The Free Label to Record Live Album at the King Eddy Using Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, September 26 & 27
National Music Centre launches new Live from the King Eddy concert series, invites audiences to be part of the action
(Calgary, AB — August 18, 2026) National Music Centre (NMC) is announcing the launch of Live from the King Eddy, a new concert series that puts audiences in the room as music history is made.
Kicking off the series on September 26 and 27, disco, funk, and soul collective The Free Label will take over the King Eddy for a two-night concert experience that will be recorded live off the floor with the Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Studio. Known as the “Sistine Chapel of rock ‘n’ roll,” the studio on wheels is a treasured part of NMC’s living collection. Used to record albums by some of the biggest names in music, including The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Deep Purple, Bob Marley, and Neil Young, The Free Label will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to add to its legacy.
The Free Label is made up of six multi-instrumentalists and vocalists from Toronto, melding ‘70s disco, ‘90s R&B, and high-energy funk that gets people dancing. The group’s natural chemistry, technical prowess, and captivating live performances have made them instant favourites with audiences worldwide.
“Getting the chance to record with the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio is surreal,” said The Free Label’s Josh Tsakas. “So many records and artists that have inspired us are connected to the studio, and now we get to add our own chapter to that story. We’ve always fed off the energy of a live crowd, so having everyone at the King Eddy with us while we capture our songs is going to be really special. We can’t wait to share those two nights with Calgary.”
The Live from the King Eddy series aims to recapture the spirit of the multi-day residencies that were common at the King Eddy in its early days, and give artists from across Canada access to the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, one of the most coveted pieces of National Music Centre’s living collection. The series also gives audiences an opportunity to be a part of the recording, adding to the vibe of the room and the overall energy of the recording as it unfolds.
The series builds on the success of past sessions with Corb Lund, as well as The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer, whose blistering live album, Live at the King Eddy, earned the blues duo a 2023 JUNO Award nomination, and a 2023 Western Canadian Music Award win for Blues Artist of the Year.
“National Music Centre is home to an extraordinary collection of musical heritage, and we believe that some of the instruments and recording equipment in the collection must be made available so that these treasures can continue to tell stories and capture new Canadian music,” said Andrew Mosker, President and CEO of National Music Centre. “Live from the King Eddy brings that philosophy to life by putting the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio back to work in one of Canada’s most storied live music venues. It also gives artists the rare opportunity to create with a legendary piece of music history, while continuing to preserve the collection and creating a unique program for audiences, where they can experience Canadian artists collaborating with NMC and the King Eddy together.”
Presented in celebration of NMC’s 10th anniversary, the Live from the King Eddy series will bring 10 acclaimed artists from across Canada to Calgary to record live albums at the Eddy using the famed mobile studio. Along with The Free Label, the series will feature Montreal rockers The Damn Truth and Quebec singer-songwriter Sara Dufour, with more Canadian artists to be announced soon.
Tickets for The Free Label’s Live from the King Eddy performances on September 26 and 27 are available at kingeddy.ca/whats-on.
About National Music Centre | Centre National de Musique
More than a museum, the National Music Centre (NMC) is a registered charity dedicated to amplifying the love, sharing, and understanding of music. NMC’s work is guided by five key focus areas: Exhibitions and Collections, Artist and Professional Development, Performance and Recording, Education and Learning, and Music and Wellness. From its headquarters at Studio Bell in the heart of Calgary’s East Village neighbourhood, NMC celebrates Canada’s rich musical legacy, honouring legendary artists, nurturing new voices, and bringing people together through music. As the home for music in Canada, NMC houses a vast collection of rare instruments, artifacts and memorabilia, world-class recording studios, and four national music halls of fame, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s Adisq Hall of Fame. For more information about NMC’s onsite activities, please visit studiobell.ca. To check out the NMC experience online, visit amplify.nmc.ca.
About the King Eddy
Founded over 120 years ago, the King Eddy is an important piece of Calgary’s music story and remains one of the oldest music venues in Canada that is still in operation today. As a cornerstone of the National Music Centre (NMC), the rich civic and musical history of the King Eddy is the primary reason that NMC chose to construct its new building at this location. The King Edward Hotel was one of the first hotels built in Calgary along 9 Avenue between 1905-1907. Over the years, it’s been a home and destination for travellers, settlers, musicians, music fans, and citizens from all walks of life. From the early 1980s until it closed in 2003, the “Eddy” had a respected local, national, and international reputation for legendary live music and was affectionately known as “Calgary’s Home of the Blues.” Restored brick by brick to its original glory by the National Music Centre, the reimagined King Eddy reopened in 2018, marking a new chapter in its storied legacy. It has received numerous national music industry awards and nominations in that time, and has been repeatedly recognized as one of Calgary’s best live music venues. For more information, please visit kingeddy.ca.
-30-
Media Contact:
Julijana Capone, Senior Manager, PR and Marketing
julijana.capone@nmc.ca | @nmc_canada