CKXU at Sled Island 2025: Day 4
I LOVE YARBO
I LOVE YARBO
I LOVE YARBO
Yarbo are an “aggressive rock” band from Saskatoon that I have had the pleasure of seeing a few times now and even playing a few shows with them along the way. So what is “aggressive rock”? As far as I can tell it is some mix of screamo, breakdowns, and some gnarly riffage. This sound is fully realized on their latest album “Husband” which came out just at the end of 2024 and was without a doubt one of the best releases of 2024.
Their gig at the Palomino was presented by CFCR, Saskatoon’s community radio station (sick) and featured a whole smattering of bands from across Saskatchewan. The Garry’s were closing the show, yes The Garry’s. I need everyone right now to listen to Kong Money by Yarbo then throw on The Garry’s. Yeah, that’s a pallet cleanser. Regardless, Yarbo are amazing and you should give them a listen and keep your eyes on their social because these fellas are road dawgs and are probably playing a show near you soon.
Chinese Medicine
This Toronto based punk band has too much fun on stage! The vibes are so high the entire time they are on stage, between the energy their music creates to the hilarious jokes being thrown around by the front woman during breaks in the set; Chinese Medicine is totally infectious. They are a very aware band, with many songs about gender identity, LGBTQ+ rights, and capitalist greed, they channel this energy back into the music however and it creates an immediacy that aligns their message with their sound and creates what I can only assume is the best medicine from China. They were too fun, my favourite kind of band to catch at Sled!
LVL Collective
Ok this is where the night got interesting for me. Context: Braden and I were looking for something to do after not getting into Otoboke Beaver (we were late and probably smelled horrific), I got on the Sled Island guide and found out there was a rave just a few block from where we were staying. This was our introduction to LVL Collective. The three gnarliest DJs Sled could find hailing from Vancouver, celebrating Indigenous Peoples day. Who doesn’t love raving with some social awareness? The tunes were sweet though, lots of experimental bass and half-time feels. I thought it was a perfect end to my Sled Island experience. Where in years past I would be at the big headliner show, this year I dove deeper trying to find something I wouldn’t find again or at least trying to find something like that. This is why LVL Collective were awesome, they delivered on the alternative, they pushed Sled’s boundaries and gave me some bangers to thrash around to one last time.
Sled Island 2025 has been incredible. I would like to thank all the volunteers, bands, audience members for coming together to make something truly unique to Alberta and Canada each year. My favourite festival bar none. On behalf of Kort, Braden, and all of CKXU thank you Sled Island!
Photos by Braden Hood, @spicy__salsa
Words by Jeremy Collier