SPILL NEWS: SLED ISLAND MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE OF 2026 ARTISTS

SLED ISLAND MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE OF 2026 ARTISTS

FESTIVAL RUNS JUNE 17 TO 21, 2026

Calgary’s Sled Island Music & Arts Festival unveils the first wave of artists playing the 2026 edition of the event, running June 17 – 21. The annual festival presents a thoughtfully chosen lineup of music, comedy, art and conference programming in multiple venues across Calgary, Alberta, each June. The artists announced today, ranging from celebrated icons to contemporary innovators, represent just a small sample of the 200+ bands that will perform at this year’s festival.

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.

Sled Island passes 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.

SLED ISLAND 2026 PASSES

Discovery Pass ($235): Our first recommendation for anyone wanting the full Sled Island experience! Access to all Sled Island events (music, comedy, art and conferencing), subject to capacity.

Discovery Plus Pass ($380): The ultimate Sled Island experience! Priority access (subject to capacity) to all Sled Island events (music, comedy, art and conferencing), artist lounge access, a Sled Island 2026 t-shirt, tote bag, limited edition screen-printed poster and more!

All-Ages Pass ($40): Exclusively for attendees under 18 years of age! Gain access to all events open to minors for only $40.

Sled Island Festival Dates

June 17-21 – Various Venues

Festival Links