DANA DURELL

Calgary’s Sled Island Music Festival looks like a great opportunity to enjoy the heat of summer while soaking up all the best that Calgary has to offer.

Headlining bands are always the main attraction to Sled Island, and this year’s lineup is no slouch. Including big names like The Jesus and the Mary Chain, Explosions in the Sky, Swans, Divine Fits, the Joel Plaskett Emergency, Superchunk and Colin Stetson, the 2013 festival isn’t one to be missed. With Young Benjamins, Caves, and The Wizards all gearing up for their own shows, the Saskatoon scene looks to be out in full swing as well.

Keep an eye out for Sled Island’s comedy lineup, which always brings out fresh and innovative talent for those attendees with the perseverance to get into the often overcrowded events. The comedians this year are Sara Hennessey, Eric Andre, Brett Gelman, Chris Locke, Andy Haynes, Pat Thornton, and Pat Kelly. Having Adult Swim star Eric Andre known for his show The Eric Andre Show and other quality talent shows that the comedian are no slouches either.

The festival is heavily committed to reducing its carbon footprint and, if possible, leaving downtown Calgary in better condition than organizers found it. The Green Sled Island initiative engages artists, fans and the city itself to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. With bike valets set up at the biggest venues, cycling to shows has never been easier.

While last year’s event drew award winning acclaim for its conservation and recycling efforts, organizers have a long term goal of making the entire festival waste free.

Sled is in its seventh year and has grown in a thoughtful, organic way with each iteration. Crowds travel from across western Canada to take part in the sprawling party that roots itself in downtown Calgary — a business strategy that took a few years to prove itself but now seems like a no-brainer.

Sled Island officially kicks off on Wednesday, June 19 and continues through to June 23.

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Photo: Supplied