By Tom Beedham

This year’s North by North East was a pendulum experience that swung from frustrating lows to really solid sensory experiences.

Lacking the web #metrics NXNE press handlers were demanding this season, I simply didn’t bother applying for accreditation, but I tried my luck and brought my camera with me anyway. That lack of credentials ultimately meant being turned away at the door at the Pissed Jeans/GOAT show at Lee’s after a solid Swans/St. Vincent shoot I managed from the crowd at Yonge-Dundas, so I stashed my camera at a nearby friend’s place, rushed back for the chaos, and between leaning into white-knuckled bike rides to gigs straight from my day job over the next few days, I didn’t manage to get it back until today. Bonus excuse: I could have also given you photos of the Maica Mia/Circuit des Yeux/Thoughts on Air showcase at the Garrison on Wednesday, but I straight up forgot to pack my camera with an SD card. Technology!
Marking my first year not having to answer to an editor for my NXNE experience, I decided to limit the venue hopping and stick to checking out showcases, and I have to say this is the way to do the festival. Forget about the gamification and just lock in to a good lineup. While I am bummed I couldn’t get shots of GOAT’s kaleidoscopic costumes or the secret (technically not a NXNE show) METZ show last night, I do have to say (mark my words, Yonge-Dundas smartphone praisers) it was a relief to have a concrete excuse to put the camera down and just enjoy the experience for what it was.

Anyway, here are shots from two out of the five days I attended NXNE this year.