A guide to Montana's music scene
Montana's history is woven from a rich tapestry of — let's call them genres. There are the indigenous peoples who shaped this land long before anyone else arrived. There are the explorers and settlers, the industrial chapters of mining and railroads, and the deep roots of cattle and agriculture. There's the legacy of recreation and conservation. And then there's the music.
Not only has Montana produced some genuinely influential musicians over the years, but it's also served as the inspiration for countless western ballads that ache for wide-open landscapes and a simpler way of life. It should come as no surprise, then, that some of the world's best musicians want to come here and carry that spirit forward — playing at venues that are truly one of a kind. Because it's not every day you get to hear world-class music in the shadow of mountains and along the banks of legendary rivers, whether it's a globally touring act or a familiar local set.
So whatever you're after, use this guide to plan your next show and get your calendar filled up, before someone else grabs the last ticket. Be sure to click in on each region to see what's going on, and learn about some notable nearby activities you can plan for when you're out that way.
Bozeman is your launching point. Head out in whatever direction the music and mountains are calling. But before you hit the road, make sure you're not sleeping on what's right here at home. Bozeman's own summer concert series bring live music straight to Main Street, and a handful of venues, some intimate and some surprisingly sizeable, to get your fiddling fix.
Big Sky
Much like Bozeman, Big Sky has a summer concert series of its own, along with a handful of outdoor music festivals that make the most of that mountain backdrop. And when the big events wrap up, a mix of indoor and outdoor venues keeps the beats all year long.
Emigrant
Home to some of the region's most renowned venues, and for good reason. Here in the heart of the Paradise Valley, you can catch world-class talent just a few hundred yards from the fabled Yellowstone River. Combine that with the caliber of musicians these venues attract and the kind of views you get from the surrounding mountains — talk about paradise.
Three Forks
Three Forks punches well above its weight with a mix of great venues, both big and small, and a handful of festivals scattered across the summer that span a surprisingly wide range of genres. Whether you're chasing bluegrass, country, rock, hip hop, or something in between, it's worth keeping Three Forks on your radar.
Missoula
When the biggest names roll through Montana, chances are Missoula is on the itinerary. Home to some of the state's highest caliber venues, this is where the marquee acts tend to land, and where the music scene runs deep enough to keep things interesting long after the headliners have packed up and moved on.
White Sulphur Springs
It may not be Montana's biggest or most famous town, but don't tell that to whoever's been booking their music. Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell — all names that have made their way through town. Thanks to a few standout venues and a notable music festival, White Sulphur Springs has quietly become one of Montana's great underdog music destinations
Butte
Butte has never been a town that does anything halfway, and its music scene is no exception. Home to one of Montana's most unique and diverse music festivals, and with a handful of historic venues that carry the character of a city built on grit and copper
Billings
As Montana's largest city, Billings has long played a unique role in the state's music story. For decades it's been the entry point for progressive and boundary-pushing acts that might not have made it to the state otherwise, quietly modernizing Montana's music scene one edgy show at a time. With some of the state's top tier venues and a few classic festivals that keep the calendar full, it doesn't look like Billings is letting up anytime soon.
