The Sled Island Music and Arts Festival has announced its first addition of 2018 artists. The festival features the best in music, comedy, film and art in more than 35 venues across Calgary, Alberta every June. The latest artists announced are just a few of the 250 plus bands that will play the festival from June 20-24.

Sled Island’s first wave of 2018 artists includes indie pop group Dirty Projectors, pop artist John Maus, previous Sled Island artists Mount Eerie, Grouper and Lido Pimienta. Also included is Wye Oak, Cherry Glazerr, Shabazz Palaces, Tyondai Braxton, Guerilla Toss, Eucademix and Lithics. These were all picks by guest curator Deerhoof who will be making more selections in the coming months.

The guest curator position was created for each year’s selected curator to add their ideas and influence to the festival by selecting artists they feel will best fit the event. Other bands joining the lineup include Ufomamut, Slow, Synkro, 40 Watt Sun featuring Patrick Walker of Warning, The Body, Oren Ambarchi & Will Guthrie, Wand, and Bat Fangs.

Sled Island has been providing thoughtful and diverse art with an independent approach to create a festival experience you cannot miss. Since 2007 it has been the go-to event for art, film and music with over 30,000 people having attended and more than 35 venues involved. Previous lineups have included artists such as Flying Lotus, Converge, Guided by Voices, Rocket From the Crypt and Built to Spill.

Sled Island’s complete 2018 lineup, including additional headliners, 230 more bands as well as comedy, film, visual art, special events and conference programming will be announced in the coming months.

Sled Island passes grant access to all Sled Island 2018 shows (subject to capacity) and are currently available at SledIsland.com. A limited number of single tickets to select Sled Island 2018 shows will go on sale this Friday, February 16 at noon MDT at SledIsland.com.