Annie-Claude Deschênes
On her debut solo album LES MANIÈRES DE TABLE, Annie-Claude Deschênes (also of Duchess Says and Sled Island 2025 group PYPY) provides the soundtrack to a dystopic discotheque. She fearlessly explores the darker side of new wave synth-pop with cinematic flair and imminently catchy grooves. It’s a post-punk aerobics class, and everyone’s invited.

Black Ends
Self-proclaimed gunk-pop group Black Ends deal in ‘90s grunge filtered through 2025’s absurdities. Their debut album Psychotic Spew is all Mellon Collie with a little bit of sadness, layering sugar-sweet melodies over scuzzy-fuzzy punk riffs led by the laconic vocals of Nicolle Swims. This curatorial pick is a sonic shot-in-the-arm that reminds you how vital Seattle always will be.

MUÑECA
The latest heaviness from the shores of Seattle is MUÑECA, a femme-driven sludge rock band that’s more In Utero than Nevermind. With only two singles out right now, they’re one of the freshest curator picks at this year’s festival. Check out “Bambi” for a primer in their lurching punk dirges, often sung in Spanish and delivered at maximum volume.

BB BOMB
Still thrashing harder than ever 20 years after forming, BB BOMB’s aggressive brand of punk rock feels timeless. Their second album, Practice Songs, is currently being released as four nugget-sized EPs of SST-style hardcore, featuring scorching tracks that rarely crack two minutes. Your new favourite band has been hiding in Taiwan all this time!

So Sus
Vancouver-based transfemme artist So Sus has released her music on electronic’s most notable labels, including Monstercat, Deadbeats, Bitbird, Circus, Subsidia, Alter/Ego, and more. With a signature sound at the intersection of deep dub and more freeform bass music, So Sus bridges emotive sonic elements with hard-hitting components for a maximal listening and dancing experience.

Samantha Savage Smith
Hometown hero Samantha Savage Smith is renowned for her singer, songwriter, and musical prowess. Her shimmering pop compositions blend playful lyrics with irresistible hooks and unexpected melodies. Drawing inspiration from Roxy Music, Alice Phoebe Lou, and Karen Dalton, Smith enraptures listeners with her effortless charm and mystical melodies.

Uncanny Valley
A shadowy homage to ‘80s post-punk, Uncanny Valley conjures a soundscape that feels both timeless and otherworldly. Their debut LP Fevering Stare jumps from cold-wave moodiness to goth-pop melodies that stick in the mind and sink into the hips. It’s like The Cure and Tones on Tail merged melody and dissonance together, right here in Calgary.

Dresser
This Montreal trio creates art-rock built on a foundation of well-considered lyricism, drawing inspiration from songwriters like David Berman and Jason Molina. Their introspective songs are laced with overdrive and untethered delivery, evoking hints of post-punk, emo, and krautrock influences. Check out the ‘24 release Fuel for a taste of their eclectic sound.

Pressure Pin
From the deepest recesses of Montreal, Quebec comes a burgeoning art punk act known as Pressure Pin. April 2022 saw the release of their explosively eccentric debut EP Superficial Feature, and the four songs contained within are as strange as they are invigorating, bursting with youthful confidence and frenetic ‘77 punk energy.

About Sled Island:
Sled Island is an annual five-day independent music and arts festival in Calgary, Alberta that brings together a community of music, comedy and art with nearly 30,000 attendees in multiple venues across the city. For more information, visit SledIsland.com.

Upon entering a festival venue, the passholder agrees to being photographed, filmed or recorded in that venue, and agrees to the publication, reproduction, distribution and broadcast of all photographs, video or other recordings of the passholder’s voice or likeness without further notice or compensation in any publicity, advertisement or other publication carried-out by, or on behalf of, Sled Island and in perpetuity in any manner and media whatsoever, including print, broadcast or internet.

Everyone has the right to feel safe and included at Sled Island. All festival attendees must abide by Sled Island’s safer spaces and inclusion policy and agree to the code of conduct, which can be found at SledIsland.com/SaferSpaces.

Sled Island acknowledges Calgary as the traditional territory of the Blackfoot and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Ĩyãħé Nakoda First Nations, including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney First Nations. Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6).