Tate McRae explains what Calgary Stampede is like on American podcast

Calgary’s own Tate McRae has had a whirlwind week of appearances in support of her new third studio album So Close to What, recently dishing on the Stampede on a new podcast.

Speaking with Saturday Night Live (SNL) star Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers of I Love That for You fame on their pop-culture and comedy podcast Las Culturistas, McRae touched on what Calgary is like when Stampede rolls around.

The event that takes over our city every July was brought up after Rogers quipped to McRae that he could see her doing country music, with McRae adding that she could too, thanks to Calgary being kind of country.

“Like we have like this one month in the summertime where literally the whole place is like hay stacks, cowboy hats, only country music,” McRae said.

Hearing that spurred Rogers to ask about a festival being held in YYC.

“Yeah, Stampede,” McRae added. “So weird, like it’s just for one month the whole town goes straight country, so like, I’m actually into country music.”

We aren’t surprised that Stampede is somewhat fresh on McRae’s mind after being one of the hottest shows for her Cowboys Music Festival appearance during last year’s festivities.

It wasn’t the only time McRae touched on Calgary lifestyle in the interview, describing her high school years as normal and agreeing that the city feels like “real Canada” compared to other parts of the country.

It’s shaping up to be a massive 2025 for 21-year-old McRae, who is set to embark on her first arena tour later this year. She has yet to add a Calgary stop, though, so your next best bet is driving up to Edmonton to see her there.

While we are on the topic of McRae, we can’t forget that she cracked the top five most searched-for musicians by Canadians on Google for all of 2024. She’s crushing it!

Check out McRae’s full interview below.

McRae was also on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon earlier this week, where she spilled about her occasional celebrity workout partner and taught Fallon some dance moves, too.

Fans of the singer will remain fed over the weekend as well, with McRae landing the musical guest on SNL this Saturday.