Flaming Lips, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah play free NXNE shows this weekend

Emerging artists will jam alongside major-label mainstays in Toronto this weekend as the massive North by Northeast (NXNE) music festival wraps up.

When the last acts pack up their gear on Sunday, 780 bands will have performed in venues across the city — with films, photo exhibits and comedy shows rounding out the schedule.

What to catch before NXNE ends? Here are some highlights.

FRIDAY

Matthew Good
For almost two decades, Vancouver-based Good has built a solid multi-platinum career, releasing nine studio LPs, three EPs, a live album, and a “best of” collection — both as a solo artist and lead singer for the Matthew Good Band, one of Canada’s most successful alternative rock bands of the ‘90s.
Yonge-Dundas Square, 9:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Plants and Animals
These underground favourites from Montreal have developed from light, classically arranged baroque-pop purists into a full-blown rock and roll group. 
Yonge-Dundas Square, 8:30 p.m. – 9:10 p.m.

Parlovr
A reaction against the multi-instrumental, enormous Montreal orchestral bands, Parlovr grew out of a desire to blow amps, streamline sloppy pop melodies and bring back the power-trio fun of the ‘90s. They’ve earned themselves a spot on this year’s Polaris Prize long list in the process.
Silver Dollar Room, 11 p.m. (Also playing Yonge-Dundas Square on Saturday, 2 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.)

Yamantaka//Sonic Titan
Also on the Polaris Prize long list, this Pitchfork-approved, Asian-Canadian duo fuse Western and Eastern sounds into a yin and yang of hauntingly sweet pop melodies and doom metal atmospherics.
The Garrison, 12 a.m.

SATURDAY

The Flaming Lips
This Oklahoma psychedelic alt-rock band came from humble indie beginnings to achieve commercial success and recognition as one of pop’s most unique groups. Expect an incredible, multimedia live show featuring Wayne Coyne’s signature man-sized, crowd-conquering “Zorb” bubble.
Yonge-Dundas Square, 9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
 
of Montreal
The brainchild of Kevin Barnes, Athens, Ga.-based of Montreal has released 11 albums in its 15-year history. The band’s latest album Paralytic Stalks came out earlier this year and has been called “a sonic masterpiece” and “blindingly brilliant.”
Yonge-Dundas Square, 7 p.m. – 7:40 p.m.

Archers of Loaf
Back on the rock circuit after reuniting last year, the noise-poppers have been playing mostly smaller venues to recreate the raw live experience their fans love.
Phoenix Concert Theatre, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah
It’s been almost two decades since the Wu-Tang Clan revolutionized hip hop with its Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) debut. Core members Ghostface Killah and Raekwon are two of the best MCs in the business.
Yonge-Dundas Square, 9 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Click here for the full NXNE schedule.