Sled Island Music & Arts Festival 2023 has revealed their first wave of artists, which takes place on June 21 – 25 in Calgary, Alberta. The artists announced today, ranging from highly acclaimed performers to exciting new acts, represent just a small sample of the 200+ bands that will perform at this year’s festival.

Joining Sled Island’s previously announced 2023 guest curator, Bartees Strange, are garage rock stalwerts Osees, Chicago indie rockers DEHD, Latin folk innovator Helado Negro (selected by Bartees Strange), Toronto’s viral hip-hop sensation Akintoye, gothic folk artist Emma Ruth Rundle (playing a solo piano set at Central United Church), Philadelphia-based punk rock revolutionaries Mannequin Pussy, alternative R&B/hip-hop artist Amindi, Toronto-based rapper and 2019 Polaris Music Prize winner Haviah Mighty, and many more to be announced.

Also included in the first wave lineup is post-metal supergroup SUMAC, progressive black metal outfit Liturgy, experimental electro-pop duo Water From Your Eyes, bossa nova-infused psych-folk artist Sessa (formerly of Yonatan Gat), Brooklyn-based garage rock trio THICK, Montreal electronic punk duo Pelada, ambient metal trio BIG|BRAVE, genre-bending death metal three-piece Suffering Hour, and self-proclaimed “pow wow punk rockers” 1876.

Each year, Sled Island’s guest curator helps to shape the festival’s programming. Bartees Strange’s previously mentioned selection, Helado Negro, is rounded out by an incredible collection of talent, including grunge-meets-indie group Pom Pom Squad, soulful singer-songwriter KAINA, Japanese jazz rap artist and saxophonist Sen Morimoto, math rock-inspired emo outfit Gulfer, acclaimed avant-garde rapper Maassai, and more still to be announced.

Sled Island’s complete 2023 lineup will be announced in the coming months, including additional headliners, over 150 more bands as well as comedy, film, visual art, special events and conference programming.

Sled Island passes are currently on sale at SledIsland.com, and Lukes Drug Mart (112 4th St. NE). Today is the final day to save 20% on select Sled Island passes. Regular prices go into effect tomorrow, February 1, 2023 at 12:00am MST.