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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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