It's that time of year again, when countless bands and other members of the music industry flock to Toronto for NXNE. Although this festival gives Torontonians a great opportunity to check out international acts, there's also a slew of homegrown talent showcasing their skills.

Here are my picks for the top bands from Toronto you shouldn't miss out on.

See also: The top 25 bands to catch at NXNE 2015

Allie (Wednesday, June 17th 10:00pm - 11:00pm, Adelaide Hall)
Charismatic tones entrenched in forward thinking production lend favourably to a throw-back, yet fresh approach to Allie's sound. She's quickly become a master of memerizing an audience into following her meandering soft voice.

Ben Stevenson (Friday, June 19th 2:00am - 2:30am, Rivoli)
This talented singer songwriter straddles the line between many genres. With a soulful backbone, accompanied by versatile production, Ben Stevenson's varied influences become evident during his live performance.

DCF (Friday, June 19th 10:00pm - 10:40pm, Rivoli)
He writes a lot of pop songs... like, a lot of them. Recently picked up by Last Gang Mangement, it's hard not to notice his name associated with events around town. Check DCF's video below covering No Type:

DIANA (Friday June 19th 11:00pm - 11:40pm, Adelaide Hall)
The four-piece Toronto hazy-pop act won over our hearts with the track "Born Again." Reminiscent of your favourite 8tracks summer playlist, DIANA remains on the rise as we anxiously await our next dose of pop-awesomeness.

Fast Romantics (Thursday, June 18th 2:00pm - 2:40pm, NXNE Hub and
Saturday, June 20th 9:00pm - 9:40pm, Horseshoe Tavern)
Fast hooks and furious guitar playing - Fast Romantics will look to win over rooms at this year's festival. Known for high-tempo and great live shows the Toronto group leaves very little to be desired. With two shows scheduled, this is a band not to be missed. Check out their amazing new video for Julia:

Hush Pup (Saturday, June 20th 1:00pm - 1:30pm, The Garrison)
A thousand miles screaming in sweet florescent unison - Ida Maidstone's vocals are the epitome of Dream Pop, populated by reckless composition and utter lyrical bliss. Lose yourself and check Hush Pup while you can !

Jane's Party (Friday, June 19th 10:00pm - 10:40pm, NXNE Hub)
These guys are as smooth as they come, with well thought out, polished instrumentation and catchy hooks throughout. Jane's Party is made up of talented instrumentalists and seasoned performers, quickly becoming a staple of Toronto's indie music scene. Below is a live performance from their Canadian Covers series:

Jazz Cartier (Saturday, June 20th 9:00pm - 10:00pm, Danforth Music Hall)
The newly released 'Marauding In Paradise' mixtape represents a major tipping point for Jazz Cartier. The overarching themes complemented by intricate storytelling and deft production, bring a unique element to the international scene. Critically acclaimed his impact can not be understated.

STACEY (Friday, June 19th 4:00pm - 4:40pm, The Garrison and 8:00pm - 9:00pm, Silver Dollar Room)
Her music is deep and brooding - if you close your eyes and just listen, you might find yourself beside a slowly trickling stream. There's something about STACEY's aura that will put you in a peaceful place.

What did I miss? Add your favourite Toronto bands playing NXNE 2015 in the comments.

Photo of STACEY by Jesse Milns