The Over The Top Festival is a work in progress, working hard to continually reinvent itself by incorporating new forms of art and media into the fold. Currently entering its sixth year in Toronto, the festival continues to gain ground, a long ways from its early start in 2002, under the name the Toronto Indie Pop Festival. The name did not fully encompass all genres of artists performing at the festival, nor its ideology, resulting in a change of name in 2003, up to present day, the Over The Top Festival.

It is difficult to sum up the growth of the festival over the years, with many an addendum to be included over time, so in brief, a short time line of the festival and its accomplishments.

2002: Inaugural year under the name the Toronto Indie Pop Festival, featuring acts including: Les Savy Fav, Swearing At Motorists, I Am The World Trade Center & North of America

2003: First year under the name the Over The Top Festival, second year of the festival overall. Six shows were held, including: Jason Lowenstein, Matt Pond PA, +/-, The Chinese Stars & Demolition Doll Rods

2004: Twelve shows took place, making it our most ambitious year to date. Performers included: The Unicorns, K, Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players, Drums & Tuba, Don Caballero, Chromeo, Besnard Lakes, Party of Helicopters and many others.

2005: Similar to 2004, the festival would run twelve shows over the course of four nights. This year marked the first year the festival was able to run as an entirely all ages event, rooting itself as a premiere entertainment event in the city of Toronto. In previous years, many shows would be open to audiences of all ages, this however was the year that enough venues and art spaces were ready for the undertaking.  Performers included: The Books, Fog, Boom Bip, Chad Van Gaalen, Amy Millan, Daughters, Head of Femur, USAisamonster and many others.

2006: One-upping ourselves to thirteen shows, the festival continued to grow and gain ground, firmly establishing itself as a must see event on a national level. With the continued support of the press and growing audiences eager to hear new and interesting music, the year would also mark the first in partnered events with Harbourfront in Toronto, Pop Montreal and the Halifax Pop Explosion. Performers included: Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors, Lovely Feathers, Owen, Kid606, Think About Life, Japanther, Saturday Looks Good To Me & many others.

2007: Taking place May 3-6 this year, the festival is making its first foray into film, theatre and visual art, alongside the live music component. We’re very excited with our latest undertaking, and will be screening films that have yet to be shown in Toronto, ranging in subject matter. Our live theatre component will include modern dance, comedy, performance art and drama under one roof over the course of the festival.