AMP Sessions: Kayla Williams, The Motown 6, Side Hustle and Cave Arcade

Dates: Fri, Jul 17 - Sun, Jul 19

Location: Shaw Amphitheatre

Concerts begin at 6 p.m.

This event is free and all are welcome.

Cash bar

group of people seating on the grass on summer time

A stage like no other.

The majestic Shaw Amphitheatre offers a 360° view of Banff’s gorgeous surroundings. Set in a natural valley in the heart of Banff Centre campus, there is no better spot to enjoy both the mountains and the arts in the summer.

Across three nights, enjoy a different act each evening at 6 p.m., featuring a mix of Alberta artists and summer-ready sounds. This weekend’s lineup includes Calgary yacht-pop artist Kayla Williams on July 17, Alberta soul and funk collective The Motown 6 featuring Jo Marillier, Daniella Rubeling, Michael Maher, Tony Berthelet, and Arif Boga on July 18, and, In association with Canmore Folk Festival, Side Hustle and Cave Arcade on July 19.

Make the most of Amp Sessions with a juicy burger in one hand and a cold drink in the other. Hit up the BBQ for hot dogs and burgers, and swing by the outdoor bar for beer, wine, or a mixed drink. Great tunes, good food, cold drinks—the perfect summer evening.

Supported by:

July 17 - Kayla Williams

Calgary's Kayla Williams is a yacht-pop songstress who brings a feminine flair to the glitter-drenched grooves of the '70s and '80s. She fuses soulful vocals with slick retro-funk swagger - think Hall & Oates meets HAIM, with a little Huey Lewis charm and a splash of Lake Street Dive. A seasoned musician, 13-year vocal coach and 2024 nominee for Pop Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards, Williams is no stranger to the stage - she has performed extensively throughout Western Canada. Her lighthearted energy offers a refreshing escape, showcasing the powerful force of femininity in music.

July 18 - The Motown 6 : Jo Marillier, Daniella Rubeling, Michael Maher, Tony Berthelet & Arif Boga

The Motown 6 is an Alberta-based soul and funk collective that delivers super-charged rhythms with vibrant vocal harmonies. United by a shared love of rhythm and blues, the group presents a musical homage to the classic catalogues of Motown, Stax, and Chess, through to the swampy sounds of New Orleans. With a relentless blues backbeat, The Motown 6 revels in the funkier side of Nashville and the hard grooves of contemporary British soul.

July 19 - Side Hustle & Cave Arcade

In association with Canmore Folk Festival | 40-minute sets

Side Hustle is a local, family experiment that started during the pandemic years. A unique period offered time and opportunity to combine musical interests and curiosity into a grassroots band setting. Influences and formal training are rooted in fiddle and guitar - traditional folk, Celtic, country and western, and popular music. The group has performed original music and cover songs at open mics, busking, and at private and public events such as the Banff Centre Mountain Book and Film Festival and Hockey Day in Canada.

Cave Arcade is an indie rock band from Canmore, Alberta, crafting shimmering, guitar-driven songs that balance sharp wit with a hazy sense of nostalgia. Fronted by Louis Trautman (guitar, lead vocals), alongside Andre Laver (lead guitar, backing vocals), Eli Panning-Osendarp (bass, synth), and Austin Novakowski (drums), the band brings a tight, dynamic chemistry to a sound that feels both expansive and immediate.

They first emerged with their self-titled debut EP, Cave Arcade, a reverb-drenched release rooted in surf-inspired textures that quickly carved out a style that’s cinematic, layered, and quietly anthemic. Since their 2022 full-length The Vaguest Details, Cave Arcade has continued to evolve, leaning further into atmosphere without losing their melodic core.

Their latest EP, Castles, marks a confident step forward—bigger, more immersive, and emotionally resonant, while still carrying the offbeat charm that defines their songwriting.