rising voice in Canadian country music, blending heartfelt storytelling with a bold, genre-bending sound. Rooted in country tradition and influenced by rock, pop, and punk, her music delivers raw honesty and relatable emotion. She has shared stages with Canadian legends, played major festivals, and headlined sold-out shows. As an artist living with an invisible disability, Maddy encourages others to pursue their goals, regardless of the obstacles they face.
PERFORMING:
June 11, 10:00 PM @ Hard Luck Bar
Ever wanted to go back to a time when rock bands littered MTV, and all that mattered was who played the fastest, grittiest guitar riff? A time when overproduced pop songs lost out to garage rock anthems. It is The High Love’s prerogative to dip you into the fountain of nostalgia and transport you back to the early 2000s. In true indie rock fashion, their music is made to crack open the closest beer and lighten the soul.