2021 SW Montana Music Summer Guide

Ryann Thomas  |   Tuesday Jun. 1st, 2021


Summer of 2021 is here! After enduring the past summer without any chance to get out and indulge in the local music mix, you will have a chance this summer. This past year guaranteed us one thing, and that was uncertainty. But one thing is for certain - these Montana musical events below are happening in the summer of 2021. *It is important to note due to COVID-19 restrictions some events below are subject to change or cancellation.

ChickenJam West Productions
ChickenJam West Productions is hosting multiple local artists and bands in the
community throughout the summer.

June 3 Reckless Kelly w/ Micky and The Motorcars will be performing at the Old Saloon in Emigrant, MT for only $25-35 admission & 10 and under are free.

June 4 Matt Wallin and His Nervous Breakdown- Album release party that is featuring members of the Dusty Pockets, Pinky and the Floyd, and The Kitchen Dwellers. It will be happening at the Filling Station in Bozeman, MT. The tickets are on sale for $15 and for those who are 21+.

June 5 - 710 Ashbury - The Filling Station (outdoors)

June 24 - Aaron Lewis - The Thompson Ranch - Big Timber, MT

June 25 - Them Coulee Boys w/ Fountain Street Theater - The Filling Station (outdoors)

July 18 - Trampled by Turtles & CAAMP will be performing at the Emerson in Bozeman, MT. All ages are welcome; there will also be a bar catered by PLONK for those 21+. Tickets are SOLD OUT.

July 23 - Aaron Watson w/ David Adam Byrnes are performing at the Old Saloon in Emigrant, MT with tickets on sale for $25 and all ages welcome.

Aug 7 - The Steeldrivers w/ Laney Lou & The Bird Dogs are performing in Lewiston, MT. The admission is $20-27 and all ages are welcome.

Pine Creek Lodge
June - September
Livingston, MT
Pine Creek’s 2021 music season has already begun, and they have quite the lineup for outdoor Montana shit-kickin’ fun this summer. From national favorites from Jo Jo Hermann of Widespread Panic, Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain, Jerry Joseph, Keller Williams, and Charlie Parr to beloved locals The Kitchen Dwellers, Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs, Dead Sky, and The Fossils for the 4th of July. It’s like seeing your favorite band at a campground in the backwoods of Montana, camping nearby is breathtaking, book a cabin if you’re lucky, grab a shuttle and avoid parking. Tickets range from $10-40 for a howling great time.

Outdoor Summer Kick-Off
Pilgrim Congregational Church,
Bozeman, MT
Starting on June 28th at 6:30PM, there will be a family-oriented Outdoor Summer Kick-Off Concert on the lawn. The concert will feature the music of Kate & The AlleyKats, Dos Mayos, UkePhoria as well as numerous kids/family performances. Another “Back to School” concert is planned for August 23rd. Check the bozemanmagazine.com/calendar for more summer events at Pilgrim.

Big Sky Country State Fair
July 21st-July 25th, 2021
Bozeman, MT
Get ready for a dose of summertime fun. The Big Sky Country State Fair is a great place for everyone in the family to enjoy and indulge in live music, roller coaster rides, great food options and live animals. On top of the carnival fun, 2021 Big Sky Country State Fair will be hosting Nelly Granger Smith & Trace Adkins during the night shows on July 21st- 23rd. Along with those artists, Big Sky Country State Fair will also have local bands and solo artists performing live during the night shows with Chicago Dancing Honey Bears performing daily. The Bozeman Roundup Ranch Rodeo will be on July 24th. On July 25th, the fair will feature the Barnyard Brawl: Mutton Bustin’, the calf scramble, and chicken chase. Tickets for Nelly Granger Smith & Trace Adkins are available now for $32.50-$37.50.

Red Ants Pants Music Festival
SOLD OUT Since Publishing
July 22-25, 2021
White Sulphur Springs, MT
The Red Ants Pants is a great local festival that not only is for the community but gives back to the community. All the proceeds made from the festival fund programs in the local community. You can enjoy the live music from local bands and artists while you shop around at the local vendors. You can enter cheeky competitions or join a quick session of yoga at 10am. The Red Ants Pants festival has a lot to offer for the whole family and even allows overnight camping to enjoy all three days of festival fun.

Magic City Blues
August 5, 6 & 7th, 2021
Billings, MT
Montana’s Urban Music Festival: A festival you can always count on that lets you indulge a bit in the blues. The Magic City Blues festival is now going on its 18th year, and offers a great line up that ranges from more known bands and solo artists to those hidden gems of local artists. On Thursday, August 5th, Magic City Blues is offering a free all-ages show with Willy G and Mike Farris performing. On the following Friday and Saturday, the shows are for ages 18+ with tickets ranging from $39 to $69 per individual. Gates will open up at 5:30pm. It’s a great line-up that includes artists like Keb’ MO’, G. Love & the Juice, Larkin Poe, Samantha Fish and more!

SLAM Summer Festival
August 6th, 7th & 8th, 2021
Bogert Park, Bozeman, MT
SLAM festival is a great place to enjoy the summer sunshine with the whole family. This FREE festival includes an Artists’ Market, live Artist Demonstrations, Family Activities, a Montana-made Libations Garden, and Culinary Artisans featuring local flavors, and entertainment of all varieties that showcases the many talents of Montana residents. Performances throughout the weekend include dance, theater, and live music from local artists. SLAM festival is a great place to indulge in all different types of entertainment and artists that Montana residents have to offer.

Sweet Pea Festival
August 6th, 7th & 8th, 2021
Lindley Park, Bozeman, MT
This Sweet Pea Festival will feature local artisans in the community and a bit of local live music. Going on for its 44th time this year, this upcoming festival is one not to miss! The Sweet Pea Festival is working with the Health Department and City of Bozeman to be able to host the festival this summer to the safest of its abilities. It is subject to change or cancellation.

Bravo! Big Sky Music Festival
August 13-14th, 2021
Big Sky, MT
The Bravo! Big Sky Music Festival is a festival that is FREE to all ages who enjoy listening to Jazz and Classical music. This festival will include multiple pop-up concerts around Big Sky, MT and youth music camp, and master classes for students of music.

Music on Main
4 weeks July - August
Main Street, Bozeman, MT
Welcoming the 21st season, Music on Main is a FREE community event held in downtown Bozeman. It has a great selection of local artisans and non-profit organizations who set up booths along the street while the live music fills the ears of the attendees who circle around to the vendors and local businesses. It is a great place to bring the whole family, as it is kid friendly, and also offers a selection of alcohol for those who are 21+.

Rockin’ the Rivers
August 12-14, 2021
Three Forks, MT
Montana’s Home-Grown Ultimate Die-hard Rockfest is happening this August at The Bridge near Three Forks, MT. This year’s lineup includes .38 Special, The Georgia Satellites, Blue Tattoo and Montana’s Jared Stewart. Weekend ticket packages start at $250 and are on sale now at
https://www.rockintherivers.com/

Music in the Mountains
July 3rd- September 9th, 2021
Big Sky, MT
The Arts Council of Big Sky will once again bring Music in the Mountains, a great place to enjoy the outside sunshine every Thursday from June 3rd- September 9th while listening to local and touring artists. It is a family friendly community event that is FREE for all visitors, It starts at 6pm every Thursday night. It will include local artists, performances by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Big Sky Musical Festival and a ton more family-fun concerts.


Headwaters Country Jam
August 19-21, 2021
Three Forks, MT
Headwaters Country Jam is back and even better this year. Not only is Headwaters Country Jam a three-day festival that allows you to camp overnight but the line-up is one not to miss. The line-up for 2021 features artists like Dustin Lynch, Clay Walker, Midland, Craig Morgan, Madison Kozak & so much more. For those who love Country music, this music festival is a must. Tickets go on sale May 14, 2021. 3-Day passes go for $125-$285 per person.

Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons
July 30th, 31st & Aug 1st, 2021
Virginia City, MT
A prolific and accomplished songwriter, writing hits for Widespread Panic and releasing 30 albums as a solo artist, with the Jackmormons, supergroup Stockholm Syndrome, his burning two-piece The Denmark Veseys, or originally, with his beloved 80s cult band, Little Women. Tickets are $40 a day or $100 for three day pass and are available at: https://cosmosexschool.com

There is an exciting amount of music events hopefully happening this upcoming summer allowing everyone to get out of the funk from the 2020 summer quarantine. The range is limitless with the music mix that the local Montana community has to offer and allows all music lovers no matter the genre to come together. *Important note: The events above maybe restricted due to COVID-19 safety restrictions.

About the Author(s)

Ryann Thomas

Ryann Thomas is a Bozeman-based, Montana State University writing student. She is a native to Montana and grew up in Bozeman and Helena, MT. She aspires to be able to continue writing magazine articles once finishing her B.A. at Montana State University. In her downtown outside of writing, she loves

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