NXNE is just around the corner (June 11-17), and Toronto is about to get very busy with people running to different venues to catch some of their favorite acts. In addition to the official festival events, there's plenty of others going on across the city next week as well. The best part? Lots of them are free. So, because gratis is always good, here's a roundup of 15 of these shows/events to check out during NXNE.

June 9 & June 10 / NXNE Park Jam & Record Swap/ Bellevue Park
If you have any vinyl that you're willing to trade, then check out this record swap today. Make sure to stick around to listen to funk band The Soul Motivators. Kops Records will be putting together some in-store events throughout the week as well, so check out the Facebook event page here.

Wednesday, June 13 / Of a Kind & Static Zine / Of A Kind / 1037 College
Of A Kind is a newish vintage clothing and vinyl record shop on College Street. They'll be kicking off the week with Static Zine by having The Dead Ships, Mean Tangerine and other artists come in to play some of their tunes.

June 14 - June 17 / Various shows at Yonge-Dundas Square / All-Ages
The line-up has been nothing but spectacular at Yonge and Dundas for the past couple of years, and yet this year's line-up may just surpass them all. Key artists include The Flaming Lips, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah, Bad Religion, Portugal. The Man and more! Get there early so you don't end up having to watch the show from across the street or climb a tree to get a clear view.

June 14 - June 17 / Live In Bellwoods: Great Heart Festival 2012 / Trinity Bellwoods Park / All-Ages
This event marks the one-year anniversary since the launch of the Young Lions Music Club. Held in Trinity Bellwoods Park, shows run from Wednesday - Saturday and admission is free. Key artists include Julie Doiron, Dwayne Gretzky, Army Girls and more! Check out the line-up that YLMC and Humble Empire have curated for this year's Live In Bellwood's event.

Thursday, June 14 / Steam Whistle Presents...Audio Blood & Bonsound's Rooftop Riot / 435 Spadina / 19+
The crew at Audio Blood states promise this year's event is going to be bigger and better than last year's. There will be performances by The Balconies, Sandman Viper and Command. If you're feeling ballsy, there will be $3.00 haircuts and tattoos, too. The catch is if you want to get in for free is that you must tweet #ABDOESNXNE.

Thursday, June 14 / Jansport Presents Smith Westerns Dusted / Artscape Gibraltar Point / RSVP / 19+
Back for their third year, this time with headliner the Smith Westerns. Guests can enjoy the sounds of this Chicago band at Artscape Gibraltar Point situated on the Toronto Islands. RSVP on the site to get in for but keep in mind that entrance is subject to capacity.

Thursday, June 14 / NXNE Showcase presented by Analogue Gallery & Slapback Media / RSVP / 19+
Analogue Gallery will transform from a photography gallery to a venue filled with live music and food on Thursday. There will be musical performances by Jane's Party, Honheehonhee, Topanga and more. Neighbouring Murray's Sandwich Emporium will be catering for the event. To be admitted into the event for free you have to RSVP by Monday, June 11 and to do so click 'join' on the Facebook event page (linked above).

Thursday June 14 / NXNE Day Party at The Horseshoe Tavern / RSVP / 19+
If you have the day off then start off your Thursday by listening to some Ontario and New York bands at the legendary Shoe. Admittance is free but make sure to RSVP here.

Saturday, June 16 / Sonic Boom / All-Ages
One of the go-to's for free in-store events is holding yet another spectacular event at their Bathurst and Bloor location. Confirmed bands include Parlovr, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Rikers and the Dirty Mags. They'll have some heavyweight artists come in on either Friday or Saturday but the line-up is still pending. Entry is free but it is recommended that you donate a non-perishable food item and there will be limited silk-screen posters available. Stay up to date with any announcements by joining the Sonic Boom Facebook group.

Saturday, June 16 / She Does The City and Audio Blood Presents
Halifax's Ben Caplan will be the host for this in-store event at vintage shop Model Citizen. Artists from Toronto, Australia and Halifax will be performing at the store. Check out the Facebook event (above) for more details.

Saturday, June 16 / 20 Bands + At 218 Brock Ave. / All-Ages
20 bands will be putting on ten-minute sets all within a span of eight hours. This jam-packed day cannot be missed. Artists include Loom, Luke Lalonde (of Born Ruffians), Doldrums and the line-up keeps on getting better.

Saturday, June 16 / OTMZine, Songs & Cigarettes and Vintage Pop-Up / Poretta Lane
A handful of Toronto's vintage clothing shops will be congregating in Poretta Lane to bring you some of the best selections in Toronto. Shops include Pretty Freedom, Tabula Rasa and more. While you're bustling from shop to shop, Songs & Cigarettes will be DJing in the background.

Saturday, June 16 / Slapback's NXNE Rooftop Party / 25 Kensington (2nd floor) / RSVP/ 19+
Kick back and listen to some sweet tunes on a rooftop in Kensington market. The day starts off at 1:30 p.m. and so far there are five bands lined up. To get in for free RSVP to info@slapbackmedia.com by Wednesday, June 13 or click attending on the Facebook event.

Saturday, June 16 & Sunday, June 17 / Of A Kind Presents... / 1037 College17 bands will be filling up Of A Kind over a span of two days. While you're there this shop will have vintage clothing and vinyl available for sale. The line-up for both days includes Opopo, Chang-a-Lang, Inlet Sound, Papermaps and more. Click on the dates above to see what each day's lineup includes.

Sunday, June 17 / CHARTattack's Pizzapalooza / Studio 407 / 263 Adelaide W / (RSVP)
CHARTattack will be wrapping up the week by throwing a free, unofficial event that will feature tribal-pop band Bravestation, Foxes In Fiction, Mac De Marco and Tops. Grab a nice cold one, some free pizza and wind down while listening to some sensational music. It's guest list only, so RSVP by hitting attending on Facebook or e-mail hello@chartattack.com.

BONUS (PWYC EVENT)

Wednesday, June 13/ Ages & Stages Party with Dinosaur Bones & more / 586 Richmond / PWYC / 19+
There will be an after party following the screening of the documentary "Ages & Stages: The Story of the Meligrove Band". The event will feature live music and the Caplansky's food truck will be making an appearance. Check out Dinosaur Bones, Magneta Lane and a surprise guest at the end of the night you won't want miss out! This event is pay what you can.

Writing by Charissa Tosio