Unforgettable performances in Calgary: Black Ice Festival, Explosions in the Sky, and more
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) @ Black Ice Festival l Still There - Loophole
Calgary's music scene flourished in 2024, delivering an eclectic mix of performances that showcased both local talent and international acts. From intimate venue gatherings for DIY festivals, to packed crowds for long-awaited acts, each show brought an unique energy to the city's cultural landscape.
Black Ice Festival transformed Loophole into a seven-day haven for underground music, continuing founder Kaiden Jackman's (The Furnace) vision of spotlighting the overlooked and unconventional. A highlight of our year, the festival presents acts that are often overlooked or underrepresented in the community from trance, hyperpop DJ’s to scram punk outfits. It was the emo showcase that really captured our hearts with Still There, Pinball 1973, and the raw energy of Terrible People delivering sets that reminded us why Calgary's emo scene remains vital and evolving. When Astrology Girl had to bow out, Careless Friends Club stepped in, proving that sometimes the best moments come from unexpected changes. The evening peaked during a particularly special moment as Still There's Tevin Straub joined Pinball 1979 for an electrifying cover of Mom Jeans' "Death Club," while Careless Friends Club's Modern Baseball cover had the room singing along to every word. Between the collaborative spirit on stage and previews of new material from each act, the showcase embodied everything that makes Black Ice Festival essential: community, discovery, and the raw energy of artists pushing their boundaries.
If you missed Still There, you can catch them at the Palomino with Fulfilment, Real Friend, and Garland Briggs on February 7, 2025 presented by Canadian Wasteland. Tickets here.
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) @ Black Ice Festival l Still There and Pinball 1973 - Loophole
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) @ Black Ice Festival l Careless Friends Club - Loophole
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) @ Black Ice Festival l Terrible People - Loophole
September marked a moment of redemption and celebration as post-rock pioneers Explosions in the Sky finally made their long-awaited Calgary appearance at the Palace Theatre. The show, presented in partnership with Sled Island, carried extra significance – a resolution to an eleven-year wait after the devastating 2013 Alberta floods forced the cancellation of their scheduled Sled Island performance. As part of their aptly named "The End Tour," the band transformed the venue's historic architecture into a cathedral of sound. The moment Munaf Rayani stepped to the microphone and smiled, saying "Finally Calgary. We are so thrilled to be here," the packed theatre fell into reverent silence. What followed was nothing short of transcendent – the band's signature build-and-release compositions finding their perfect home in the Palace's grand space. From the opening notes of "First Breath After Coma" to the emotional crescendos of "Your Hand in Mine," each song felt like both a homecoming and a revelation. The patient dedication of Calgary's post-rock community was rewarded with a performance that demonstrated why Explosions in the Sky remains unmatched in their ability to tell stories without words, their guitar-driven narratives echoing through the theatre with all the power and nuance of their recorded work.
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Explosions in the Sky @ Palace Theatre - 2024
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Explosions in the Sky @ Palace Theatre - 2024
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Explosions in the Sky @ Palace Theatre - 2024
Fresh off their explosive run at SXSW, Toronto’s Life in Vacuum brought their frenetic energy to a sweltering summer night at Loophole, courtesy of Bookburner Productions. The intimate venue, packed wall-to-wall throughout the night, became a pressure cooker of punk intensity as the temperature rose with each song. The band, carrying the momentum from their Austin performances, delivered a set that had the crowd moving despite the heat. A highlight came with the debut of their new track "Lately," which showcased the band's evolving sound while maintaining their signature punk ethos. The show exemplified Bookburner's keen eye for timing and talent, catching Life in Vacuum at a creative peak and bringing them to Calgary at just the right moment. Even as sweat dripped from the ceiling, the energy never waned – proving once again why Bookburner Productions remains an essential force in curating the city's underground punk music scene.
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Life in Vacuum - Loophole, 2024
The year's most unique celebration came in the form of the Devo After Party, a collaborative effort with the Calgary Underground Film Festival following their screening of the Devo documentary. The Palomino transformed into a new wave paradise as attendees donned the iconic energy dome hats, paying homage to one of music's most innovative bands. Local acts embraced the spirit of the evening, with Brain Bent, Ricca Razorsharp, Blue Odeur, Vailhalen, and the Outlaws each bringing their own interpretation of Devo's experimental discography to the stage. The combination of film appreciation and live music created an immersive experience that celebrated both Calgary's contemporary scene and its connection to alternative music history.
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Devo Afterparty - CUFF x CJSW - Palomino, 2024
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Brain Bent at Devo Afterparty - CUFF x CJSW - Palomino, 2024
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder) - Devo Afterparty - CUFF x CJSW - Palomino, 2024
This year's shows demonstrated the continuing strength of Calgary's music community, from grassroots festivals to major touring acts. The collaborative spirit between various organizations - from Sled Island to the Calgary Underground Film Festival - showed how the scene continues to evolve through creative partnerships. Each venue, from the intimate confines of Loophole to the grandeur of the Palace Theatre, played its part in creating memorable nights that will resonate with attendees long after the final notes faded away.
As we reflect on these shows, it's clear that 2024 represented another strong year for live music in the city, with each event contributing its own chapter to Calgary's ongoing musical narrative.