Happy Friday, Beacon readers! Lauren Frick here, and I’m not sure if any of you were aware, but this little-known music festival called Under the Big Sky has set up shop in Whitefish this weekend. You know, the one that brings tens of thousands of music lovers to Big Mountain Ranch and offers a stage for similarly lesser known artists like Chris Stapleton, Zach Top and Cody Jinks. You know that one?
If you haven’t picked up on the not-so-subtle sarcasm seeping through your screen right now, I think it’s safe to say that pretty much everyone in the valley — ticket holders or not — knows Under the Big Sky is this weekend. (I’ve already seen a parade of cowboy hats, as well as one pair of hot pink cowgirl boots, while grabbing dinner on Central Avenue last night).
The festival — which has continued to grow since its first edition at Big Mountain Ranch’s 340 acres back in 2019 — kicked off today at 12:30 p.m. at the Big Mountain stage with Tanner Laws, followed by the Tobacco River Ramblers getting things started at the main “Great Northern” stage at 1:30 p.m.
Just a few reminders — for those wondering how to get to the festival (or how to avoid it) Big Mountain Ranch is about three miles east of downtown Whitefish, along Voerman Road and Edgewood Drive, with parking lots marked by each road.
The festival also offers a shuttle system, with the free “blue” shuttles picking up festivalgoers from the Bierstube on Big Mountain, Depot Park in downtown Whitefish, and the Blue Moon in Columbia Falls. The “red” shuttles cost $5 and pick up at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell. Ticket reservations for shuttles are highly recommended and can be purchased here.
With thunder and some rain clouds rolling into the valley over the last 24 hours, weather is another thing to keep top of mind while enjoying the festival this weekend. Aside from bringing an ample amount of sunscreen, here’s what festival organizers had to say about what to do if the Montana weather lives up to its unpredictable potential:
“If weather requires a temporary pause in programming, we’ll provide updates through our social channels, the festival app, on-site announcements, and FM 101.7,” the festival said in a Friday morning Facebook post. “During any weather pause, guests may be asked to make their way to a covered barn, their vehicle, or available shuttle buses until programming resumes.”
If you’re looking to get away from the crowds this weekend but are still looking to get your festival fix, may I suggest a squeeze in the trees? Of course I’m referring to the annual Backwoods Accordion Festival in Trego, which will take place from 2-9 p.m. on Saturday, July 18.
Now in its seventh year, the Backwoods Accordion Festival brings together, you guessed it, an array of accordion aficionados to play for the crowd at Trego Pub. The event is free (although donations are encouraged) and includes a vendor fair, kids activities and a variety show, as well as food and drink for purchase on site.
This year’s festival will feature a 7 p.m. headlining performance from John Whelan, who is a seven-time All-Ireland Champion Button Accordionist. Whelan has recorded more than 15 CDs, appeared on more than 30 albums with other artists, and spent several weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard World Music Charts. Whelan has also written more than 65 original tunes, many of which have been recorded and performed by artists all over the world. He is widely recognized for forming the John Whelan Band, and his duo performances with Grammy award-winning fiddle player Eileen Ivers during the first years of Riverdance.
And finally, if outlaw country and Americana or the musical stylings of the accordion aren’t your cup of tea, how about some heavy metal?
The Fire in the Mountains festival will make its return to the Red Eagle Campground in East Glacier from July 23-26.
Through music, art and education, the heavy metal festival is a one-of-a-kind, immersion-based experience designed to rekindle the connection to the natural world and one’s self. Fire in the Mountains’ mission is simple: create a community bound by music and guided by nature; a gathering that leaves both people and place stronger.
Originally founded near Jackson, Wyo. in 2015, this year’s installment of the festival is its largest yet and includes a worldwide exclusive reunion performance of the band Neurosis. The band’s long-awaited appearance will take place on the sacred lands of the Blackfeet Nation, alongside 25 other ground-breaking artists from around the globe.
The festival is presented by the Firekeeper Alliance — a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing suicide in Indigenous communities. I could go on about this extraordinary festival and the amazing nonprofit that runs it, but it wouldn’t hold a candle to my fellow staff writer Zoë Buhrmaster, who wrote a beautiful (and award-winning) feature on the festival and Firekeeper Alliance this past fall. Click here to give “A Place to Scream” a read.
Formore information on this year’s festival and to purchase tickets, click here.
Whew, I think that’s all I’ve got for y’all — happy listening and concert going! Let’s tune into the rest of today’s Daily Roundup.
‘Pretty Mind Blowing’: Kyle Hunter Goes From Under The Big Sky Crowd to Main Stage
From a small town outside Thompson Falls to the Under the Big Sky main stage, Kyle Hunter will make his debut at the popular Whitefish musical festival this weekend, playing at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Glacier Park to Plug Historic Oil Well at Kintla Lake
The 125-year-old oil well — Montana's first — was abandoned soon after its establishment. After a recent survey detected leaking gases, the park has determined it needs to be plugged.
An Academy of Country Music Top Female Vocalist, multi-platinum artist, and Grand Ole Opry member Sara Evans is the voice behind number 1 hits like “Born to Fly” and “Suds in the Bucket” and “A Little Bit Stronger.” Don’t miss her powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics live on the Wachholz stage.
Don’t miss Country Music Hall and lifelong torchbearer of country music Marty Stuart on July 26. Marty has spent over 50 years shaping the genre from performing with Johnny Cash and Lester Flat to building a legendary solo career. He and The Superlatives’ most recent album release “Space Junk” showcases the inimitable interplay and bond between Marty and his longtime bandmates, Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson, and Chris Scruggs.
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