AMP Sessions - Kayla Williams
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AMP Sessions brings the Bow Valley together for two weekends of free live music from talented local and Alberta-born artists, with performances beginning at 6 p.m. each evening. Gather friends and family of all ages, pack a picnic or grab something to eat and drink from our BBQ, and settle into a lawn chair to soak up the summer sun and mountain air.
Kayla Williams is making waves in the world of yacht-pop. Based in Calgary, Alberta, she brings her own modern twist of glitter and femininity to the sounds of the ’70s and ’80s, fusing soulful vocals with feel-good grooves. Think Hall & Oates meets Olivia Dean, with a little Huey Lewis levity and a splash of Lake Street Dive.
Her debut EP RETRODELIA (2024)- a bold, vibrant collection- earned her multiple accolades, including Pop Artist of the Year at the 2024 Western Canadian Music Awards, Pop Recording of the Year at the 2024 YYC Music Awards for her single “Come Close,” and, most recently, Pop Recording of the Year at the 2025 YYC Music Awards for RETRODELIA itself.
Now, Williams is back with a fresh chapter. Her sophomore EP, POPSTALGIA, is out now, showcasing an even more colourful, playful, and groove-forward sound.
The EP’s focus track, “Is It Really True?,” channels the spirit of ’80s icon Huey Lewis with a classic rock edge and rich, sax-heavy instrumentation. Instead of leaning into heartbreak’s tears, it flips a breakup song into a sexy yacht-rock jam you can dance and sing to. With its powerful vocals, vintage-style harmonies, and an old-school 6/8 sway, it’s the most throwback moment on the record – and one of the strongest earworms.
When she’s not in the studio or vocal coaching, you’ll find Williams onstage with her powerhouse band, The Yacht Daddies, lighting up dance floors across Western Canada. Their live show is part concert, part escape and all good vibes. With POPSTALGIA on deck, Kayla Williams is cruising full speed ahead into a bright, bold, retro-inspired future.
Photo credit: Freckle Face Media Co.
Kayla Williams is making waves in the world of yacht-pop. Based in Calgary, Alberta, she brings her own modern twist of glitter and femininity to the sounds of the ’70s and ’80s, fusing soulful vocals with feel-good grooves. Think Hall & Oates meets Olivia Dean, with a little Huey Lewis levity and a splash of Lake Street Dive.
Her debut EP RETRODELIA (2024)- a bold, vibrant collection- earned her multiple accolades, including Pop Artist of the Year at the 2024 Western Canadian Music Awards, Pop Recording of the Year at the 2024 YYC Music Awards for her single “Come Close,” and, most recently, Pop Recording of the Year at the 2025 YYC Music Awards for RETRODELIA itself.
Now, Williams is back with a fresh chapter. Her sophomore EP, POPSTALGIA, is out now, showcasing an even more colourful, playful, and groove-forward sound.
The EP’s focus track, “Is It Really True?,” channels the spirit of ’80s icon Huey Lewis with a classic rock edge and rich, sax-heavy instrumentation. Instead of leaning into heartbreak’s tears, it flips a breakup song into a sexy yacht-rock jam you can dance and sing to. With its powerful vocals, vintage-style harmonies, and an old-school 6/8 sway, it’s the most throwback moment on the record – and one of the strongest earworms.
When she’s not in the studio or vocal coaching, you’ll find Williams onstage with her powerhouse band, The Yacht Daddies, lighting up dance floors across Western Canada. Their live show is part concert, part escape and all good vibes. With POPSTALGIA on deck, Kayla Williams is cruising full speed ahead into a bright, bold, retro-inspired future.
Photo credit: Freckle Face Media Co.
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Where is it happening?
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff, AB, Canada, Alberta T1L 1H5
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherBanff Centre for Arts and Creativity
