The Calgary Stampeders are pleased to announce that halftime, presented by Metro News, will feature acclaimed indie rock band The Rural Alberta Advantage at the Stampeders’ 2014 regular-season opener at McMahon Stadium on Saturday, June 28.

Formed in Toronto but forged by the homesickness and heartbreak of leaving a hometown in Alberta, the trio The Rural Alberta Advantage (made up of lead singer and guitarist Nils Edenloff, drummer Paul Banwatt and multi-instrumentalist Amy Cole) has been building momentum since the release of the critically acclaimed album Hometowns in 2008. The band’s sophomore album, Departing, was released in 2011 and long listed for the Polaris Music Prize as best Canadian album of the year. In addition to a Juno nomination for New Group of the Year, the RAA also received a Juno nomination for the video for that album’s single, coincidentally entitled “Stamp.” The band’s third album will be released this fall on Paper Bag Records in Canada.

Nils Edenloff grew up in Alberta and shared the significance of being included in such a special event with the community that’s been at the root of so many of his songs.

“In late June 2009, we rolled into Calgary to play our very first show in Alberta as part of Sled Island and the welcome that we received from those early fans singing along to our songs has always been something that has stuck with us,” said Edenloff. “That show was almost five years ago to the day, and we never could have imagined back then that we would be invited to help in opening up the 2014 Stampeders season at McMahon Stadium. Over the years Alberta, and Calgary in particular, has been very good to us and while the place we currently call home is several provinces away, Calgary has always been close to our hearts.”

“We’re extremely proud to offer our fans a great act such as The Rural Alberta Advantage as part of our halftime show for the home-opener,” said Stampeders president Gordon Norrie. “The game and the halftime show are a great start to the Canada Day long weekend.”

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is at 1 p.m.

>> The Rural Alberta Advantage website
>> Twitter @ruralalberta
>> Instagram @ruralalberta
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