CKXU at Sled Island 2026: Day 3!
The Big Bang, Fireworks, the meteorite that wiped out the dinosaurs- nothing was as explosive as the Friday of Sled Island. Today the CKXU crew took on their final day at Sled before departing back to the land of Lethbridge. Today was a 3 for one combo on the tears of joy and frisson reaction to the bands we saw today.
Knitting – the soft dreamy sounds of grungy indie rock
I’ll be completely honest with you all, I’m one of the biggest Knitting fans around. Seeing and interviewing these guys was one of the highlights of the whole sled experience. Kicking off the start of the last day at the PinBar with one of the best indie rock bands coming out of Montreal, Quebec. Lead vocalist and Guitarist Micha has such a lovely, sweet and soft voice that whispers sweet, bittersweet lyrics into your heart. The sounds from this 3-piece are tied in perfectly by the heavy drums of Andy and the ever-enticing guitar riffs of Sarah, who is also the band’s producer and recording engineer. The talent of this band is truly unmatched. I had the biggest smile on my face the entire show while also holding back tears of joy (a common occurrence for today).
I have too many recommendations from this band’s discography, but if I may, they are all well worth it. Knitting’s newest album Souvenir comes out June 26th, but while you wait for that, you can listen to their previous album Some Kind of Heaven, with “Heaven” being a feature track. For something a bit more grungy sounding than “Heaven”, give “Nite Lite” a listen, one of my favourite singles Knitting has put out, and a dream come true to see live.
Chrome Harvest – “Folk songs for prairie goths”
After leaving the PinBar with happiness and lots of merch, we headed over to the Palace Theatre to see the much-anticipated Chrome Harvest. The title sums this band up pretty well, so they did a good job giving themselves that description. This Lethbridge seven-piece makes such magical music it warmed my heart watching them play. Not proud but woman enough to say it, I’ve never gone to see this band play because I truly thought they were heavy. When I found out they were some of the best indie folk around, I was shocked. I was even more blown away when I actually heard them play; plus they have two drummers, how sick is that!! Chrome Harvest beautifully blends the sweet folk sounds of the Banjo and Acoustic guitar with intense drums and mellow vocals to make the perfect sound I would describe as big band indie folk. The venue was large, but despite this, the show itself felt so intimate. To tie in the warm music, our very own Kort Woycheshin, @flamesgrain, provided projected videography from scenic views around Lethbridge, AB. This band was truly a breath of fresh air and a time I will never forget.
Black Country, New Road – Big Band Indie Alternative
The headliner, yet one of many highlights of Sled Island. This beautifully eclectic-sounding six-piece hailing from the United Kingdom put on such an unforgettable show. The Palace Theatre was unsurprisingly packed to capacity way before these guys got on stage. If you haven’t heard the music these guys create, you are truly missing out. Their music is such a wonderful blend of theatrical-sounding melodies with big buildup and loud climaxes that move you to your core. Hailing from South London, this group is nothing short of spectacular. The range of instruments played on stage during this show was truly impressive. Aside from the incredible harmonies and talented instrumental skills, the storytelling in the lyrics is truly something so great that the words I write won’t do it justice. Some songs were so sweetly intimate, such as “Forever Howlong”, while others started off this way then pulled you up with the intense buildup like “Two Horses”. My favourites were the songs that had the perfect blend of all the previously mentioned attributes, all of which left a huge smile on my face and a need to move with every beat. “Happy Birthday” and “Besties” are two songs that will forever feel like fireworks inside my body when I listen to them, and I hope you feel the same.
Sled Island 2026 has truly been an incredible experience and the highlight of my year. I sincerely thank all of the volunteers, bands, venue staff, audience members and the Sled Island team for creating something so magical. I look forward to what is yet to come and look back fondly on what has been the greatest festival in Southern Alberta and within Canada. From all of us at CKXU, thank you, Sled Island.
Photos by Kort Woycheshin, @flamesgrain on Instagram
Words by Laura Ponce
