Badlands Music Festival
Tiesto, Zedd, and Subtronics are just some of the enormous names to catch at Badlands ‘25. The Scene pick to catch, however, is the Boiler Room set. This viral online music broadcaster (you’ve probably seen snippets on TikTok) brings ISOxo and HorsegiirL to the Blue Sky City, with locals like buccaltheft kicking things off.
July 3 to 13, 725 9 Ave. S.W., badlandsmusicfest.com.
Cowboys Music Festival
The Stampede’s stealthy music festival continues at the iconic Cowboys tent. Fall Out Boy, Macklemore, and Akon are set to bring your heart and your eardrums back to 2010.
July 3 to 13 at Cowboys Park, 1220 9 Ave. S.W., cowboysmusicfestival.com.
The Mocking Shadows
B.B. King, Buddy Guy, ZZ Top – The Mocking Shadows have played with some bona fide music royalty over their career. Catch them in an intimate setting, right on the Music Mile.
July 5, 8 p.m. at the Ironwood, 1229 9 Ave. S.E., ironwoodstage.ca
bbno$
This Vancouver musician has been making waves lately, from his hyper-queer Junos performance to the earworm single “it boy”. The entire National Saloon lineup is pretty crazy, but this is one show not to be missed.
July 7, 7 p.m. at the National Saloon Tent, 330 11 Ave. S.W., ntnlsaloon.ca.
Round-Up Music Fest
Looking to treat your parents, or just relive the ‘80s? Take them to see Pat Benatar, Tom Cochrane, INXS, and more at this one-day shindig.
July 9 at Prince’s Island Park, roundupmusicfest.com
Rebecca Black
If you still only associate Rebecca Black with “Friday,” you gotta keep up. Her born-again career has seen her crushing the decks with impeccably produced hyper-pop and dynamic DJ sets. Don’t believe us? Watch her electric Boiler Room set, and then see it live.
July 10, 9 p.m. at The Palace, 219 8 Ave. S.W., thepalacetheatre.ca.
Oxford Stomp
Swing back to the island for another packed day of music, featuring Sheryl Crow, Dear Rouge, and many more.
July 11 at Prince’s Island Park, oxfordstomp.com.
Chamberfest West
Calgary’s premier chamber music festival (co-founded by recent Top 40 alumni Roman Rabinovich) is back, featuring seven concerts in five venues across the city.
July 14 to 18, chamberfestwestyyc.com.
Peter Dreams and MOONRIIVR
Peter Dreimanis’s (of July Talk) solo project takes his distinctively gravelly voice and casts it in a new, psych-y post-punk context, featuring an electrifying collaboration with MOONRIIVR.
July 16, 8:30 p.m. at Dickens, 1000 9 Ave. S.W., dickensyyc.com.
Wynonna Judd
With five Grammy Awards and multiple platinum albums under her belt, Wynonna Judd has been a singular voice of Appalachian-style folk-country since 1992.
July 16, 6:30 p.m. at the Grey Eagle Event Centre, 3777 Grey Eagle Dr., greyeagleresortandcasino.ca.
Scott Morin Presents: Jazz at The Attic
Once a month, Scott Morin curates a lineup of exciting jazz musicians to deliver soulful sets of standards, improvisation, and perfect jazz club vibes.
July 25, 7:30 p.m. at The Attic, 1413 9 Ave. S.E.,theatticyyc.ca.
Kings Rot w/ Sorguinazia, Frosthymn and Blackspirit
It’s black metal night at Calgary’s favourite barbecue joint, with Kings Rot headlining a grim and brutal night of frost-bitten heaviness. A great alternative if Folk Fest isn’t quite loud enough for you.
July 26, 8 p.m. at the Palomino, 109 7 Ave. S.W., thepalomino.ca.
The Ship & Anchor’s 35th Birthday Show
Bad Buddy, The Blue, and Brain Bent (this writer’s band!) are bringing the party to celebrate 35 years of Calgary’s best dive bar. We’ll bring the cake and champagne!
July 30, 8 p.m. at the Ship & Anchor, 534 17 Ave. S.W., shipandanchor.com.
Calgary International Blues Festival
Newly at home at The Confluence, Bluesfest is bringing a wild lineup to Calgary that includes Nigel Mack Blues Attack, Lady A, and even locals like Marcus Trummer.
July 31 to August 3 at The Confluence, 750 9 Ave. S.E., calgarybluesfest.com.
BigXThaPlug
This southern hip-hop maestro is bringing the beats to Mac Hall, fresh off the release of his sophomore album last October, Take Care.
July 31, 5 p.m. at MacEwan Hall, 2500 University Dr., machallconcerts.com.
Chasing Summer Festival
The yang to Badlands’ yin, this year’s Chasing Summer is headlined by none other than Kx5 — a wobbly producing collaboration between Deadmau5 and Kaskade. Don’t forget to drink water!
August 2 and 3 at the Max Bell Centre Festival Grounds, chasingsummerfestival.com.
