There is a wiki site dedicated to the How I Met Your Mother episode stating that “nothing good happens after 2am“. But  I found out first hand, that from June 14th – June 20th, there could be an exception to that rule, but only on three conditions. (1) 650 bands are rocking out across 50 venues (2) said bars are open until 4am for the NXNE music + film + interactive festival in Toronto and (3) numerous open bar events ramping up to the Much Music Video Awards the same weekend!

Speaking to my first two points- what is NXNE  you ask? The North by Northeast week features both an interactive conference, documentary film festival, and musical acts-calling all hipsters to the patios. Bands such as the Hot Hot Heat, Young Galaxy, Iggy Pop, The Ravonettes, and the Japandroids were just some of the highlights from the numerous musical acts.

And if NXNE wasn’t enough sensory overload, the week ended with a cool BLOCK party (no, not the band) or as the organizers called it, the ‘MMVA pre-party’ hosted at 3 ‘secret’ venues all within one city BLOCK. The party started at the UMBRA concept store, then the Queen Live Market, and ended at Upper Lavish (above the boutique Lavish and Squalor). Each venue featured its own DJs, musical acts, gifting installations, and open bar. Recognizable faces at the event were numerous cast members from Degrassi and the musicians from Down with Webster, The Ravonettes and Sweet Thing.

So, all in all, the week was hot, noisy, and (mostly) enjoyable chaos well into the early hours of the morning. So to all you music lovers…goodnight! And sometimes, fun things can happen after 2, wait 4am. Until next weekend!