SLED @ THE SHIP: KUE VARO & THE ONLY HOPES – MOX JET – SAMANTHA SAVAGE SMITH – HEAVEN FOR REAL

8:00PM: @heavenforreal Toronto, ON / Halifax, NS
Like a brooding Vampire Weekend, Heaven for Real’s light-hearted, jumpy string work gives way to heavy distortion, almost glitchy guitar work, and an intentionally undertoned synth melody. With softly crooned vocals harkening back to the indie sleaze of the early aughts, this is groovy noise for those who want to dance all night.

9:00PM: @samsavsmith Calgary, AB
Beloved singer-songwriter Samantha Savage Smith’s critically acclaimed album Fake Nice still sounds as fun, fresh and sprightly as it when it came out in 2022. Even so, Savage Smith is back with an exciting new track. “EGGS All In” featuring fellow Sled 2024 artist Tea Fannie is a total rework of a Fake Nice song that shows a new dimension to both performers.

10:00PM: @m0xjet Edmonton, AB
Newly forged in the cold Alberta hinterlands, darkwave indie rock duo Mox Jet hit all the highs that ‘80s goth and post-punk is capable of. Glistening icy synths are married with dreamy vocals, squalls of shoegaze-y guitars and drum machines that harken back in time when this two-piece plays Sled Island for the first time.

11:00PM: @kuevaro Calgary, AB
Ever since Calgary music scene veteran Kue Varo assembled The Only Hopes posse in 2022, she’s been brewing up a potent concoction of psychedelic rock with a Western flavour. Debut album Cowboy Witchcraft is a whirling storm of bluesy rock and gothic ballads that are certain to put a spell on you.

No Cover – *Priority Entrance with @sledisland wristbands