SPILL FESTIVAL REVIEW: SLED ISLAND MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL: ILLUMINATI HOTTIES w/ THEE SOREHEADS, CIRCLING GIRL & SUB // CELL @ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION NO. 1 BRANCH, CALGARY (AB)

SLED ISLAND MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL: ILLUMINATI HOTTIES w/ THEE SOREHEADS, CIRCLING GIRL & SUB // CELL

@ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION NO. 1 BRANCH, CALGARY (AB)

JUNE 18, 2026

Sled Island Music & Arts Festival is in full swing here in Calgary. The annual festival, which runs from June 17-21 this year, features an incredible lineup of musical acts (over 200+ bands are performing at the festival this year), comedy, special events, and conference panels across multiple venues and locations throughout Calgary. On day two of the festival, I went over to the Royal Canadian Legion No. 1 Branch (Main Floor) to catch the bands performing that day. Sub // Cell, circling girl, Thee Soreheads, and illuminati hotties all delivered incredible sets.

Sub // Cell, a post-punk garage band from Calgary, opened the night up. Consisting of members from other Calgary-based bands such as Cheer, Lushings, Parisian Orgy, and Window Lamp, this local “supergroup” provided some great hard-rocking songs with heavy, fuzzy guitar riffs, enticing melodic hooks, captivating vocals, and an atmospheric sound. “Starglass” was one of the standout songs from their set, especially the guitar solos and the chorus, which sounded great live.

Following Sub // Cell was circling girl, an indie rock and dream pop band from Denver, Colorado. It was a special night for circling girl because this was their first-ever show outside of Denver. Their set was full of catchy songs with beautifully lush harmonies, hypnotically dreamy melodies, amazing vocals, and a stunningly melancholic sound. One of the highlights of their set was “Marionette,” particularly the earworm chorus and gorgeous vocals. I loved this song and will definitely be playing it nonstop for the next while.

Montréal-based feminist punk band Thee Soreheads were up next. With thunderously hard-hitting guitar riffs, fierce drumming, heavy bass lines, and confrontational lyrics that explore themes of consent, misogyny, and identity, Thee Soreheads’ set was a chaotically explosive burst of energy from start to finish. The main highlight from the set is the anthemic garage rocker “No Means No,” a song about creepy men in bars (or any location for that matter) not taking no for an answer. Loads of people in the audience were moshing and singing along to the chorus of this tune.

Sarah Tudzin’s musical project, illuminati hotties were the last band of the night. Self-described by Tudzin as having a “tenderpunk” sound (which is the perfect way to describe the band), illuminati hotties crushed it, with everyone in the crowd having a very enjoyable time, whether they were dancing, chanting choruses, or just vibing to the music. With infectiously upbeat sing-along choruses, an exuberant, joyful energy, Tudzin’s magnetic vocals, a fun, quirky pop-punk sound, and some truly awesome headbanging guitar riffs, illuminati hotties delivered banger song after banger song. There was not a single dud on the setlist. All the songs were performed perfectly. Some of the biggest highlights from the set include “You’re Better (Than Ever),” “content//bedtime,” “777,” “MMMOOOAAAAAYAYA,” and “Pool Hopping.”

Overall, it was a fun night with tons of outstanding music at the Royal Canadian Legion No. 1 Branch (Main Floor). This was my first-ever time experiencing a Sled Island show, and I am certain I will be going to many more shows in the future.

illuminati hotties Links

The Soreheads Links

Circling Girl Links

Sub // Cell Links

Festival Links