M for Mikey wraps NXNE with a second report on Toronto's mega music festival, wherein he witnesses the second coming, feeds poutine to rappers, checks some buzz bands, spills uncomfortable secrets and gets followed home by a lady with a craving for candy.

The best part about NXNE, Toronto's answer to Austin's SXSW, is that the city’s crack-smoking mayor allows bars and venues to close @ 4 a.m. during festivals, meaning more bands, more afterparties, more spending and more blackouts. Let's just say the drug business is booming. Smart...

The U.K. saxophonist's tool kit of circular breathing, multiphonics and feedback were expansions on what early African-American free jazz and British free improvisers had already developed, but his particular explorations and aesthetic are unique to him. He is always challenging himself with the unfamiliar, and in so doing has extended the range of the saxophone.

New tracks and videos by five local (or honourary Montreal) bands.

Chvrches are the latest biggest thing out of Scotland. They're playing le National tomorrow night, and you should probably go.

Congrats, shoutouts and handshakes to the 514 rappers, producers, club DJs and electronic acts who came out on top in Cult MTL’s first-ever hyper-local readers poll. PLUS what's up at Francofolies, the MURAL Festival, the Main's street sale & more.

Ahead of today's unveiling of the Polaris Music Prize long list at the PHI Centre, we chatted with the award’s founder, Steve Jordan, about staying stable in a constantly changing music biz, as well as Feist’s controversial win last year.

With a new EP, a new LP on the way, one less band member and way more beats, this is the new Braids. Photos by Cindy Lopez.

Mile End's Suoni per il Popolo music festival runs into its stellar second week, complete with a Shalabi cameo. But there's tons of competition.

Awesome Tapes From Africa, aka mp3 blogger Brian Shimkovitz, DJs at Casa tomorrow night as part of the Suoni per il Popolo festival. Read about how he turned ethnomusicology into an online sensation and a record label.

These GP-branded events have been carefully selected either to truly entertain you, show a little love to local businesses and artists who deserve it, or maybe even do all three. One way or the other, these parties should get you well away from the fake tits and grey dicks.

Brace yourself for 2.5 weeks of musical freedom and sonic excellence at the Suoni per il Popolo festival, beginning tomorrow. See tips for the festival's first week plus a breakdown of new records by Acid Mothers Temple and Montreal's own UBT.