The Moonlight MusicFest returns to Big Sky Aug. 16-17 for its second year of delivering stellar music by national and regional talent in a breathtaking setting. Nina Corelli of Missoula claimed two free tickets. “Thank you so much!!!! Oh my goodness this is exciting,” she exclaimed.
Josh Ritter, whose new single, “Old Black Magic,” is rapidly climbing the radio charts, and local favorite Satsang, whose new album Kulture is just out, are recent additions to the line-up. The roster also includes Trampled by Turtles, The Record Company, Blackberry Smoke, The War & Treaty, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, The Wood Brothers, and Dwayne Dopsie and The Zydeco Hellraisers, as well as local phenoms The Dusty Pockets.
The bands perform in Moonlight Basin’s Madison Base Area, on the north side of Lone Peak with spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. “I felt like we were in a living room listening to the best entertainment in the best, natural environment ever. What a great festival,” said an attendee at last year’s inaugural event.” And the Wood Brothers were so smitten, they plan to return: “We liked performing at this festival so much that we are coming back!”
The weekend’s festivities will also feature a vendors’ row with food and beverage trucks and festival merchandise, and a “Fun & Games” area for kids big and small.
“We were thrilled to be a part of last summer’s Moonlight MusicFest,” says Matt Kidd, managing director of CrossHarbor Capital, whose Lone Mountain Land Company and Moonlight Basin were key backers of the event. “It was the first year of the festival, the line-up was exceptional and the turnout really proved that great music and a gorgeous venue are things people from all over want to be a part of.”
“We’re looking forward building upon this success, and making year two, as well as every year to come, even better,” he added.
General admission is $149 for a full festival pass, with Friday and Saturday prices at $78 and $88 respectively. Discounted student tickets are available and kids under 12 are free. A portion of each ticket sold will be donated to the Moonlight Community Foundation and the Big Sky Arts Council.
For details, including daily schedules, tickets, discounted hotel rates and information about the artists, head to moonlightmusicfest.com.