Calgary Folk Music Festival Announces Star-Studded Headliners for 2026 Edition
The Calgary Folk Music Festival has revealed its initial headliner lineup for the 2026 summer event, set to take place from July 23 to 26 at Prince's Island Park. The announcement, made on Thursday morning, features a diverse mix of iconic and contemporary artists, promising an unforgettable musical experience for attendees.
Psychedelic Furs to Headline Sunday Night
The Psychedelic Furs, the pioneering British new wave and post-punk band formed in 1977, will bring a nostalgic blast to the Sunday night mainstage. Known as one of the most influential acts from Britain's late 1970s post-punk scene, the band reached its peak in the early 1980s with the album Talk Talk Talk, which included hits like Dumb Waiters and Pretty In Pink. The latter inspired John Hughes' 1986 teen dramedy of the same name. After disbanding in 1992, the group reunited in 2000 and released Made of Rain, their first album in nearly three decades.
Friday and Saturday Headliners Revealed
Friday night will feature Goldie Boutilier, a Canadian alt-pop sensation who recently headlined the festival's Block Heater event to sold-out audiences. Saturday's mainstage will be taken over by Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives. Stuart, a country-music icon, began his career at age 13 by joining Lester Flatt's band in the 1960s and later apprenticed with Johnny Cash from 1979 to 1985 before launching a successful solo career.
Valerie June to Kick Off the Festival
Thursday night will be headlined by festival favorite Valerie June, a Tennessee-born singer-songwriter known for blending R&B, roots music, garage-rock energy, and gospel. June, who has performed at both the folk fest and Block Heater in the past, earned a Grammy nomination in 2021 for Best American Roots Song for Call Me A Fool, a collaboration with Memphis soul icon Carla Thomas.
Additional Acts and Full Lineup Announcement
The early artist leak also includes other notable performers such as Brazilian multi-instrumentalist and poet Bia Ferreira, Toronto disco/R&B act The Free Label, Americana singer-songwriter Mary Gautier, and Ukrainian folk band Yagody. A complete lineup for the Calgary Folk Music Festival is scheduled to be announced on April 8, with more details available at calgaryfolkfest.com.
This year's festival promises to deliver a rich tapestry of musical genres, from post-punk and country to alt-pop and roots, ensuring something for every music enthusiast in the heart of Calgary.
