SPILL FESTIVAL REVIEW: CALGARY FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026 – DAY 2 @ PRINCE’S ISLAND PARK, CALGARY (AB)

CALGARY FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026 – DAY 2

@ PRINCE’S ISLAND PARK, CALGARY (AB)

JULY 24, 2026

The second day of the 47th Calgary Folk Music Festival at Prince’s Island Park was just as good as the first and yet again provided people with an unforgettable day of amazing music!

The first band I saw was Canadian indie folk group The East Pointers at the ATB Main Stage. The East Pointers put on one heck of an energetic and upbeat show that had many people dancing with their dazzling, fast-paced, and fun jigs. There were also some very touching moments, like the heartfelt tribute to their late bandmate, Koady Chaisson, with the song “Anniversary.” The East Pointers’ sound was a perfect mixture of East Coast Celtic music with pop, roots, indie, and folk. Jake Charron and Tim Chaisson were excellent on the various instruments they played and were also incredible storytellers. Some highlights from their set were “Wintergreen,” “Misty Morning,” and “Maritime Moonshine” (Charron brought out the tin whistle for this tune).

After The East Pointers’ set finished, I went over to National Stage 4 to catch a bit of the Berlin-based Japanese folk-fusion band Mitsune’s set. Firstly, all the members of Mitsune had amazing costumes that looked terrific. Each band member was excellent on their respective instruments. One thing that really stands out is their use of the Japanese instrument Tsugaru shamisen, which sounds very cool live. With their hypnotically riveting combination of centuries-old Japanese folk traditions and music with punk, jazz, psychedelic, folk, and rock, Mitsune created an explosively immersive sound that had everyone’s eyes glued to the stage in amazement. I really enjoyed hearing several of the songs from their album Hazama.

Next, I went back over to the ATB Main Stage to see American indie pop musician SYML (the solo project of Brian Fennell). SYML’s exquisite set was full of raw emotion and vulnerability. Although his sound was quite sad, it was also deeply comforting. His voice was stunningly delicate; meanwhile, his piano playing was hauntingly beautiful. I highly recommend seeing SYML live to hear his voice firsthand; it is truly extraordinary. Standout songs from SYML’s set include “Where’s My Love,” “Girl” (a song he wrote as an ode to his daughter Josephine, who experienced and overcame some serious health challenges), “Heartbreakdown,” and a fantastic cover of Billie Eilish’s “When The Party’s Over.”

Once SYML’s set was over, Canadian singer and songwriter Goldie Boutilier took to the stage. Boutilier’s electrifyingly entertaining set was full of irresistible pop choruses, thrilling hard-rocking guitar riffs, and powerfully magnetic vocals. Boutilier owned the stage with her magnificent stage presence, most notably with her constant banter between songs and encouraging people to sing along to the songs. Additionally, her all-female backing band were outstanding, delivering some gritty classic rock energy. “Snake Eyes,” “Pretending,” “The Angel And The Saint,” “Body Heat,” and “PARTY” were some standout songs from Boutilier’s set.

The last band I saw was Canadian rock band Daniel Romano’s Outfit, who rocked the night away with a relentless high-intensity set at the National Stage 4. Daniel Romano’s Outfit seamlessly transitioned through songs at a blazing speed. There was very little downtime during the performance, as the band delivered nonstop garage-punk tunes all night. Daniel Romano’s Outfit setlist was full of bangers with kickass, scorching guitar riffs, loud, anthemic choruses, a fierce punk swagger, thunderously frantic drumming, and rich power pop vocal harmonies. If you want to experience a rock show that goes hard from beginning to end, then I recommend seeing Daniel Romano’s Outfit. “Firebreather,” “Autopoiet,” “Unseeable Root,” “Harmless,” “All Of Thee Above,” “Even Temper,” and “Boy In A Crow-Skin Cape,” were some of the best songs from their set.

Overall, day two of the 2026 Calgary Folk Music Festival was a highly memorable evening of terrific music.

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