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
3. Alessia Cara
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.