I started my second NXNE night still hyped from the previous night’s epic 2 am White Cowbell Oklahoma show, but also with the bittersweet realization that my festival experience might have peaked on the first night. It’d take a lot to top the venerable shit-show that was White Cowbell. But it’s NXNE and there’s still plenty left to see and even more left to hear.

With that in mind, I headed to Yonge and Dundas Square for a 9:00 set by D.C. indie-rockers, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. The first thing I noticed about the show was that the crowd was perceptibly younger than Teenage Head at the same venue the night before. But that’s to be expected. What I didn’t expect was that with the cult-like “hero” status constantly awarded to Ted Leo, that his music would be so bland. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t bad. I’d even go so far as to call it “pretty good”. But certainly nothing amazing.

After their cover of Daft Punk’s “One More Time,” I decided to haul ass over to the Reverb before the looming rain storm. But I only made it halfway before giving up and ducking under a bus shelter. I didn’t know whether to hail a cab or start building an ark. I chose the former and taxied over to the Reverb for the fittingly-titled Great Lake Swimmers.

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Thursday was a successful first NXNE night for blogUT, but we’re here to help you. With far too many bands to choose from, we’re here to help you narrow it down. And of course, as always, we’d love to hear your feedback. Who are you looking forward to seeing? Who did you see that blew you away? Which club overcharged you for beer? Who is your favourite Power Ranger? We want to know it all.

So without further ado, here are some bands you should check out tonight:

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