Summer fest rolls out next wave of talent
Swervedriver, Cancer Bats, Ben Frost added to impressive Sled Island acts
The second wave of Sled Island acts has been rolled out and it’s another impressive mix of alternative artists old and new, popular and obscure, and everything in between.
Joining the party, which takes place June 24- 28 at various venues around Calgary, are: U. K. shoegaze legends Swervedriver; rising American electro- pop duo Teengirl Fantasy; Canadian faves the Cancer Bats; Aussie- born, Iceland- based composer and experimental artist Ben Frost; Haligonian indie rockers Cousins; prolific soul, punk and noise man Obnox; local, laughing madcap Astral Swans; giddy, Portland surf band Guantanamo Baywatch; post-metal pair Mamiffer; noisy garage merchants Meat Wave; West Coast ambient performer Loscil; quirky, retro troubadour Juan Wauters; newbie rock sensations Sumac; eight- piece, eclectic, jazz brother band Hypnotic Brass Ensemble; and, reunited Winnipeg mod-poppers Duotang.
Other acts added to the lineup in the second round of names include: Birdstriking, Black Givre, Blonde Elvis, Corinthian, Crosss, The Dories, Dream Whip, Empty Heads, Energy Slime, Faith Healer, Grounders, Homebody, Hush Pup, JOYFULTALK, Low Life, Michael Feuerstack, Monomyth, Moss Lime, Numenorean, Renny Wilson Punk Explosion, Shaani, Cage, Tough Age, TroyBoi, We Hunt Buffalo and The WPP.
All of those acts join already announced musical offerings including Television, Drive Like Jehu, Daniel Lanois, Pissed Jeans, Pentagram, King Tuff and Montreal’s Godspeed You! Black Emperor, who are also the guest curators for this year’s festival.
Festival passes for Sled Island 2015 are currently on sale from sledisland.com, with tickets to some of the individual shows throughout the event going on sale April 17.
This is the ninth year for the annual music, comedy, film and arts festival, which brings to the city more than 250 acts and artists.
For more information, visit sledisland.com.