ECLECTIC SELECTION
Diverse array of performers coming to Stampede
It should surprise no one that the musical flavour of the Calgary Stampede is on the twangy side.
This year is no exception. In fact, unlike in past years, there’s no token non-country concerts at the Saddledome for the 2018 festivities, with country superstars Brad Paisley (Friday, July 13) and Luke Bryan (Saturday, July 14) being the only acts scheduled to bring their star power to the ’Dome.
The Nashville North stage will offer non-stop twang throughout the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, and this year will feature such leading lights as Gord Bamford (July 5), Meghan Patrick (July 7), The Road Hammers (July 10) and The Washboard Union (July 12.)
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler will even be in cowboy mode, playing country music at Cowboy’s Music Festival (July 11) with his Loving Mary Band.
But when it comes to music at the Stampede, 2018 is hardly a onenote affair.
Here’s a sampling of some of the music that will be on offer in the city during the 10 days of the Calgary Stampede.
COCA-COLA STAGE
At one time, the Stampede’s Coca-Cola Stage seemed to focus largely on the CanCon contingent, offering either up-and-comers or acts that were a little past their prime. But in recent years, the lineups have seemed to become more eclectic and charged with star power.
In 2018, it will include Sheryl Crow (July 11), a nine-time Grammy winner who has sold more than 50-million records.
Among the more off-the-wall acts include: Too Many Zooz (July 14), former subway buskers whose YouTube video went viral before they made a splash backing Beyonce and the Dixie Chicks at the 2016 Country Music Awards; Toronto indie darlings Broken Social Scene (July 7) will perform without talented Calgary native Leslie Feist, but with talented Calgary native Lisa Lobsinger; Canadian post-hardcore band Alexisonfire (July 5) will be on hand, as will indie folk favourites The Rural Alberta Advantage (July 9). More mainstream acts include Our Lady Peace (July 10) and pop-punkers Billy Talent (July 15).
Visit: calgarystampede.com
COWBOYS MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Cowboys tent has been a reliably raucous venue for eclectic music off the grounds.
Other than the aforementioned and countrified Steven Tyler (July 11), acts include Norwegian DJ KYGO (July 8), country bands Old Dominion (July 10) and Lanco (July 11) and Nashville singersongwriter Kip Moore (July 12).
Veteran country popsters Big & Rich will headline Bootstompin’ at the Cowboys tent on July 13, raising money for Zero Hungry Kids.
Visit: cowboysmusicfestival.com
THE BIG FOUR ROADHOUSE
The Stampede’s newest venue features a July 8 extravaganza featuring Blue Rodeo and some of Canada’s finest country-tinged acts (Colter Wall, Lindi Ortega, Whitehorse and Mike Plume.)
Other acts include CanCon mainstays Sloan (July 9), former Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page (July 10), 54-40 (July 12), and 1980s popsters Platinum Blonde (July 11).
Visit: calgarystampede.com
THE BELL LIVE SERIES AT THE KING EDDY
Speaking of nostalgia, Calgary’s National Music Centre will reopen the King Eddy for another round of Stampede revelry with its Bell Live Series. This year, the acts include The Abrams (July 7), Tim Hus (July 8) and Ken Stead (July 10).
Visit: nmc.ca for a full lineup.
ROUNDUP MUSICFEST
The first of two corporate shindigs will feature a ‘trip down memory lane’ lineup at Shaw Millennium Park on July 11. San Francisco alt-rockers Train will headline, with support from the Goo Goo Dolls, the Wallflowers and Grapes of Wrath.
Visit: roundupmusicfest.com.
OXFORD STOMP
Anyone who witnessed John Fogerty’s raucous Stampede set in 2011 as part of the Stampede Roundup in Fort Calgary knows the man is more than capable of rocking a corporate party. He’ll headline this year’s Oxford Stomp, which will be held at Shaw Millennium Park on July 13. The former Creedence Clearwater Revival leader will be joined by Melissa Etheridge, the Skydiggers and Barney Bentall.
Visit: oxfordstomp.com.