Five months away, but Sled Island is already taking shape.
This week, the Calgary alternative music and arts festival announced that the guest curator for its 11th annual event will be L.A. producer and hip-hop artist Flying Lotus.
The acclaimed musician, born Steven Ellison, will help select some of the performers that will be among the more than 250 acts participating in the fest, which this year takes place June 21-25 at more than 35 locations around the city.
He will also take the stage at The Palace Theatre on June 24 for a performance.
Under the Flying Lotus moniker, Ellison has released five albums, including his latest, 2014’s You’re Dead, which was an across-the-board critical hit. He’s also known for the musical work he does for Adult Swim programming on the Cartoon Network, has scored several films and has also ventured into the directorial realm, with his feature-length debut Kuso scheduled to premiere this month at Sundance.
Flying Lotus joins previous Sled guest curator’s, including Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Andrew W.K., Kathleen Hanna, Pavement’s Scott Kannberg, Wire’s Colin Newman and last year’s star attraction Peaches.
The first wave of acts for the festival will be announced in February, but discounted passes for Sled are available now until March 13.
Prices range from $191 for the Discovery Pass, which grants access to all Sled Island events (music, comedy, film and art), subject to capacity, to the Discovery Plus Pass for $327, which grants priority access to all Sled events, entrance into the artist lounge access, a T-shirt,limited edition screen-printed poster and other goodies. As with every year, there’s also an All-Ages Pass, now priced at $3, which lets those under 18 into the more than 50 all-ages events.
For passes and more information go to sledisland.com.
