Badlands Music Festival 2022

By alantvuong on February 11, 2023

After having a great time at Badlands Music Festival in 2021 with the All Access Outlaw pass, I had to do it again for 2022. Back in 2019, I only went the one time, while in 2021 I went 5 times. For 2022 I went 4 times and saw Seven Lions, Illenium, The Chainsmokers, and Zedd. There were other artists that I wanted to see like Yung Gravy and Troyboi but I did not want to go party 4 nights in a row.

About Badlands Music Festival

Badlands Music Festival takes place during the 11 day Calgary Stampede annual event. So for 2022 it was July 7 to 17 and featured artists from different genres like country, electronic, hip hop and pop. As with previous years, doors open at 4 or 5 PM with the opening artists starting at 6 or 7PM.

The main headliners come on anywhere between 10.30 and 11 PM and finishes at midnight because of noise laws with surrounding residents. At midnight, the volume is lowered and a local DJ comes on until 2 AM to finish the party.

event list

Tickets for each night of the 11 day ranges from free entry before a certain time to $100 or more depending on the artist headlining that night. Some shows sell out fast so it is a good idea to buy them sooner than later. The best deal is to get a Outlaw pass which starts at $199 plus taxes and fees. This includes priority entry to every night and private washrooms and bars. I bought this pass for the past 2 years and have already done so for 2023.

Getting There

Badlands tent actually moved 1 block south from their previous location due to construction on the old site. It is now located at 725 9th ave SW. It is a bigger location and is still easily accessed by the C train station 2 blocks away or can be wheeled from my place in 20 minutes.

using the C Train is an easy way to get to the festival

Depends on who I am with or how I am feeling, I am fine to travel either way to and from the festival. The main headliner finishes at midnight so there is still the option of taking the C train home if I wanted to.

the new location is straight ahead next to the old location to the right of the pic

New Location

the upgraded trailer bathrooms weren’t accessible

The new location is definitely bigger than previous years as it is longer to accommodate more people and isn’t as crowded. After getting inside on the shorter Outlaw pass line, there are different sets of porta potties and bathroom trailers to our left. Depending on if you have GA (general admission), GA+ or VIP tickets, you get to use your designated bathrooms. There are 2 large accessible porta potties right by the entrance but without anyone monitoring that area, everybody is using them too.

waiting to use the accessible porta potties

Passing the bathrooms, there are several food trucks, different bars and places to get alcohol that also depends on your ticket. Prices are quite high but there is no re-entry to the festival, so if you want food or drinks, you will have to buy what’s there. There is still a free water refill station that I use at least a couple times throughout the festival.

free water refill station

some of the bars

New for this year is the Chinook Garden. This is where you can buy marijuana products and even have a green space to sit on and relax in. Since the whole venue is on a parking lot, it is good to see some kind of grass and plants. This whole area isn’t too crowded either as everything is more spaced out in the bigger location.

Chinook Garden

Stage

view of the stage

There is still one stage this year under the same size tent as last year’s. It is still really crowded as the night goes on and the main headliner comes on. New for this year is the addition of a raised viewing platform for those in wheelchairs. I did go back and forth using this area and hanging out in the regular area depending on my mood and which friends I was with.

wheelchair accessible raised viewing platform not too far from stage

Final Thoughts

I had a great time at Badlands Music Festival in 2022 and really liked the new location. Moving just across the street, it is now bigger and with more room to move around, it does not feel as crowded or tight. I like the addition of the raised accessible viewing platform as it gives me a chance to enjoy the music with a great view of the stage without being bumped around by other people. I already have my Outlaw pass for 2023 and can’t wait for July to come.