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The Sonic Collective: Sled Island Festival Series
Kelly Shaw on Experiencing Sled Island 2026
Darren Scott sits down with his good friend and fellow music lover Kelly Shaw to talk about experiencing Sled Island 2026 together. Kelly joined Darren for four days of shows, helping gather audio, photos and video while discovering artists, venues and sounds from across Calgary.
They talk about the highlights, surprises and unexpected discoveries of the festival, from ambient music in a church to hip hop at The Ship & Anchor, and what happens when you throw your carefully planned festival schedule out the window and simply follow the music.
And there was one performance that affected Kelly so deeply, it brought him to tears.
It's a conversation about music, friendship, discovery and why Sled Island continues to be such a special part of Calgary's music community.Listen now and experience Sled Island through the eyes of two longtime music fans.
Kelly's Word Works
sled island fest
it’s calgary’s best
lifts your awe to the crest
fest director and guest curator
down to be your joy cultivator
every year assures a new pulsator
comedy, art and astounding tunes
lineup so large the schedules in runes
the best time of all your moons
so many bands, shows and venues
beg you forgo your sensible shoes
gotta look cool at united pews
treads and hipster cycles get you around
any direction you’re wonder bound
the community feel will astound
patrons diverse, inclusive, all ages
tribes of all stripes keen for stages
everyone free from their cages
artists and genres across the spectrum
some will blast and some will hum
either way your soul they’ll plumb
so bring your curiosity it’s discovery
enriching your performance art history
sled’s goodness no longer a mystery
sled island fest
it’s calgary’s best
my love confessed
——
SLED FEST BEST
Copyright: Kelly Shaw
Photo Credit: Kelly Shaw - Kelly (Right) and Darren (Left) out Sledding
The theme music for The Sonic Collective is Dust by Les Gigantiques from Calgary. Our thanks to the band for letting us use and feature their music. Be sure to check them out. https://www.instagram.com/lesgigantiques/
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