The King Eddy is back in the spotlight with the return of the National Music Centre’s CIBC Summer Series, and this year’s lineup is a full-on genre buffet. Running from July 31 to September 19, the legendary venue is hosting a handpicked mix of artists who are pushing Canadian music forward—one sweaty, soul-shaking show at a time.
This isn’t just a parade of TikTok hopefuls and indie darlings. We’re talking about everything from neon-lit alt-pop to gravel-throated Americana, socially-conscious hip-hop, Afropop grooves, and some outlaw country vibes that’ll have your boots tapping and your heart breaking. And it’s all going down in Calgary’s East Village, the city’s rising cultural nerve center.
Among the highlights: Mariel Buckley, Alberta’s alt-country queen, will sling raw emotion with a steel-string edge. Hip-hop scholar Arlo Maverick spits bars with brains and bounce. Laura Hickli is bringing her art-pop dreamscapes, while Polo Sho and Bijaan will fire off tracks with lyrical finesse and serious stage presence. And let’s not forget the hometown heroes—like Brett Cassidy & the Corduroy Cowboys, closing the whole thing with rootsy grit and maybe a tear in your beer.
🎶 Sonic Whiplash: Your Playlist Just Got an Upgrade
If you’re looking to get genre-hopped, this is the place. The Summer Series is curated to keep you guessing. One night you’re vibing to L’omelette’s sax-fueled art rock and the next you’re grooving to Deep Love Revival’s disco-laced sunshine soul. SHY FRiEND delivers haunting pop straight from a conservatory fever dream, while Sunset Sabotage flips genres like vinyl.
Want hooks? Clea Anaïs blends nostalgic pop with strings and synths that shimmer. Want a shout-along chorus? Dallas Rodin has it. Need something to make you feel things you’re not ready to process? Try Kindé, fusing gospel roots with R&B and Afro-fusion fire. You might come for one artist, but you’ll leave with three new obsessions and a notes app full of band names to stalk.
And it’s not just about the headliners. Openers like Damase Elis, Chelsie Young, and (un)decided are throwing down too. There’s no filler here—every act has something to say, and a unique way of saying it.
🎟️ Culture, Community, and $15 Tickets? Count Us In
Here’s the kicker: you don’t need to drain your wallet to dive into this wave of live music. Tickets are just $15, or $10 if you’re an NMC Member. That’s the price of a fancy cocktail. If you’re sleeping on this series, you’re missing one of Canada’s most eclectic, genre-bending, voice-raising musical events.
And let’s not overlook what this means for Calgary. The King Eddy isn’t just a venue—it’s a stage with a history, a cultural anchor, and a launchpad for voices that matter. With the National Music Centre at the helm, the Summer Series isn’t just about booking shows—it’s about storytelling, spotlighting underrepresented artists, and weaving music deeper into the city’s DNA.
From poetic pop to sweaty soul to bars that hit harder than your ex’s last text, this lineup is an absolute vibe. Get your tickets, bring your crew, and let the King Eddy remind you why live music still hits different.
👉 Grab your tickets at studiobell.ca/whats-on and check the full schedule. Thank us later.