Sled Island

The full lineup and schedule for Sled Island 2026 has arrived, including over 150 more bands, comedy, special events and conference programming!

New additions include unhinged hyperpop rapper Lil Mariko (in her Canadian debut), LA-based “tenderpunk” four-piece illuminati hotties, emotive and technique-heavy alt-rock group Palehound, Indigenous electronic cello ensemble Cris Derksen Quartet, noisy Midwest slowcore outfit Flooding, infectious Canadian indie rock project Fanclubwallet, mask-wearing thrash punks TEAR DUNGEON, genre-bending post-punk artist J.R.C.G., New Mexico-based pop-punk band Weedrat (headlining the Moments Fest showcase celebrating Indigenous artists), and the final two guest curator selections: experimental musique concrète project Cooling Prongs, and Nigerian‑American pianist Sharon Udoh (who will also be joining clipping. for their highly-anticipated performance at The Palace Theatre on Saturday, June 20).

The festival has also announced an outstanding collection of emerging acts joining this year’s lineup, including award-winning Indigenous hip-hop artist Drezus, Winnipeg indie rock four-piece Virgo Rising, Whitehorse-based “gateway metal” duo FRANKLIN, ambient pedal steel performer Wayne Patrick Garrett, dance-inspired electronic artist Eejungmi, San Francisco experimental pop project Tricky FM, Toronto-based art rockers Kali Horse, high-energy cow-punk ensemble Spank Williams, post-hardcore powerhouse Midnight Peg, operatic post-punk four-piece Shunk, and many, many more.

On top of all the incredible music, the festival will showcase two nights of stand-up comedy with some amazing Canadian talent, including Ben Sosa-Wright, Mikey Dubs, Sophie Haze, Amar Singh, Gabby Rose and host John Cullen. 

This year’s special events include the Opening Party and Poster Show Launch at Sled Village (Haus of SpanicArts - 131 6 Ave), Sled Island Drag Brunch, Quiz Shoe, a multi-media exhibition from Clinton St. John, the annual Wrap-Up Pig Roast, and more.

Lastly, all conference panels will once again take place in the beautiful Central Library on Friday, June 19. The Sled Island Conference is a free, day-long summit where attendees can learn about grant writing, visual content, branding, DIY events, mental health and broadcasting.

Passes and tickets are on sale now. A limited number of day passes and single show tickets to newly announced Sled Island 2026 shows will go on sale this Friday, May 8 at noon MDT.

For more information and to see the full lineup and schedule, visit SledIsland.com.

Thank you to our sponsors and funders at Servus Credit Union, Calgary Downtown Association, Eighty-Eight Brewing, Dandy Brewing Company, The Beltline BLOX, Confluence Distilling, Structured Abstraction, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Alberta Government, Government of Canada, City of Calgary, Calgary Arts Development, FACTOR Canada, Rozsa Foundation, Calgary Hotel Association and SOCAN Foundation.

 

We’ve once again teamed up with OK Social — because the last Sled Social was so much fun!

We’re bringing you a new Sled Social on Wednesday, May 20! A night to reconnect, meet new faces, and get a little taste of what’s coming this June. We’ve got a DJ, snacks, merch and (of course) a free beer from Eighty-Eight and Dandy Brewing when you RSVP at oksocial.ca!

📍 Commonwealth Bar & Stage
🗓 Wednesday, May 20
⏰ 5pm — 9pm
🎟 No cover / RSVP for a free drink

Let’s get warmed up for Sled Island the right way!

Thanks to Chloe Marie Purcell for the amazing poster design and the Rozsa Foundation for their support.

The first wave of Sled Island 2026 artists is here!

Joining Sled Island’s previously announced guest curator, clipping., is English chamber folk ensemble Black Country, New Road, revered Canadian pop project HOMESHAKE, LA synth punks Sextile, fuzzy indie rock outfit feeble little horse, outlandish egg punk group Snõõper, lo-fi post-punk duo Sweeping Promises, NYC-based ambient pioneer Laraaji, and genre-bending dream pop artist Salami Rose Joe Louis (signed to Flying Lotus’ record label, Brainfeeder).  

Also included in the first wave lineup is Nigerien desert rock band Etran de L’Aïr, a new solo project from multidisciplinary artist and Sled Island alum Thor Harris (Swans, Thor & Friends, Ben Frost), acclaimed lo-fi hip-hop artist DijahSB, indie pop singer-songwriter Emily Yacina, blackened death metal trio Suffering Hour, and Montreal slop rock group Tha Retail Simps.

Each year, Sled Island's guest curator helps to shape the festival's programming. This year, clipping. has handpicked an incredible collection of performers, including renowned abstract rapper billy woods (Armand Hammer), horrorcore noise rap artist Backxwash, accomplished experimental sound composer Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe, Calgary hip-hip heroes Cartel Madras (opening for clipping. at The Palace Theatre), Australian free noise musician Granpa (Lucas Abela), gothic industrial artist Lana Del Rabies, and more still to be announced.

Capping off today’s announcement is a selection of outstanding emerging artists, including Denver-based experimental hip-hop group Wheelchair Sports Camp, ambient free jazz saxophonist Jairus Sharif, vehement post-rock outfit Jed Arbour, improvisational art punks Dial Up, conscious Calgary rapper KTheChosen, gritty synth punk four-piece CAT PISS, funky art rock project Pastel Blank, quirky post-punk ensemble Parisian Orgy, riot grrrl up-and-comers Rebel Grrrlz, and weirdo punk-meets-country group bugswallow.

Sled Island’s complete 2026 lineup will be announced in the coming months, including additional headliners, over 150 more bands, as well as comedy, art, special events and conference programming. For now, check out our Sled Island 2026 YouTube playlist!

Sled Island passes and tickets for clipping. with Cartel Madras are currently on sale at SledIsland.com. A limited number of single show tickets to newly announced Sled Island 2026 shows will go on sale Friday, March 6 at noon MST.

For more information and to check out the first wave lineup, visit SledIsland.com.

A huge shout out to Becca Lowe for this year's poster design!

Thank you to our sponsors and funders at Servus Credit Union, Calgary Downtown Association, Eighty-Eight Brewing, Dandy Brewing Company, The Beltline BLOX, Confluence Distilling, Structured Abstraction, Calgary Arts Development, The City of Calgary, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Government of Canada, FACTOR Canada, Rozsa Foundation, Calgary Hotel Association and SOCAN Foundation.