Montana has no shortage of summer music festivals. And the latest addition – Under The Big Sky Music and Arts Festival – brings stars from across the spectrum of Americana, folk and alt-country to Whitefish.
The festival debuts July 13-14 at Big Mountain Ranch – a 350-acre spread less than 30 miles from Glacier National Park. Under The Big Sky explores the breadth and legacy of Americana, taking in both traditional and contemporary musical traditions while showcasing performers on two stages in naturally formed amphitheaters on the ranch.
Headliners are Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats, whose rugged modern soul complements the powerful, melancholic rock of Band of Horses. Country music icon Dwight Yoakam delivers his singular interpretation of honky-tonk, alongside indie-star Jenny Lewis, who plays tunes from her new album, On The Line, and the in-your-face country stylings of musical outlaw Cody Jinks.
The line-up also features rock-folk firebrand Elle King, Texan rockers Jamestown Revival, and Grammy- and Oscar-winning Yellowstone star and Americana traditionalist Ryan Bingham.
Emerging stars include Brooklyn indie four-piece Lucius, country rocker Nikki Lane, Americana experimentalist Amanda Shires and outlaw country acts Whitey Morgan and Shooter Jennings.
The festival rounds out its diverse programming with Canadian-Western folk-star and Rocky Mountain rancher Corb Lund, alternative roots guitarist Bones Owens, blues-steeped survivor Justin Townes Earle, the dark whiskey hues of San Diego band The Silent Comedy, ruckus-inducing energy from string quartet Hogslop String Band, and Charlie Overbey’s hardened alt-country. Hailing from Montana are Mike Murray, Jameson and the Sordid Seeds, and the acoustic duo Danny + Joy.
Accompanying the musical programming is a rough stock rodeo, trail-riding opportunities, art vendors, food and beverage service, and a bike valet.
Tickets sales start Feb. 19, with early-bird passes beginning at $99 for both days and VIP tickets starting at $250 plus fees (children under 6 are admitted free with ticket-holding adult).