Sled Island Day Three: Perra, The Mummies, Devours, and more
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Perra
My Day 3 started with a panel on touring for indie musicians at the Sled Conference. It was interesting to look behind the curtain and see all of the different angles one has to consider when touring. The panel members all had insightful advice and thoughts, and I learned a lot about touring logistics and strategies. A piece that stuck out to me was when Brendan McCarney talked about creating ‘supply and demand’ for your presence in other cities with your touring. My panel on building a following as an indie musician afterwards was likewise insightful and an absolute joy to moderate.
I moved over to Loophole for the Reverie showcase, which was smart of me as the venue hit capacity not long after I arrived. The Medusas went on first; they were so spritely and lots of fun. They are unabashedly riot girl punk, and I love that for them. They brought up Faith from local band Toxic Fem to sing for a song, it was a really cute moment between them.
Photo credit: Daman Singh (@damaan_) - Medusas
4BPM is a real hardcore raw talent. The lead went completely wild; you could not hold him still. The room was stuffy, sweaty, and glorious. It was incredibly heartening to see the all-ages crowd be so eager to get rough and go wild at a show. They have all of the energy and none of the too-cool attitude; they were there to skank, and they skank’d harder than I’ve ever seen.
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - 4BPM
Crachat brought just as much energy to this show as they did at their Wednesday show. The lead’s wild eyes and unpredictability carried well into the smaller, more intimate space. What made them great this time around was their tongue-in-cheek playfulness with the audience. They were a crowd that needed to trust the band playing, and Crachat did a great job earning that trust.
Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Crachat
‘Why wait for the mosh when you can start it?’ seemed to be Perra’s thought as they played. Backed by a projected compilation of scenes from edgy 90’s films, their lead’s singing had this ferocious growling quality; the band was wolf-like, not just in sound but in how they prowled and sprang themselves into the crowd. It was an intense show where I feel like the young pent-up crowd finally let go and, for lack of a better way to say this, got fully violent in the ensuing pit.
Photo credit: Daman Singh (@damaan_) - Perra
The treat of going to the Legion is that you can catch a show you want to see, and get a taste of another set happening in the same venue; Xiu Xiu rocked the mainstage, bringing intensity and their trademark eccentricity. I’m glad I caught a peek at them.
Photo credit: Marcus Ogden - Xiu Xiu
Upstairs was a program of darker electronica. MORRISMORRIS’s set was greeted with a free Pizza offering from the neighbouring Cenovus Sled Lounge, people curiously wandered in and stuck around for the set. Their look that night is best described as grunge-techno sorcerer, and their vibe was severe.
Photo credit: Marcus Ogden - MORRISMORRIS
Kerub left the dancing to the crowd and focused on the mixers in front of them. Their set was very back to basics: drum machine, synth, and glitch noise all played by someone in eye-catching headwear. The gaps between songs were filled by Kerub’s attention-grabbing statements, which are best not put in print, but the crowd was fully behind them.
Photo credit: Marcus Ogden - Kerub
Devours capped off the night and did not disappoint. Though their second performance of the night, they had just as much energy as anyone else. Dressed in their classic electronica-sleaze garb and face paint, they played all their hits from their latest album Sports Car Era. going literally until their laptop died, and then a bit more afterwards, the crowd was heavily feeling them. - Marcus Ogden
Photo credit: Marcus Ogden - Devours
The Mummies finished their sold-out Sled Island residency on Saturday night in the basement of the Palomino. Chaotic, captivating and full of charm the iconic California band did not disappoint their rabid fans. Once the mosh pit started it didn't end until everyone left the Palomino sweating and grinning from ear to ear. - Kenn Enns
Photo credit: Daman Singh (@damaan_) - The Mummies
All of my wonderful colleagues here at Reverie have already covered many of the bands I caught Friday night, but the undeniable standout for me was Vancouver’s NATLAK. I had major FOMO last year during their Sled Island set—friends’ photos and videos flooded my feed, and I instantly added them to my mental list of “bands I need to see if they ever come back to Calgary.” Thankfully, they did—and this year, I finally got to see them live at Palomino Basement. Special guest Brendan Chiu from Still Depths joined NATLAK, which was an absolute treat! Although they were far from what I’d usually listen to, NATLAK’s noise-punk was incredibly passionate, high-energy, and the crowd loved it. - Gabrielle Cadiang
Photo credit: Gabrielle Cadiang - NATLAK
Even with the pouring rain, Sled Island-goers were out and ready to party. Ship n Anchor was shoulder to shoulder for Ribbon Skirt, and the crowd kept that same energy for SHY FRiEND. A relatively new band, having music released only through this last year, they decorated the stage with flora and fauna. The setup was completed with fairy wings and flower crowns worn by each band member. Video recordings on Nintendo DS and little toy phones was like stepping into a nostalgic wonderland. The lead singer rocked pink platforms and gently submitted the crowd into her haunting vocals. Imagine Mitski’s “A Pearl” followed by a strong call for the pits.
Toronto’s-own Cootie Catcher followed with their unique indietronica. Their devoted blend of indie rock with electronic turntables was an experience for the eyes and the ears.
DOOM GONG sauntered on stage with seven band members hailing all the way from Kentucky. The stage was packed with two drum sets, two guitars, two trumpets, a synthesizer, the bongos, and of course, the doom gong. Considering how much was going on, they performed incredibly well and displayed an expert knowledge of rock music. Each person complemented one another, and their whole set was 45 minutes non-stop. - Emma Marshall