1. Plan Ahead

I GET SO OVERWHELMED. With how many bands and artists I wanna dance/shake ass/mosh to at Sled Island. In past years, I’ve eased these feelings of anxiety by making a lil list, a personal schedule, in my phone notes app. This way, I always have my plan with me, and can share it with friends too! Writing down every band that I wanna see alongside their set times has also allowed me to prioritize seeing certain shows, as they can often overlap.

2. Transport

Unless you are playing a show (or if you’re physically unable to, DUH), I don’t wanna see ANY of you driving to a Sled show this year. Driving is a 2025 OUT. Ew!!! Ride your damn bike, use the damn CTrain (R.I.P Greenline), call a damn cab, walk to the damn venue. The possibilities are endless. Parking takes up so much space, and takes so much time to find! Uncle Girl herself (me) has literally missed a show because she spent over half an hour looking for a goddamned parking spot. Goddamn.

3. Timing

If this is your fifi rst time at Sled, PLEASE READ THIS I’M LITERALLY LOOKING OUT FOR YOU RIGHT NOW!!!!!! Show up to every show early. And I don’t mean 6:55 when the show starts at 7:00. I mean EARLY. Shit fills up quick around this tiny city. You’d be surprised, there are a lot of cool people with good taste and only so much space for all of them to enjoy wicked toonz.

4. Self-Care

Learn from my mistakes and don’t get too drunk on the Friday night. You gotta be prepped and ready to rip your face off during Otoboke Beaver’s set on Saturday, okay?

Repeat after me: I WILL NOT GET HAMMERED ON FRIDAY, JUNE 20TH, 2025.

I WILL NOT GET HAMMERED ON FRIDAY, JUNE 20TH, 2025.

“HAVE FUCKING FUN, CATCH YOURSELF WHEN YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT LOOKING COOL OR DANCING COOL, INSTEAD OF FEELING THE ENERGY OF THE MUSIC BECAUSE TRULY, HONESTLY, AND ULTIMATELY SEEING MUSIC IS ABOUT LOVE AND JOY AND FURY AND CONNECTION AND FUN!!”

Here’s a list of tips:

- REMEMBER TO HYDRATE

- WEAR COMFORTABLE FOOTWEAR

- Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand wanting to wear a cute outfit. Of course, I get that. Your stilettos could work for one night, but five days???? Honey, you can forget it. Take care of those dogs.

- GET 8-10 HOURS OF SLEEP

- EAT GREASY BREAKFASTS

- TALK TO YOUR SLED CRUSH. The coolest thing a person can do is say a simple “hellooo :) loved your set!”

- AND AVOID YOUR OPS. AT. ALL. COSTS.

Okay, so yeah, that’s basically my guide. If you’re a badass who’s good at following instructions, you’re destined to have the best Sled Island ever. I also made a playlist of shows that I’m gonna catch at the festival. If you’re there and want a hug, just let me know. Uncle’s Only, though. Idolize no one, landlords blow, and the complete commodification of “cool” has completely killed subculture.

Sled Island Survival Guide