Sled Island

The first wave of Sled Island 2025 artists is here! 

Joining our previously announced guest curator, Otoboke Beaver, is Brooklyn-based R&B Queen Yaya Bey, Canadian synth-pop heroes TOPS, trailblazing Australian psych rock outfit Tropical Fuck Storm, celebrated hip-hop collective Oddisee & Good Compny, Boston slowcore trio Horse Jumper of Love, experimental noise rock group Xiu Xiu, breathtaking ambient harpist Mary Lattimore, and outlandish egg punk band Snõõper.

Also included in the first wave lineup is genre-defiant Chicago drummer Makaya McCraven, Portland-based black metal project Mizmor, Canadian-Filipino experimental rap artist Kimmortal, legendary Indigenous folk rock duo Willie Thrasher & Linda Saddleback, Arabic post-folk group SANAM, and adventurous art rock three-piece Motherhood. 

Each year, Sled Island's guest curator helps to shape the festival's programming. This year, Otoboke Beaver has handpicked an incredible collection of artists, including fabled garage punk group The Mummies, Japanese-American “action comic punk band” Peelander-Z, “gunk pop” trio Black Ends, DIY pop-punk outfit LEMON BOY, Seattle sludge metal three-piece MUÑECA, experimental glockenspiel musician and synth pop artist Glockabelle, Taiwanese indie punks BB BOMB, and more still to be announced.

Rounding out today’s announcement are some very exciting Canadian artists, including acclaimed indie rock group jo passed (returning after a seven-year hiatus), pop-infused indie artist Rae Spoon, electric hip-hop collective K-Riz & The Family, spellbinding electronic duo CHXMERAS, scrappy punk rock foursome Brass Lip, chamber pop project Victrix, thought-provoking hip-hop artist Arlo Maverick, maximalist noise-punk quartet NATLAK, dream pop five-piece Babe Corner, and grrrl gang punk band PERRA.

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We're very excited to announce that Japanese punk rock four-piece Otoboke Beaver will be joining us as guest curator for Sled Island 2025, running June 18 - 22! The group's fast, fierce and sincere approach to punk is met with unmatchable style, quick humour and feminine rage, making them the perfect guest curator for next year's festival. 

PASSES and TICKETS are available now!

Along with guest curator duties, Otoboke Beaver will perform at The Palace Theatre (219 8 Ave SW) on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Sled Island passes grant access to this show (subject to capacity). 

Each year, Sled Island’s guest curator puts their stamp on the festival through special programming choices and their presence at the event. Otoboke Beaver’s curatorial selections will be announced in the coming months, along with 200 additional bands, comedy, visual art and conference programming chosen by the festival in multiple venues across Calgary.

Passes will be available for a limited time at an early bird rate of 20% off. All-ages passes will also be available, giving attendees under the age of 18 access to all events open to minors. 

New this year, payment plans will now be available for purchases of $50 or more! That's right! Now you can buy multiple single show tickets or an early bird pass, and have the option to pay in installments! 
 

Unfamiliar with Otoboke Beaver? Check out one of their KEXP performances for a taste of the raw energy and sheer musicianship they bring to their live shows, which has garnered them heavy praise from renowned artists like Iggy Pop, Tom Morello, Jack White, Dave Grohl and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

Thank you to our sponsors and funders at connectFirst Credit Union, Eighty-Eight Brewing, Dandy Brewing Company, The Beltline BLOX, Calgary Arts Development, The City of Calgary, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, SOCAN Foundation, Structured Abstraction, and the Government of Canada.
 

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Sled Island is a registered charity, and we are dedicated to nurturing the music and arts community, working hard to provide unique, accessible events and artistic opportunities year-round.

With that said, none of this can be accomplished without the generous support of donors! As the holidays approach, we are asking for your help to reach our $30,000 fundraising goal which will be invested into our programming initiatives in 2025!

50% of donations made before the new year will be matched by the government, making your contribution even more impactful!

Show your support by donating at SledIsland.com/Donate!

If you’re unable to donate, you can still help us by bidding on our silent auction items, or by sharing our message with your friends, family and employers.
 

Introducing Bob-Sled! A six-day winter-fest presented by Sled Island, Eighty-Eight and The Palomino!

From January 21 – 26, join us at the Palomino Smokehouse to hear music from Hotline TNT, Ducks Ltd., Ada Lea, Nap Eyes, Fold Paper, Ghostkeeper, WAIT//LESS, Barbara, Alex MacNeil & The Revenants, Tebby & The Heavy, Bennett Mitchell, Witch Victim, Perra, Silvering and more! 

Festival wristbands (now off sale) provide access to all shows for only $88! Individual shows are $22 each.

See the schedule and get individual tickets at the links below!
 

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The Sled Island Rock Lotto returns to the Palomino Smokehouse on Saturday, November 30!

GET TICKETS

Once again, we’ll bring together 25 musicians from various backgrounds and draw names from a hat to form one-off bands for one night only, with less than 10 hours to write and perform new material! ⁠

This one-of-a-kind event is focused on creating meaningful connections between musicians just starting their music journey in the city and artists more familiar with the Calgary music scene, with the goal of fostering a more diverse music ecosystem and increasing equitable access to creative opportunities for all.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. If you would like to attend but ticket prices are a barrier, please contact info@sledisland.com.

Thanks to the Ansari-Cook Foundation for making this event possible! ⁠

Huge shout out to Mike Hooves for the awesome new poster art!