Montana Music
Get your dose of Montana summer concerts.
Is there anything better than sipping a cold one, kicking back with your favorite people, and enjoying an outdoor concert as the summer day draws to a close? Montanans love to celebrate life, and outdoor concerts provide yet another opportunity to do so.
Every true Bozemanite knows about Music on Main. Starting June 27, local bands play every Thursday night right on Main Street from 6:30-8:30pm. With food vendors along the street, activities for kids and families, and a designated open-container area, Music on Main is Bozeman’s weekly block party—and it’s free.
Music in the Mountains in Big Sky offers a similar environment to Music on Main, set against the beautiful backdrop of Lone Peak. Starting July 4, every Thursday from 6-10pm, bands of all genres perform in the Meadow Village. Bring a blanket and a cooler to relax with some friends, or do some dancing in front of the stage. In any case, you’re guaranteed to have a good time in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Join in a weekend of camping and music under the big sky at Red Ants Pants Music Festival in White Sulphur Springs, July 25-28. A variety of musicians, from big-name acts to smaller sideshows, will satisfy the most discriminating concert-goer. Camping is available adjacent to the festival grounds, so you can keep partying well into the night. Admission is $115 for the entire weekend or $45 for a day pass. Order tickets online or buy them at select locations, including Cactus Records in Bozeman.
Grab some friends and hit to road for Targhee Fest (July 19-21) or the Targhee Bluegress Festival (August 9-11) at Grand Targhee Resort in Wyoming. These outdoor extravaganzas are for serious revelers only, with three days of music, beer, food, and 5,000-6,000 attendees. Camping is available. Three-day passes are offered for each event as well as a six-day “summer of music” pass for both. Get your tickets early, as prices increase as the events approach. Prices vary from $163 for the full event to $45 for single concert tickets.
July 19-21 marks the 14th annual Livingston Summerfest. Including both local and touring musicians, music plays from early afternoon into the evening, making for a full weekend of music and community. Crafts and food are available. This is a weekend you do not want to miss. Tickets are $20 for a three-day pass or $15 per day.
Bozeman’s annual Sweet Pea Festival, August 2-4, offers a number of outdoor musical performances Saturday and Sunday. Celebrate Bozeman arts and culture and enjoy other events the festival has to offer such as Bite of Bozeman and Shakespeare in the Parks. This festival is a Bozeman classic.
Beer and music. Can it get any better? Visit the Big Sky Brewfest July 16 for beer tasting from local breweries and live music by Milton Menasco and the Big Fiasco featuring country, rock, and reggae. While you’re tying one on, let the kids loose on the zipline and climbing wall. $10 at the gate includes 10 four-ounce pours. For more information, go to bigskyresort.com.
Summer in Montana is nothing short of magical. The hot, adventure-filled days don’t have to end when the sun heads toward the horizon. Get out and enjoy these outdoor concerts with friends and family, get a little crazy, and celebrate these short-lived summer days.
