Bestival Cheat Sheet: Hometown Heroes

Toronto’s talent goes full force on the Island this weekend.

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Even on the worst day, Toronto Island is a nice place to hang out. Hop on the ferry, and feel the clean, pristine harbour mist anointing your face. Maybe you’ll rent a quadracycle, or if you’re feeling particularly bold, you might consider visiting Hanlan’s Point, Toronto’s premiere destination for nude sunbathing and kiteboarding.

On June 12th and 13th, there’s even more impetus for you to escape the downtown core. Bestival Toronto takes over the Island this weekend, featuring headlining sets by Florence + The Machine, Nas, Flume, Jamie xx, and Caribou, with support from all your favourite alt/electro/indie/indefinable darlings.

The two-day event is an off-shoot of the long-running U.K. institution, but Bestival Toronto programmers made sure hometown talent is well-represented on the bill. In addition to well-established acts like Keys N Krates, Owen Pallett, and Born Ruffians, there’s a bevy of local emerging artists showcasing at Bestival this weekend.

An abundance of Toronto-bred talent is just one more reason to visit Bestival this weekend. If you haven’t picked up tickets yet, get on it. Here are 7 buzzing hometown heroes you can’t miss at Bestival this weekend.

1. River Tiber

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Friday @ 1:00PM (Main Stage)

Toronto’s own River Tiber (a.k.a. Tommy Paxton-Beesley) has had a hell of a year so far. After a stint at RBMA’s Bass Camp in Montreal, the 24-year-old multi-instrumentalist/vocalist/producer was featured on Drake’s “No Tellin’,” by way of fellow 6-side producer Frank Dukes sampling the vocals on Tommy's song “No Talk.” River Tiber is a new breed of producer, recording his own organic instrumentation and vocals, and weaving them seamlessly into a melange of synths, twisted samples, and blurry beats. His set at Bestival will be one of the first times Tommy showcases his multifaceted approach on a major stage, making for an ideal way to kick off the weekend.

2. Pusher

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3. Alessia Cara

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Friday @ 5:45PM (Main Stage)

18-year-old alt-R&B songstress Alessia Cara is an elusive chanteuse, but not in the Mariah Carey sense. On her breakout single “Here,” the Brampton-born singer/songwriter waxes introspective, wishing she was at home alone instead of suffering through a miserable house party. A brief 15-minute set on Bestival’s main stage might be a little overwhelming for the self-described “antisocial pessimist,” but it should be a fitting introduction. When you hear her voice, you’ll know why Def Jam scooped her up early.

4. HRMXNY

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Friday @ 6:00PM (Perrier Greenhouse)

This Toronto club scene staple blends deep-house and hip-hop, weaving samples in an out of hypnotic swaths of radiating synth work. Born Chris De Minico, HRMXNY can turn a party into an out-of-body experience with just one EQ sweep.

5. Harrison

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6. Kill Them With Colour

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7. Rainer + Grimm

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