Sled Island

First of all, huge thanks to all of the bands, artists, filmmakers, comedians, partners, supporters, venues, media, volunteers, technicians, staff, board members and attendees for creating such an amazing festival. Everyone contributes in some way and none of this would be possible without that overwhelming amount of support, dedication and passion so strongly on display during the festival.

Sled Island 2014 was full of awesome moments starting from the sweet poster show and rad kick-off party on Tuesday. Wednesday began with a stunning performance from Rhye in a packed church and lead into an insanely awesome set from Power Trip, William Tyler delivering swift beauty in guitar-form and Jerusalem In My Heart’s awe-inspiring show to complete their residency at National Music Centre. Thursday kicked things up a notch with Mission of Burma being the best dudes and killing it, Chelsea Wolfe’s moody and moving set, Oneohtrix Point Never transforming Central United into a spaceship, Killer Mike taking us all to church and let’s not forget the mega-turnout for the East Village Block Party. The festival found its wings on Friday with Dan Deacon turning the legion into a fun house, Screaming Females obliterated the 510 parking lot, Helms Alee blowing away the crowd and our festival hero, Joel Plaskett Emergency saving the day with two shows at Olympic Plaza and Flames Central. Saturday kept the momentum alive with Touche Amore’s all-ages afternoon show, the always awesome Weird Canada showcase, Obits owning the Legion, a wild n’ rowdy crowd for Bass Drum of Death, St. Vincent tapping into an other worldly energy, The Spits ripping it up, Rocket From The Crypt bringing the big sound and Spiritualized taking us all away plus the fireworks to cap it off! For anyone able to rise on Sunday, they were treated to a delicious feast and gathering at the wrap-up pig roast party. 

It was certainly a festival to remember. What were your favourite memories? Favourite discovery of the festival? How are your dealing with the post-fest blues? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and use the #sledisland, #sled2014 and for those extra special moments #nobodyrainsonourparade hashtags to stay connected. Relive the memories of Sled Island on the festival’s extensive Flickr photostream up now. Keep your eyes peeled for a Sled Island 2014 recap video featuring this guy to come out later this summer!

Stay tuned for upcoming show announcements and our post-fest survey. We’ll have plenty of exciting stuff to come in the next while. Also, if you haven’t already now is the perfect time to order one of our limited-edition silkscreen posters or 2014 merchandise made by Jack Bride. Thanks again for all of your wonderful support and we look forward to hosting the next edition of Sled Island in 2015 with you!

With all our hearts,
Sled Island

Good morning to all our Sled Island warriors! After 4 days of sledding, you're surely exhausted. Last night in particular was a monster! Spiritualized was life-affirming on the Olympic Plaza stage, Obits stepped in at Guest Curator Kathleen Hanna's showcase and ripped it up, legendary punk icon Bob Mould delivered at Republik with the help of scuzzy Solids, The Spits spat their bratty jams, AraabMuzik and Tommy Kruise had Hifi turnt up, Earthless crushed the stoner jams at Dickens, Bass Drum of Death played another fuzz-pop party and St. Vincent took us to another universe with her alien pop!  

It's hard to believe things are coming to an end, but alas it's the last official day of Sled Island 2014 and we're going to celebrate this awesome ride! Join us for our annual Panache Pig Roast Wrap-Up Party featuring performances from ethereal songstress Julianna Barwick, experimental soul-pop of U.S. Girls, left-field psych-rockers Outer Minds, surf-garage tunes of La Luz and the always (even on Sunday night) energetic, The Blind Shake plus free pig roast sandwiches n' slaw while quantities last. It's a great chance to catch these bands for the first, second or third time this week and chill with friends on a laid-back Sunday afternoon. And if you're out to conquer this year's festival in glorious style, there's no better place than on stage at Broken City's Wrap-Up Karaoke running from 9pm until late! Other cool stuff happening today includes a double feature of The Selected Works of Emily Kai Bock & Evan Prosofsky and The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T at the Globe Cinema this afternoon, ParkSALE at Haultain Park and free collection tours at National Music Centre every hour on the half hour! Don't miss out on your last day of offical Sled Island fun, and remember to keep on keepin' on.

Check the online schedule for any last-minute changes. Don't forget to use our Mobile Version for access on the go.

Show us you're still alive by using the hashtags #SledIsland, #Sled2014, #GetYourSledOn or for those moments of triumph, #NobodyRainsOnOurParade!

We do welcome walk-ups at shows but as always, it is subject to capacity. Remember, none of this would be possible without your support! <3

We can't talk about last night without mentioning Joel Plaskett. Canada's sweetheart saved the day when Neko Case cancelled on the day of the show. He fulfilled the hopes of everyone who had waited more than a year for his sweet serenade. Thanks Joel, you're our hero! Elsewhere, Sled Island continued with Dan Deacon getting weird at the #1 Legion, Public Animal annihilating the Ship & Anchor, the Burger Records blow-out and DJ Bob Mould got Punk Rock Fancy with the Hot Mess crowd.

Don't you quit on us yet! This ain't over by a long shot. Olympic Plaza day 2 is what's on everyone's lips with the headlining set from the incomparable father of space-rock, Spiritualized! The outdoor stage isn't lacking in talent in support acts; Rocket From The Crypt who party-rock a little harder have an extended set while Minneapolis garage gurus The Blind Shake, furious punks White Lung, Portland surf-rockers The Shivas and local thinky-pop act Feel Alright provide hit after hit. Today is your last chance to enjoy a beer in the pit at Olympic Plaza so don't miss out! Stay hydrated while you party with our water-filling stations, no plastic water bottles will be sold on site.

One other perfect All Ages, daytime pick is Touché Amoré, who storm the #1 Legion mid-afternoon. When the sun sets, things heat up even further. Get some vintage pop with Shannon and the Clams at The Palomino or an encore from hook-laden garage-rockers Bass Drum of Death! Another icon to take the stage is Bob Mould of Hüsker Dü and rock legend in general at Republik, where he is joined by scholars of his method, Solids. St. Vincent has fully realized her alien pop identity and is usually playing rooms twice the size of Flames Central. There is no question that you'll have to line up early for this one! The heavy and the trippy converge in Earthless and The Shrine's takeover of Dickens. Kathleen Hanna, whose role as Guest Curator proved vital to the tone of Sled Island 2014, has each one of her band picks play the #1 Legion with Sled vets Obits stepping in as headliner to play expert post-punk. Again, get there or early or you could lose out!

Find an excuse to experience art, film, comedy or something special! National comedic talent is represented by Pat Thornton, Amanda Brooke Perrin, Kathleen Phillips and guests at Big Secret Theatre, multi-media exploratory artwork is on display at Phantom Figures at Truck U-Haul, youth culture's origins and significant are examined by thoughful doc Teenage and PARKSale has unique items for purchase in the open air.

We're just scratching the surface here. Check the online schedule to get up-to-date set times and don't forget to use our Mobile Version for access on the go.

Whatever you get up to at Sled Island today, we want to hear about it! We're watching out for #NobodyRainsOnOurParade, #SledIsland, #Sled2014 and #GetYourSledOn on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

If you're trying to see everything listed above, it's going to be impossible without a pass. There's still time to purchase and/or pick up yours at The Fairmont Palliser, located at 133 9th Ave SW. Merch and posters are on site too! Hours are 10am to 10pm.

With over 250 bands, art exhibits, comedians, films and special events at Sled Island, there will inevitably some shuffling around. We've assembled a run down of schedule changes, up to date as of the time of this post. Stay tuned for additional updates on our Mobile Version where you can build your own schedule!

SATURDAY, JUNE 21

#1 Legion: the line-up has shifted slightly. It is now:
Downstairs: Sontag (10pm), The Younger Lovers (11pm), Screaming Females (12am), Obits (1am)
Upstairs: The Yeah Dads (10:30pm), Roman Polanski’s Baby (11:30pm), Mindtroll (12:30am)
Bamboo: The TBA is now Black Thunder
Broken City: Nervous Talk has been replaced by Dead Soft
Haultain Park: Youssou Seck (4pm), Cold Water (5pm), Jon McKiel (6pm)
Palomino upstairs: Stepmothers are now on at 8:30pm and storc are now on at 9:30pm
Tubby Dog: Hand Cream has been replaced by Bitter Fictions

SUNDAY, JUNE 22

Haultain Park: Zen Mystery Fogg (1pm), SAVK (2pm), Cowpuncher (3pm)
Sloth Records in-store show is now cancelled.

VISUAL ART CHANGES:

Pussy Whipped is now Friday, June 20th at 7pm
Take A Look @ U has been postponed until late September
There Is Much I Wish To Know has been postponed until late September
Hey Jerk Face. SUP? is now at the Peanut Gallery, 207 8th St SW (basement of Fluevog). Closing reception August 1st.
Summer Friends Gang has been moved to Saturday at 7pm at The Palomino.

ADDITIONAL COMEDY INFORMATION

Walk-up tickets will be sold at Big Secret Theatre in very limited quantities for $35. Get there early--this goes for passholders too! Full lineups are below, with headliners listed first.

Friday Early Show, Starting at 8pm: Kyle Kinane, Hari Kondabolu, Jon Daly and Cyrus Ghahremani, Brittany Lyseng with Host Alan Cho.
Friday Late Show, Starting at 1030pm: Pat Thornton, Amanda Brooke Perrin, Kathleen Phillips, Don Wood, Jeff Toth and Host Brent Constantine.

Saturday Early Show, Starting at 8pm: Kyle Kinane, Hari Kondabolu, Jon Daly and Cyrus Ghahremani, Sarah Adams and Host Brent Constantine.
Saturday Late Show, Starting at 1030pm: Pat Thornton, Amanda Brooke Perrin, Kathleen Phillips, Craig Martell, Alan Cho and Host Jeff Toth.

Sled Island regretfully announces that Neko Case has cancelled her Sled Island appearance due to circumstances beyond the festival's control. All Neko Case ticket holders will receive a full refund.

However, tonight's show at Olympic Plaza will go on as a free event open to the general public with special guest headliner and Canadian National treasure, Joel Plaskett Emergency. The show is open to all-ages, on a fully licensed site featuring Big Rock Beer and food trucks. The updated schedule for tonight is:

Joel Plaskett Emergency (9:30)
Blitzen Trapper (8:30)
Bry Webb (7:30)

Thank you all for your patience. Whilst we are incredibly disappointed by the cancellation, we are confident that Sled Island 2014 will continue to be a magical festival experience fueled by incredible musical talent and enthusiastic music fans that live in and flock to Calgary every year.

For those who purchased their tickets online, your refund will be automatically processed in the coming days.
For those who purchased at a retail outlet, refunds will be available starting Friday, June 27th.

Nobody Rains On Our Parade,
The Sled Island Team

Last night, Rhye wowed us with balladry, Operators delivered on their rising reputation, double-header The Fresh & Onlys and Bass Drum of Death ripped the #1 Legion a new one, minds were expanded by Jerusalem In My Heart, Power Trip pummeled Dickens and that's just the music! The weird and wonderful were showcased by Radioheaded 2 and Waiting For Ambassador X while fans geeked out over record store doc Last Shop Standing. The final result? A classic and diverse start to the festival.

Rain can't stop The East Village Block Party this time! We know Calgarians can take it. Hifi has curated some serious talent for this one. Locals Kline and Beach Season start things off at 3pm, followed by dark Vancouver bass producer Project Pablo and the men who need no introduction, Smalltown DJs. International headliners come in the way of Portland's live-electro goddess Natasha Kmeto and LuckyMe label mates Jacques Greene and Cashmere Cat who have taken the world by storm. Cool down from the dancing and enjoy the good vibes of Big Rock's beer gardens, Market Collective's artisan wares and tasty treats from your fave food trucks! It all happens on the beautiful East Village RiverWalk and may well prove to the party of the year.

If you want to keep raving, move along to the FREQ presented show at The Hifi Club where Cashmere Cat and Jacques Greene get an encore. All danced out? The quintessential post-punk legends Mission of Burma headline a Beatroute-presented show at the #1 Legion with a huge roster including one of the most talked about acts around, Victoria's classic punk revivalists Fountain. Across the street at The Palomino, synth-happy indie pop gang Royal Canoe is going to pack the house. Things get even more interesting when FFWD presents hip-hop edutainer Killer Mike with Montreal's deconstructed R&B showman Black Atlass. Elsewhere, a dose of dark is up for grabs at Commonwealth where the goth-tinged chameleon Chelsea Wolfe makes her Calgary debut, CITR & Discorder present ragin' Vancouver punks White Lung at Dickens with LA psychedelic violence trio The Shrine and then there's The Fresh & Onlys, who you know will fill The Golden Age Club. All Ages awesome award of the evening goes to the digital-meets-alien drone of Oneohtrix Point Never at Central United Church!

Sled Island isn't just about music. We have a vast spectrum of arts for you to enjoy! I Dream of Wires, the doc on modular synth and the culture surrounding it is screening in conjuction with Beakerhead at Glenbow Museum - ConocPhillips Theatre. Guest Curator Kathleen Hanna's show In Light of It takes place at Contemporary Calgary marking her first time putting together an art exhibit. Take a look into the unique life of Killer Mike when he gives an intimate artist talk at Beat Drop, who present the show. Thursday is the first night to feature comedy! Enjoy a wild Night Out with Jeff D'Silva.

Stay tuned to the online schedule for the most current set times and take the Mobile Version with you.

We have our ears to the ground and eyes on the screen; have your say using #EVBP, #GetYourSledOn, #Sled2014 and #SledIsland across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Try #NobodyRainsOnOurParade for those special triumphant moments!

If you think you missed your chance to get the full Sled Island experience with a pass, you couldn't be more wrong. We're doubling down on the action for Friday through Sunday! They are still online and available at Pass Pickup at The Fairmont Palliser (133 9th Ave SW) where you can also find our merch for 2014. Our hours are 10am-10pm today, tomorrow and Saturday. See you on the streets!

Boo-yah! Thanks for coming and kicking Sled Island off right. Commonwealth was alive with the spitfire rhymes of Ayoo Angie, the ire of The Slabs and more! Too bad The Shivas couldn't make it but they have now made it to Calgary and will be playing all other scheduled shows! Elsewhere, the 8th Annual Poster Show had its grand opening at Forbidden where dazzling designs were admired. If you thought last night was a party, you'll be drooling over what's on the agenda for today!

It's here! It's finally here! Sled Island makes a triumphant return with the official opening night of our 8th festival edition. The big start to the evening is smooth R&B duo Rhye headlining Central United Church for its return as a marquee, All-Ages venue at Sled Island. Later on, we're expecting packed houses for garage rockers The Fresh & Onlys and Bass Drum of Death at The #1 Legion, Dan Boeckner's (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs) latest industrial dance project Operators at Republik, Kingston shredders PS I Love You at Broken City, Chicago post-punks Disappears at Commonwealth and thrash-punks Power Trip at Dickens. Hey under-agers! We've got some other AA shows running later; William Tyler brings modern ingenuity to traditonal music at The Ironwood while Jerusalem In My Heart melts minds at National Music Centre. Don't miss them! Get your fix of fruits and veggies for the week at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Market from 3 to 8pm today. Wednesday also marks the launch of the stellar film program with a screening of Last Shop Standing co-presented by Sloth Records. Get your evening started at the opening for two of our trippiest art shows, Waiting For Ambassador X and Zoloft Garden at the #1 Legion starting around 7pm. 

Check the online schedule to get up-to-date set times and build your own schedule. Don't forget to use our Mobile Version for access on the go.

Keep up on and participate in all the Sled Island action! Follow us on Facebook, @sledisland on Twitter and Instagram. If you want your posts to get out there, use #SledIsland, #Sled2014, #GetYourSledOn or for those moments of triumph, #NobodyRainsOnOurParade!

Make sure you have your wristband before heading out! Pass Pickup happens at The Fairmont Palliser (133 9th Ave SW), 10am to 10pm with passes and merch on sale there and at the shop. We do welcome walk-ups at shows but as always, it is subject to capacity. It's offically time to #GetYourSledOn! 

While the official start to Sled Island isn't until tomorrow, we're getting the party started early! It's been a long time coming and we're ready to wild out. Read on for every-thing you need to know about the Sled Island sneak peek.

Tonight's marquee event is the Kick-Off Party presented by Nudie Jeans featuring the surfy garage of Portland's The Shivas headlining upstairs and local freakazoids The Slabs handling the basement. The bill is rounded out by The Mandates, Slow Down, Molasses, 36?, Witchstone, Ayoo Angie (replacing Young Braised) and Tigerwing. Wild Rose Soul Club are on DJ duties with spins to keep you dancing all night. One more thing you should know about this event is that Nudie and Leo are hosting a pretty rad contest. Check out the details. Wanna get started even earlier? SO WHAT hits the New Gallery +15 Window Space starting at 6pm. More art is on offer with a Sled Island tradition: The 8th Annual Poster Show! We're unveiling the designs of local artists for some of our most exciting headlining acts at Forbidden, located at 1209 1st Street SW. Running in conjuction is St(ILL) Life Show, which exhibits works ranging from oil paintings to commercial illustration. For thrill seekers, try a special edition of Punk Rock Bingo at the Ship & Anchor! If you're making your way around on two wheels, the only sure way to have fun is to stay safe. Read up and be responsible on the roads!

Check the online schedule to get up-to-date set times and build your own schedule. Don't forget to use our Mobile Version for access on the go.

Keep up on and participate in all the Sled Island action! Follow us on Facebook, @sledisland on Twitter and Instagram. If you want your posts to get out there, use #SledIsland, #Sled2014, #GetYourSledOn and for those moments of triumph, #NobodyRainsOnOurParade!

Make sure you have your wristband before rolling up! Pass Pickup happens at The Fairmont Palliser (133 9th Ave SW), 10am to 10pm with passes and merch on sale there and at the shop. We do welcome walk-ups at shows but as always, it is subject to capacity. Let's kick this thing off right!

Sled Island is thrilled to reveal our 2014 festival merchandise, designed by talented local artist Jack Bride! Jack is no stranger to the festival and we couldn't be happier to present his work which will be featured on shirts, tanks and totes. Here's what he had to say about the illustration:

"Here, we have The Mysteries of Night Life and Summer Solstice Magic coming through the Digital Universe as New Energies Invade our City with the Reality Altering Mediums of Music. Music as Archetype, Music as Magic, Music as Humankind's First Contact with the Hidden Spirits."

Merchandise that is pre-ordered online can be retrieved during Pass Pickup at the Fairmont Palliser from June 14-21. Any deliveries will be made after June 22nd.

Visit merchandise stands at Olympic Plaza, the East Village Block Party and at Pass Pickup throughout the festival. Make sure to place an order before they're all gone!

In addition to this year's apparel and for the first time, we will be releasing a limited edition Sled Island Compilation Tape! The tape features sweet tracks by bands that we think you should pay attention to during the festival. The SoundCloud playlist is now live, but see that you grip one at the Nudie Jeans Presents Sled Island Kick-Off Party at Commonwealth on Tuesday, June 17th.

Another year of Sled Island, another exciting round of All Ages shows! With the festival only two weeks away, it's a great time to explore the options you get with an All Ages Pass, now on sale online and at the office, Sloth and Lukes Drug Mart.

Nearly 80 bands ranging from headliners like post hardcore institution Touché Amoré, luxury trap act Cashmere Cat, mind-expanding artistes Oneohtrix Point Never and Julianna Barwick and guest curator Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre) picks Roman Polanski's Baby and Younger Lovers to local youngsters The Basement Demons and Beach Season and Calgary music royalty Bitter Fictions and Kris Ellestad! Not to mention Sled's largest attraction, two jam-packed days at Olympic Plaza starring Spiritualized, Neko Case, Rocket From the Crypt, Blitzen Trapper and more. At $50, an All Ages Pass is actually cheaper than admission to both days!

The sensaional music lineup is just the beginning! With a total of over 40 events across more than 15 venues, you can't miss our other programming. Every film screening at Sled Island is open to all ages and includes Kathleen Hanna doc The Punk Singer, examination of adolescence Teenage and much more. Visual Arts are also primarily unrestricted to those under age, with most "18 and over" openings open to all ages at later dates. Special events include among many things, an artist talk by Killer Mike at Beat Drop and the Polaris Music Prize long list announcement.

We're now rolling out another easy way to get familiar with the bands playing All Ages shows! Sled Island's All Ages Compilation is now live and available here! You can also head over to the lineup page and filter All Ages Option to see it all on one page.

We can't wait to see all our under age buds! Keep up with everything on the All Ages page and get ready for the time of your life!

The wait is almost over to pick up your pass for Sled Island 2014! Once again, we are setting up shop at the historic Fairmont Palliser, located at 133 9th Ave SW. We'll be open for business on the following dates and times...

• Saturday, June 14th to Tuesday, June 17th from 10am to 6pm
• Wednesday, June 18th to Saturday, June 21st from 10am to 10pm

Sled Island offers a variety of pass options to explore and discover the immense lineup of music and arts. The Festival Discovery Pass provides access to all shows subject to venue capacity during the festival. A Festival Discovery Plus Pass provides all the same benefits with skip-the-line priority access (subject to capacity) and some other special perks! An All-Ages Pass is the way to go for anyone under 18, it includes both days at Olympic Plaza, Touché Amoré at The Legion, our entire film lineup and more.

Festival passes and our soon-to-be-unveiled merchandise will be available at the Pass Pickup starting on June 15th at 10am! In the meantime festival passes are on sale now at the shop, order yours today!