NORTH BY NORTHEAST Kicks Off Today in Toronto

NORTH BY NORTHEAST (NXNE) takes place today, June 17, through June 21, 2015 in Toronto, and features hip hop's rising stars, an arsenal of the strongest female performers around, and the best breaking bands in North America.

NXNE Music has confirmed performances by "Mr. Wonderful" himself, Action Bronson; indie rock supergroup The New Pornographers; rising hip hop duo Rae Sremmurd; sun-drenched Best Coast, described by Noisey as "Californian badasses, plain and simple"; Real Estate, whose recent album Atlas landed on Stereogum's 50 Best Albums of 2014 list; Kanye collaborator Ty Dolla $ign; Angel Olsen, who has earned comparisons to Leonard Cohen by NME and Consequence of Sound; Vince Staples, who XXL says is "beyond his years"; Glass Animals, who were recently named Band of the Year by the BBC; Blonde Redhead, after releasing their much lauded ninth album Barragán last fall; rapper Tink, crowned "a no-bulls teenage feminist" by FADER; Deafheaven, whose music was characterized by Pitchfork as "dire black metal to triumphant post-rock "; and Baths, called the "romantic black sheep" of electronic music by Drowned in Sound.

Also announced: Pentagram, the legendary doom metal band; ex-Crystal Castles member Alice Glass, who is currently recording her solo debut; HEALTH, who the LA Times say "constantly affirms that there is still ground left to break in modern music"; Iceage, known for their wild and genre-bending performances; Zola Jesus, who Exclaim! says "fits perfectly in the modern pop landscape alongside Lorde, Sia, Grimes and Florence"; fierce Vancouver punk quartet White Lung; OM, who The Quietus say "know their s"; Liturgy, following the March release of their much-anticipated album The Art of Work; Ibeyi, praised by NPR for their "sonically stunning, wildly inventive work"; and Betty Who, whose album Take Me When You Go was named Best Pop Album in 2014 by SPIN.

Also confirmed for the NXNE Music lineup: A Place To Bury Strangers, Odonis Odonis, San Fermin, No Joy, Lower Dens, The Gories, Lydia Ainsworth, Bishop Nehru, Aidan Knight, Son Lux, Cathedrals, Heems, Coliseum, Ryley Walker, Kate Tempest, Jacco Gardner, UNiiQU3, Dilly Dally, Amen Dunes, Obliterations, K.Flay, + more to come.

This year, NXNE has made it easier for fans to get in to see their favourite bands. Instead of cursing the bouncer because the venue's hit capacity, NXNE will offer festivalgoers a chance to purchase advanced tickets for select shows. Tickets for Northby Advanced shows are $20-$35 and are on sale now at www.nxne.com.

Also, fans who purchase three Northby Advanced tickets can upgrade to a full-festival platinum badge for an additional $60. As usual, that platinum badge will grant access (19+ and subject to capacity) to every NXNE show. Four-day ($49) and single day ($30) wristbands will also return for NXNE 2015, providing festivalgoers access to premium Clubland shows at venues including: Adelaide Hall, The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, Lee's Palace, The Garrison, The Silver Dollar, and many more.

Spotify is the exclusive online streaming partner of NXNE 2015. "We are incredibly proud to be a part of this year's NXNE," said Jamie Herbert, Head of Marketing for Spotify Canada. "NXNE is an amazing celebration of music and Spotify will enhance the experience by enabling fans to enjoy unique playlists of artists and performers online." Check out the exclusive NXNE playlist here.

For additional information and to see more of the artists playing NXNE 2015, visit www.nxne.com. More exciting programming and partnership announcements will be released in the coming weeks . . . stay tuned!

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