Music News Digest: Calgary's Sled Island Announces 2026 Lineup, An All-Star Tribute to Dave Bookman in Toronto

The musically adventurous Calgary music festival Sled Island has just announced its full lineup. New additions include hyperpop rapper Lil Mariko (in her Canadian debut), illuminati hotties, alt-rock group Palehound, Indigenous electronic cello ensemble Cris Derksen Quartet, noisy Midwest slowcore outfit Flooding, Canadian indie rock project Fanclubwallet, mask-wearing thrash punks TEAR DUNGEON, genre-bending post-punk artist J.R.C.G., New Mexico-based pop-punk band Weedrat, and the final two guest curator selections: experimental musique concrète project Cooling Prongs, and Nigerian‑American pianist Sharon Udoh (who will also be joining fest curators clipping. for their performance at The Palace Theatre on June 20).

Emerging acts joining this year’s lineup include award-winning Plains Cree hip-hop artist Drezus, Winnipeg indie rockers Virgo Rising, Whitehorse-based “gateway metal” duo FRANKLIN, ambient pedal steel performer Wayne Patrick Garrett, dance-inspired electronic artist Eejungmi, San Francisco experimental pop project Tricky FM, Toronto-based art rockers Kali Horse, high-energy cow-punk ensemble Spank Williams, post-hardcore powerhouse Midnight Peg, operatic post-punk four-piece Shunk and many, many more. There'll also be comedy acts, a drag brunch, DJ sets and an art exhibit, plus conference panels in the Central Library on June 19. Passes and tickets are on sale now here.

Industry News

At its first ever Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Calgary, SOCAN announced the results of its 2026 board of directors election, following a voting period that ran from April 8 through April 29.

In 2026, there were three writer director positions, and three publisher director positions up for election consistent with SOCAN’s annual board election cycle. Elected to represent SOCAN writer members were composers and songwriters David Bussières (Québec) (Francophone), John Rowley (east) and Sarah Slean (east), and now repping SOCAN publisher members are Diane Pinet (Québec) (Francophone) Bloc-Notes Music Publishing, Mark Jowett (west) Nettwerk Music Group and Jennifer Mitchell (east) Red Brick Music Publishing.

The 2026-2027 SOCAN board of directors continuing their terms representing SOCAN writer members are Lesley Barber, Darren Fung, Greg Johnston, Troy Kokol, Laurence Lafond-Beaulne and Marc Ouellette. Repping SOCAN publisher members are Jason Klein, Jennifer Beavis, Daniel Lafrance , Cheryl Link, David Quilico and Jean-François Denis. The new SOCAN board of directors held its first meeting on May 5.

The AGM followed the release of SOCAN's annual report, which included a record high for revenue distribution.

– Blues-rock artist Jimi released a new single, “Leather Jacket,” on May 1 and simultaneously announced a new global distribution partnership between her label, Vancouver Island-based Headwater Music Group and ADA Canada, the independent distribution and artist services arm of Warner Music Canada. The new track has been selected as one of three songs by Canadian artists to be featured throughout the 2026 Toronto Blue Jays season on Sportsnet. Jimi recently played nine shows (all sold out) in a headline tour across Western Canada and has a single release party/show at Fox Cabaret in Vancouver on May 15.

Eric Wong, president of Warner Music Canada, says: “Jimi is a talented artist who has built a strong foundation through her musicianship and a genuine connection with her audience. We are pleased to partner with her and the team at Headwater Music Group, whose innovative approach to artist development aligns with our mission at ADA."

– It has been seven years since Toronto broadcaster, musician and music promoter Dave Bookman (a.k.a. Bookie) passed, but he has certainly not been forgotten by the music community that gained so much from his work. That will be in evidence on May 9 at the third year special live tribute show honouring Bookman. Presented by INDIE88 (where he was a DJ) and Departure, this year 's event, called I’m In Love With That Song and featuring various artists covering the music of Big Star, will be held at The Garrison. Admission is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item and the joint is sure to be jammed.

Once again, the show was organized again by Stephen Stanley (Lowest of The Low + Stephen Stanley Band) and legendary promoter Elliott Lefko (Goldenvoice), both close friends of Bookman. Guest singers include John Borra, Kevan Byrne, Shakura S'Aida, John Critchley, Katie Cruel and Charlotte Cornfield, all backed by The Bookie Band, consisting of Ian Blurton, Jody Brummell, Jud Ruhl and Anna Ruddick.

– From May 7 to 10, the University of Toronto Faculty of Music will host Global Musical Modernities and Local Agency, a gathering featuring over 50 speakers from 17 countries under the umbrella of the Global Western Art Music Network, a research initiative rethinking the boundaries and assumptions of Western art music.

Alongside panels spanning regions from Latin America to East Asia, the Middle East, and the Afro-diaspora, the conference includes concerts, lecture-recitals, a roundtable with arts leaders, and an exhibition at the Canadian Music Centre. The event includes two free concerts by internationally renowned musicians, Armenian-Canadian pianist Eve Egoyan (on May 7) and British-Lebanese flautist Wissam Boustany (on May 8). More info here.

– CBC is releasing two more concert films captured at the Allied Music Centre in Toronto. CBC Live at TD Music Hall: Mah Moud was filmed last October, the artist's first hometown headline performance in seven years. CBC Live at Massey Hall: Adam Baldwin was filmed at this January's concert by the rising East Coast singer-songwriter. Both titles are available on CBC Gem and the CBC Music YouTube channel, with additional releases to come.

– Ralph Alfonso is a veteran music industry renaissance man, having worked as a publicist (Attic Records), artist manager, record label head (Bongo Beat) , beatnik poet, photographer and, currently, as owner of Montreal's BBAM! Gallery. On May 8, he heads down to Hamilton for Picture My Face: The Ralph Alfonso Punk Photo Show, an exhibit of his work from the first wave of punk rock. It is at The Local Skate Shop, on the former site of beloved rock club This Ain't Hollywood. The event runs 6-11 pm.

Festivals News

Whistler’s Summer Concert Series has announced its lineup of 13 nights of returning to Olympic Plaza this July and August, bringing 13 nights of free outdoor live music, at Olympic Plaza this July and August. It is a musically eclectic list that includes the Steven Page Trio with a string quartet (opening the series on Canada Day), acclaimed Latin rock combo Ozomatli, and such Canadian rock and roots favourites as The Trews, The Washboard Union and Trooper. More info here.

– The brainchild of acclaimed roots musician Miranda Mulholland, the Muskoka Music Festival turns 10 years old this summer. Its premier event is an Aug. 22 concert at Gravenhurst Opera House featuring Serena Ryder and Mimi O'Bonsawsin. Of note: This Opera House was built by Mulholland's great-great-grandfather, Charles Mickle, 125 years ago when he was Mayor of Gravenhurst. Tickets on sale now here.

– The Road to Supercrawl is the initiative of renowned Hamilton recording studio Grant Avenue, currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. It is a multi-evening series where 25 area musicians will vie for prizes, including a the main stage slot at the Supercrawl fest in September. Five nights at Hamilton club Mills Hardware are followed by the August final at Bridgeworks. May 13, the first night Feura, Gravely, Marshall Dane, Siobhan Bodrug and Spitty . More info here.

– On May 7, as part of Departure Festival, TD Music Hall in Toronto and Good Grief (a Toronto songwriting duo) present The Inner Circle Vol. 5, a writers' round format of music and storytelling. It features performances by Dragonette, Heather Russell, Kassidy, Good Grief, and a guest appearance by multi-platinum artist and author Mia Martina. Tickets here.

Artists News

Internationally acclaimed French crossover pianist Sofiane Pamart recently released his fourth album, Movie. The ambitious offering features such star guests as Wyclef Jean, Rema, J Balvin, SIA, Christine and the Queens and new Canadian Hall of Famer Nelly Furtado. Parmat will appear on Quebec's top TV show Tout le monde en parle on May 10 and will perform at Maison symphonique for Montreal Jazzfest on July 3.

The album is now at 4+ million Spotify streams, with “Moviestar" ft. Rema over 1 million streams.

– Popular Toronto flamenco group Ventanas are having a busy May. They started the month with shows in Waterloo and Toronto, to be followed by performances at Aurora Cultural Centre (May 9), afternoon shows at Confederation Park, Hamilton on May 24 and a return to Drom Taberna in Toronto, May 30. Fronted by singer/dancer Tamar Ilana, the group also features some A-list players. Here's a new single.