NXNE announces festival concerts

NXNE announces 14 incredible concerts in Toronto this summer. The festival kicks off on June 14 and runs until June 20, 2010. Tickets are now available online at www.nxne.com.

Presented by Virgin Mobile Canada, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Iggy & The Stooges headline an explosive free show on Saturday, June 19 on the Virgin Mobile Stage at Yonge-Dundas Square – their first North American tour date this summer and only Canadian date on the tour. The Stooges’ line-up features James Williamson on guitar, original Stooge Scott Asheton on drums, bassist Mike Watt of Minutemen fame, long-time saxman Steve Mackay - and, up front, the godfather of punk himself: Iggy Pop.

“Virgin’s history is rooted in music, so partnering with NXNE and bringing an act like Iggy & The Stooges in for a free show is just the sort of thing Virgin Mobile likes to do. We can’t wait to see him blow the audience away,” said Nathan Rosenberg, Chief Marketing Officer, Virgin Mobile Canada.

Revered Los Angeles punk band X returns to Toronto after a 20-year hiatus from Canada. Featuring the original line-up of John Doe, Exene Cervenka, Billy Zoom and dummer DJ Bonebrake, the band has two of its albums listed on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Danish duo The Raveonettes hit NXNE on tour in support of their October release In and Out of Control. The band’s blend of ghostly vocals, spacey guitar, and noise has earned praise from Blender, Rolling Stone and Q Magazine since their first album was released in 2001.

Grammy award-winning Long Island trio De La Soul brings NXNE a shot of vintage hip hop and jazz rap. Mudhoney, considered the pioneers of Seattle grunge, play the festival and speak as part of the NXNE Conference Village. Incendiary art-rock quintet Les Savy Fav arrive from New York; and Alabama sci-fi surf rockers Man or Astroman’s crazy live show will leave crowds buzzing.

Also joining the line-up are Stereogum “band to watch” synthpop group Cold Cave and supercharged Vancouver duo Japandroids, whose music NME described as “a virtual tempest of joyous abandon.”

Rolling Stone’s Hype monitor alerted the world to Florida’s Surfer Blood, calling their April 2010 debut album “giant-sized choruses, festooned in glitter and lit up with neon.” They're booked for NXNE, as is electro-rap Kanye protégé Kid Sister. San Diego’s surf-punk phenom Wavves tour as a three-piece and are also on this year’s bill.

Breakout psychobilly San Francisco quartet Thee Oh Sees make their NXNE debut playing “tunes only a soulless vampire couldn’t enjoy.” Juno award-winning Canadian rockers Sloan return to the festival this year.

To read about more artists just announced for NXNE 2010 go to www.nxne.com. Stay tuned this month for ongoing music announcements.

About NXNE 16 Years, 650 Bands, 50 Stages, 40 Films, 15 Conference Sessions, 7 Days. The NXNE festival experience takes over Toronto with the best new bands and international headliners, screenings of dynamic music films, compelling conference village sessions, rock n' roll keynotes and insights from the most forward-thinking interactive media innovators, and a charity soccer match. This year's festival runs from June 14-20, 2010. Visit NXNE online at www.nxne.com.

About Virgin Mobile Canada
The Virgin Mobile group of companies has attracted more than 14 million customers worldwide. As the No.1 mobile youth network, Virgin Mobile Canada's mission is to be Canada’s most loved mobile company with the hottest phones and plans on the hottest network. Virgin Mobile Members also get access to the hottest events, global roaming and the best customer service.

Virgin Mobile phones are available at more than 4,000 locations nationally and can also be purchased online at www.virginmobile.ca or by calling 1-888-999-2321. Get personal with Virgin Mobile Canada on Facebook at facebook.com/virginmobilecan and Twitter at twitter.com/virginmobilecan.