SPILL FESTIVAL FEATURE: NXNE 2026 – SPILL MAGAZINE PRESENTS 5 QUESTIONS

AKEEM OH | NOISE HOTEL | CHARLIE NOIR | LAILA | TROYMAN | PHANTOM HIGH | WILLEM JAMES COWAN | WILD REMEDY | FÉLIXE

ARTIST NAME: AKEEM OH

1. What’s your favourite thing about a festival like NXNE?

NXNE brings this sort of energy to Toronto that no other music showcase really captures. It’s June, people want to be out discovering new music, and there’s this excitement around finding your next favourite artist before everyone else does. I also love how mixed the lineups are! You can catch a completely unknown band and then see someone legendary all in the same night. It makes the city feel alive. Toronto in June is all about Pride, GoWest and of course, NXNE! It’s an exciting month.

2. What should we expect from your live show?

My shows are always about connection more than anything. I want people to feel like they’re stepping into a world for a second… something emotional, nostalgic, loud, vulnerable, chaotic, whatever the song needs. Sonically it moves between indie pop, synths, softer moments, and bigger explosive ones, but at the core of it, I just want people to leave feeling something real.

3. Tell us something we probably don’t know about your band.

Even though I play with a full band live these days, the project is mostly solo behind the scenes. I produce a lot of my music myself and play most of the instruments too. I’ve always loved the DIY side of making records because it lets me fully express myself through every sound and detail. A lot of the songs start with me alone in my apartment obsessing over tiny production choices for way too long.

4. If you could write the soundtrack for any existing film (from any decade) which film would you choose and what would the songs sound like?

I’d probably pick a film like Her, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, or Before Sunset. I love movies that completely reshape storytelling and use music in a really emotional, intimate way. I think the soundtrack would sound nostalgic and dreamy, but still raw — lots of reverb, blown-out acoustic guitars, moog synth textures, and songs that feel romantic but a little existential at the same time.

5. Would you rather open for Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen, and why?

Neil Young all the way. I’m from Northern Ontario, and his music genuinely takes me home. I remember hearing him constantly on the radio growing up. One of the defining moments for me as a kid getting into music was my brother-in-law Sol talking to me about Neil Young’s songwriting and guitar playing while driving me home from a family gathering. That conversation really opened my ears to how expressive and human music could sound. People usually focus on two or three of his records, but he has incredible albums across every decade. To me, he’s one of the most prolific artists ever. Live at Massey Hall is my Nebraska.

ARTIST NAME: NOISE HOTEL

1. What’s your favourite thing about a festival like NXNE?

We are Noise Hotel, a performing artist at NXNE this year! We were excited to hear about the “5 Questions” feature in Spill Magazine and thought we would submit our answers! Below are our five answers and attached to this email is a photo with the required dimensions.

2. What should we expect from your live show?

We deliver high-energy sets with tons of audience participation, and plenty of stage banter. Valued guests should always expect to enjoy their stays when they check into the Noise Hotel.

3. Tell us something we probably don’t know about your band.

Sometimes we do shows under fake names so people don’t think that we’re playing too much in the same city. Don’t tell anyone.

4. If you could write the soundtrack for any existing film (from any decade) which film would you choose and what would the songs sound like?

We would write the soundtrack for the 1974 Charles Bronson action movie Mr. Majestyk. The songs would sound like Led Zeppelin writing an album of elevator music.

5. Would you rather open for Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen, and why?

Definitely Neil Young. Don’t get us wrong, we love The Boss, but Neil Young was in The Last Waltz. If we ever had the chance, we’d play an obscure Neil Young tune and hope he didn’t play it in his set too.

ARTIST NAME: CHARLIE NOIR

1. What’s your favourite thing about a festival like NXNE?

Probably the energy. Everyone’s there because they genuinely love discovering music, so you end up meeting people who connect with the songs instantly. It also dope to be surrounded by so many artists all doing completely different things in the same space.

2. What should we expect from your live show?

A lot of emotion, a lot of energy, and hopefully a moment where everyone feels connected as part of the same thing.

3. Tell us something we probably don’t know about your band.

On stage I might come off like I’m the life of the party but actually I’m really introverted but performing lets me bring out that wild extroverted side.

4. If you could write the soundtrack for any existing film (from any decade) which film would you choose and what would the songs sound like?

I’d probably choose a film like Lost in Translation or something equally atmospheric and emotionally understated. The soundtrack would be dreamy, cinematic, and nostalgic — lots of ambient textures, late-night guitar tones, and songs that feel both intimate and expansive at the same time.

5. Would you rather open for Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen, and why?

That’s almost impossible to choose, but probably Bruce Springsteen. There’s something incredible about the connection he creates with a crowd, and being part of that kind of live energy would be unforgettable.

ARTIST NAME: LAILA

1. What’s your favourite thing about a festival like NXNE?

I love that NXNE is right at the start of the summer and right when Toronto is coming back to life. With everything going on in the world right now, what we need more than anything is to be in person, in the same room, connecting with each other. And that’s exactly what NXNE does through music.

2. What should we expect from your live show?

I’ve spent the last two years working really hard to make my live show dynamic and special. I think one of my strengths as an artist is that I realize seeing music live is a completely different experience than listening to it at home. And my goal is to do that experience justice. I want to connect with my audience and make them dance AND cry. For this show, I’ll have dancers, singalongs, and you’ll have to come to see what else 😉 Performing live is one of my favourite things in the world, and I want the audience to share in that joy. No one is leaving that room asking “who was that girl??”. I want them to remember me and the energy I brought.

3. Tell us something we probably don’t know about your band.

Something you probably wouldn’t know about me (as a solo artist) is that I partially grew up in Dublin, Ireland!! I lived there for both kindergartens and Grade 1. I moved around a lot as a kid, and it shaped my identity in a significant way. I always struggled to answer the question of where my hometown is, so music became my real home.

4. If you could write the soundtrack for any existing film (from any decade) which film would you choose and what would the songs sound like?

I would write the soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet. I love that film so much. I’d want two distinct sounds that really contrast with each other: one for the small, internal moments, and one for the big dramatic ones. The quieter songs would be diary-entry style, slightly folk-inspired pop (think Carol Ades, Griff, Holly Humberstone). The grander moments would lean into classic cinematic territory, rooted in orchestral and string arrangements. Seeing as the film takes a romantic tragedy and drops it into a hyper-modern world, the music should carry that same dichotomy: intimate and emotional, and classic/ dramatic.

5. Would you rather open for Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen, and why?

Oo. Both icons. Definitely Bruce Springsteen. “I’m on Fire” is one of my favourite songs ever.

ARTIST NAME: TROYMAN

1. What’s your favourite thing about a festival like NXNE?

Networking and performing.

2. What should we expect from your live show?

Energetic, high energy and fun.

3. Tell us something we probably don’t know about your band.

I don’t have a band lol but one thing most people don’t know about me is that I produce a lot of my music and that I started out in a group when I was young.

4. If you could write the soundtrack for any existing film (from any decade) which film would you choose and what would the songs sound like?

Love Jones. The songs would be a Neo-soul and hip-hop fusion.

5. Would you rather open for Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen, and why?

Bruce Springsteen of course lol. The way Bruce commands the crowd and stage to this day, his energy is unmatched.

ARTIST NAME: PHANTOM HIGH

1. What’s your favourite thing about a festival like NXNE?

I think my favourite part about NXNE, is that it’s one of the very few things in the modern era of entertainment celebrating the culture around underground music.

2. What should we expect from your live show?

High energy, conviction and theatrics. We are essentially a flaming car wreck. LOL

3. Tell us something we probably don’t know about your band.

We were formerly Lestat’s touring band! Haha, hmmm but seriously, there’s likely a lot of surprises with us, you’ll just have to keep watching. 😉

4. If you could write the soundtrack for any existing film (from any decade) which film would you choose and what would the songs sound like?

If only there was a movie that combined the plot of 80’s Red Dawn, The Exorcist and The Crying Game… well  wait….

5. Would you rather open for Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen, and why?

I think we would we would clear the venue out opening for either of those guys, LMAO!

But if there was some way to amalgamate the branding on that bill, either of those guys are absolute legends, but in 2026, as much as we love what Bruce is doing with his podium, we’d go with Neil because CANADA BABY!!

ARTIST NAME: WILLEM JAMES COWAN

1. What’s your favourite thing about a festival like NXNE?

I love being a part of a festival that focuses on emerging artists. We have a wealth of talent in Canada and it’s great that there are still festivals that exist largely to showcase that. I always try my best to get out to a couple shows while I’m there. I’ve been lucky to have been a part of NXNE for the past number of years, and they’ve always been good to me!

2. What should we expect from your live show?

Catchy, self-reflective, lyric driven folk-rock, I guess? I try my best to break down the barrier between me and the audience. I want to invite people in to the songs as much as possible. What I lack in grandeur, I’d like to say I make up for in sincerity and vulnerability. I’ll have my band for these showcases, and they really help bring my songs to life. I’m also going to play one continuous note for 35 minutes.

3. Tell us something we probably don’t know about your band.

You probably hardly know anything about me. I could probably tell you anything and you’d believe me. I’ve never watched the Olympics—does that count? No hate to the Olympics, it seems very fun.

4. If you could write the soundtrack for any existing film (from any decade) which film would you choose and what would the songs sound like?

I don’t know nearly enough movies to answer this question well but I think I could do a good job with the soundtrack of one of the new seasons of Love Island. I like those funny little songs with the super specific lyrics. Who is getting paid to make those? Sign me up.

5. Would you rather open for Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen, and why?

Neil Young 10 times out of 10. I quite like Bruce Springsteen but I’m a much bigger Neil Young fan and I think our music would blend well together. I like what he stands up for, too. He cares about injustice and isn’t afraid to make a stink about it, which is more than can be said about most artists at his level.

ARTIST NAME: WILD REMEDY

1. What’s your favourite thing about a festival like NXNE?

A top highlight for any festival is getting to meet and connect with other artists. Especially with a festival like NXNE, there’s such a wide variety of genres and sounds; it feels like every artist is serving a unique audience— and we want to listen in!

2. What should we expect from your live show?

You know the feeling you’d get listening to your iPod while staring out a car window on a summer road trip? That— with more 3-part harmonies and mandolin solos.

3. Tell us something we probably don’t know about your band.

We got the idea of starting a band through playing D&D together. Honestly, I think that sense of adventure still drives our music (and it’s also how we came up with our band name)! ~Shay

4. If you could write the soundtrack for any existing film (from any decade) which film would you choose and what would the songs sound like?

Likely a Studio Ghibli movie. We’re all huge fans and feel as though our folksy sound would fit well with the storytelling and adventure. (Plus one of our band cats, Jiji, is named after a character from one of the movies!)

5. Would you rather open for Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen, and why?

Both are great options but I would have to say Bruce Springsteen. Shay and I grew up listening to his music (thanks dad!) and his music inspired me to start writing my own music. I love how his writing is both catchy but also impactful. Springsteen is an artist who balances bringing good times but also bringing awareness to the world around us. He inspires us as a band to push boundaries with our storytelling and showing our humanity in our art.

ARTIST NAME: FÉLIXE

1. What’s your favourite thing about a festival like NXNE?

Getting to discover great bands in real life instead of through an algorithm. There’s something special about stumbling into a set with no expectations and walking away with a new favourite artist.

2. What should we expect from your live show?

Expect a loud and emotional, and unpredictable show. The songs move between vulnerability and chaos, with moments that can feel intimate one minute and completely unhinged the next. Backed by an incredible band, I try to create a space where tension, humour, noise, and tenderness can coexist. If you’re into the emotional honesty of Big Thief and the raw energy of Slow Pulp, you’ll probably find something to connect with.

3. Tell us something we probably don’t know about your band.

We might be one of the only bands performing primarily in French at NXNE this year. Coming from Montréal, it feels special to bring our language and corner of the music scene to a festival with artists from all over the world.

4. If you could write the soundtrack for any existing film (from any decade) which film would you choose and what would the songs sound like?

Definitely Matilda. It’s a story about feeling like an alien in your own family and eventually finding the people who truly see you. I’d love to build a soundtrack that shifts between dreamy, polished post-rock textures and louder, more chaotic songs inspired by hardcore and noise rock. Something tender and hopeful underneath, but with enough tension to reflect how confusing it can be to grow up feeling out of place.

5. Would you rather open for Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen, and why?

Tough question, but I’d probably choose Bruce Springsteen.

Not necessarily because of the arena-sized shows, but because of Nebraska. I’ve always loved the fact that some of those songs started as intimate four-track cassette demos recorded alone in his bedroom. There’s something really inspiring about music that can feel that raw and personal while still connecting with so many people. That record is a reminder that a great song doesn’t need much more than honesty.

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