Sled Island 2025 Preview
Sled Island Preview
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There is one thing that is blocked off in my calendar before the previous year even ends because it is simply an automatic in my world. Everyone in my life knows that near the end of June, I’m going to be driving three hours south on the QE2 to Calgary for the Sled Island Music Festival. This incredible five days of music and more is the pinnacle for what a festival can (and should) be. Continually having to do more with less as the world explodes into unaffordability, somehow the team at Sled manage to blow my mind year after year by digging deep into the world of music nerdery and finding artists they can afford to bring to Alberta that will get the masses stoked. This year, some of the artists that people around me are buzzing about are Tropical Fuck Storm, Xiu Xiu, Oddisee & Good Company, Snõõper, Makaya McCraven, and The Mummies. Because Sled Island does such a good job of having its fingers on the pulse, I have no doubt that anticipation for some of the other international acts is just as high in other demographics (I’m a 40 year old dude). I know from my work in the music journalism realm that Yaya Bay, Zola Jesus, Baths, Mary Lattimore, TOPS, and of course, curators Otoboke Beaver will be at the top of many attendees lists. All that being said, Cups n Cakes is an all-Canadian publication so for this article, our team members are going to focus on the Canadian acts they are excited to see this year. There will be five of us attending the festival and we are so excited to share with you the Canadian acts we will be seeking out this year.
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Pnoom’s 2024 album ENERGY
This is a bonkers Sled for me. My favourite lineup in years. The best schedule for me in years. As long as the Oilers dispatch the kitty cats in six games, I’ll be able to see everything on my list, including the lesser known Canadian acts that have me buzzing with anticipation. Who is it that has me pumped?… Read on and I’ll tell you!
Pnoom are way up on my list ever since discovering their debut album early this year. This Montreal band delivers a sonic assault of noise-rock with post-punk and shoegaze influences. Bring earplugs. Like many, I discovered Willie Thrasher on the Native North American box set and can’t wait to see him and his partner Linda Saddleback bring their Inuvialuit perspective to the festival for the first time in over a decade. Two brand new art-rock/post-punk bands have come on my radar in recent months, Vancouver’s Computer only have two tracks out but they’re bangers and Lethbridge’s NON ULTRAS are a breath of fresh air at a time when post-punk is starting to sound rinse and repeat-like. I’m actually quite upset that Cups N Cakes missed covering Amery’s debut album last year. This Montreal artist is best known for animation and illustrations but this record is my favourite artistic endeavour I’ve seen/heard from her. Summer alt-pop blended with dance that will surely bring the good-time-vibes to the festival. Staying in Montreal, I’m very interested in seeing the frenetic art-punk of Pressure Pin, the art-rock genre salad of SAMWOY, and the jangly folk-psych of The Painters. I’m currently enamoured with all three of those acts and have never seen any of them live. Finally, I do love me some loud music and Edmonton’s schoolyard slapped me upside the head earlier this year with their debut album of noise-rock and, Montreal’s Truck Violence are going to explode brain’s when they bring their crazy brand of hardcore fused with experimental folk. Their debut album is a cacophony of sound punctuated by Karsyn Henderson’s poetic lyricism and lackadaisical vocal delivery. This is one of the shows you may see all five CnC members attend. That’s it for me, can’t wait to see you all there!
- Jeff MacCallum
*****
Gemini Sunrise by Midnight Channel
Calgary’s music scene is buzzing with anticipation as a diverse slate of artists prepares to bring fresh energy and bold sounds next month. Midnight Channel, a surprisingly progressive and engaging jazz outfit from Lethbridge, Alberta, commands attention with intricate compositions and dynamic grooves that challenge expectations. Amy Nelson’s soulful Americana offers heartfelt storytelling rooted in raw emotion and timeless craft, grounding the mix with warmth and authenticity. Devours injects a hyper-pop jolt with dreamy synths and sharp wit, cutting through with a modern, electrifying edge. Thanya Iyer’s future-folk soundscapes unfold with delicate strings, swirling synths, and meditative percussion, creating moments of intimacy and expansive reflection. CHXMERAS pushes into experimental rock with bold riffs and unrelenting intensity, delivering a visceral live energy. TOPS’ dreamy synth-pop layers lush melodies and hazy vibes that wash over you like a nostalgic breeze. Rounding out the lineup are Calgary’s own BRIDGELAND—born from the Sled Island Rock Lotto—who bring punchy post-punk energy and tight-knit performances that capture the city’s underground spirit. With a lineup this dynamic and boundary-pushing, it’s hard not to be counting down the days. Sled Island can’t come soon enough.
- Clay Geddert
*****
Liquid Compactor from Penny & the Pits, due out on June 27th
Once again, Sled Island organizers have created a dream of a lineup, including some sure-to-be delightful picks from around the globe. But along with the bigger international and national names, one of the true delights of Sled Island is the chance for local talent to shine - and as always there’s no shortage of incredible local talent to choose from. One of my most anticipated hometown heroes is (dare-I-say supergroup?) Eye Of Newt. Fresh off their brand new LP Work Perks, their set at Legion on Thursday night promises to be a quirky, art-rocky good time. Can’t make it? Good news - pretty good chance you’ll still see members around in other acts/shows throughout the fest (a fun Sled game is to count the Chris Dadge appearances). If you like to push the boundaries, I recommend local lofi punk experimenters puppet wipes or the grimy ferocity of Cat Piss. Or if that’s not so much your thing then the breezy smooth tones of Bad Bodies are always a wonderful treat. But no matter your vibe, the Calgary scene has something exceptional to offer. A few of my other local must-sees include the punchy post-punk of Stucco, Witch Victim’s gaze-y goodness, and country/psych folkster Bennett Mitchell. It’s a testament to the talent of these acts that even though I can see them throughout the rest of the year, I’ll still prioritize catching them over other visiting performances. Of course the talent doesn’t stop at the municipal boundaries. Edmontonian soul-maestro Aladean Kheroufi has been one of my favorites from Sleds past, so it’s great to have him back. From further afield, I can’t miss New Brunswick art rockers Motherhood who always put on a fantastic show (not too mention the very exciting chance to catch bassist Penolope Steven’s new project Penny & the Pits). One final pick is Montreal’s PYPY who might be very close to the top of my list with their unique and energetic post-punk weirdness - and hopefully I can muster the stamina for vocalist Annie-Claude Deschênes’ solo project to round out the festival as well. These and more are sure to make Sled 2025 another magical time in Calgary, and I truly can’t wait.
- Chris Lammiman
*****
It’s About Time! by future star
I am a late bloomer when it comes to Sled Island. It is in the last couple of years that I started making my way down to Calgary to experience what I’ve come to realize is one of Canada’s most dynamic music festivals. Among the things that I am excited for this year, one of the ones at the top of my mind is the Mint Records’ Showcase. Mint Records has stood out to me as a label that keeps putting out such a diverse and wide range of artists who have such a defined quality to the music they put out. This year’s showcase includes Ribbon Skirt and Cassia Hardy, both of whom have had some major praise coming in for their recent releases. You can rejoice in the queer pop sounds of Future Star and Non La alongside the riot grrrl sounds of Rebel Grrrlz. AND it is a free show, so you legit have no excuse to miss this one. See you in the pit, bb. Besides this showcase, there are a couple of shows that I had locked in because of the touring acts: Tropical Fuck Storm and Xiu Xiu. Each of these shows has unveiled some incredible opening acts of people who I love listening to and supporting. For the Tropical Fuck Storm, for example, I am excited for Sunglaciers and Motherhood. And then for Xiu Xiu, it is stacked with a bunch of incredible electronic artists like KERUB, MORRISMORRIS, and Devours — The curators were so on point for this one. Besides these shows, some other highlights include Stem Champ, PISS, and Emma Goldman — I will unfortunately likely miss Emma Goldman, so if you go, have a bellini at the blockage for me. Let’s go hard.
- Simone Atenea Medina Polo
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The bands I’m most looking forward to seeing this year at Sled are a mix of first timers at the festival and veterans of what is perhaps the finest festival of it’s kind in Western Canada. Avalon Tassonyi is at the fest for the first time, and is one of my must-sees for the weekend; their album Candlelightning from 2023 was one of my favourites that year, and the albums since have seen the Ontario artist raiding the folk and soul section to paint with an ever expanding palette. I’ve been keeping track of Bennett Mitchell since his 2022 album Mouse; I bounced off of the record in some ways, but the first song is one of my favorite songs of the last few years, and I’m excited to see Mitchell on the bill again this year (and, as Chris mentioned, will likely be another opportunity to play ‘spot Chris Dadge’ at the fest). No Sled experience is complete without seeing Sled mainstay and fellow Edmontonian Cassia Hardy. I was at the release show a couple weeks back for her new LP In Relation, and whether Hardy is commanding the stage alone or marshalling a band, she’s equally vulnerable, ferocious, and electrifying to watch. The Painters, on the other hand, are making their debut at the fest (I believe).
Thunder Perfect Mind from New Brunswick’s Motherhood
Aaaaaaaand of course there’s Motherhood, and bassist Penelope Stevens’ new solo project Penny & the Pits. It’s no secret that I love this band; it feels like the music they’re interested in making fits so squarely in my wheelhouse, and whether it’s the Mums themselves or Penny & the Pits, it will be worth seeing. The band almost acts as a bellwether for the rest of the fest; if Motherhood is at Sled in any given year, it’ll be a particularly good year for the fest (and there’ll be six less weeks of winter).
- sn
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To help you plan out your own visit to Calgary for Sled Island, we’ve created a playlist of all the acts mentioned above. Give it a spin, and realize that we wouldn’t steer you wrong. There are some insanely good Canadian acts well worth the price of admission. See you there!
