Under The Big Sky Festival Is Back After Successful First Year
In 2019, an interesting new destination festival popped up just outside of Whitefish, Montana called Under The Big Sky. With acts such as Dwight Yoakam, Cody Jinks, Whitey Morgan, and Amanda Shires on the bill, it got the attention of true country fans, but the question was if it would be worth the trek. Sometimes first year festivals can be dicey. But reviews from attendees were positive and the event drew some 15,000 attendees a day over the two day festival.
“This is my home and our entire team worked really hard to make sure everything came together, and in the end we couldn’t be happier with how it all went,” says Under The Big Sky promoter Johnny Shockey, who owns the 340-acre Big Mountain Ranch where the festival is held. Shockey operates the festival through his own production company Outriders Presents, free from the influence of LiveNation or AEG.
After the success of the first year, the festival will be back July 18th and 19th, 2020, with an impressive slate of talent that includes headliners Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Tyler Childers, Emmylou Harris, and Brothers Osborne. Colter Wall, Lukas Nelson, Billy Strings, Charley Crockett, and Whitney Rose are some of the names from the equally-impressive undercard.
“Under The Big Sky will showcase the very best in Americana, folk, alt-country and rock across two beautiful stages in the heart of one of America’s most unspoiled and pristine regions of natural wilderness,” say the organizers. “The festival pairs cutting edge emerging voices and talents with musical icons, creating a unique showcase for the diverse strains of American music today.”
Along with other activities and events tied to the two-stage festival, this year they will add a camping option at a location two miles away from the festival site, with shuttle service in between. There will also be afterparties in the venues in Whitefish that will give local and regional bands opportunities to perform. The festival says it wants to “continue its commitment to championing local music talent” as part of the festivities.
Some of the local bands scheduled to play include Snowghost, 20 Grand, Archertown, Nick Spear, Badger Hound, The Lil Smokies, and Swagar and Company. Corb Lund from nearby Alberta also performs for his second year, as does Montana’s Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs.
Under The Big Sky is an all-ages event, with free entry for children under 6. Tickets go on sale December 17th at 12 p.m. Mountain Time. Like most destinations festivals, Under The Big Sky is not cheap, and it’s not easy to get to. But it presents a once-in-a-lifetime experience for country and roots fans, and for the second year, a stellar lineup.
December 7, 2019 @ 11:03 am
I wonder how this event might affect the Red Ants Pants Festival, scheduled for 23-26 July 2020, out on the high plains (White Sulphur Springs) of Montana (redantspantsmusicfestival.com).
They have attracted an excellent lineup the last few years, a long way from anywhere.
December 7, 2019 @ 11:07 am
Gonna be a good one! Also, Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs are based out of Bozeman, Montana, not Alberta.
December 7, 2019 @ 11:16 am
Thanks for the correction. I meant to say Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs are from the region as well, but are on the main poster unlike some of the other local bands that are performing in the local venues during the fest, but didn’t make it on the poster. Really cool that this fest is making sure that local bands get their shot. Great sign of character in a festival.
December 7, 2019 @ 11:11 am
Yeah saw the line up yesterday when Paul Cauthen posted, I’m making the trek
December 7, 2019 @ 12:47 pm
That is one hell of a lineup, instant go if it wasn’t on the polar opposite side of the country from me.
December 7, 2019 @ 2:04 pm
Jason Isbell’s popularity is something I just don’t understand. I’ve tried. I’ve bought some songs and a full length of his and I have deleted it all. He sucks.
December 7, 2019 @ 5:27 pm
I agree with this but why delete it what you bought? You may have aneurysm down the line and start liking him.
December 8, 2019 @ 9:26 am
I tend to agree about Jason Isbell. I just can’t seem to get that sad. But he can string words together, and can play the instrument well. Just not my cup of tea.
December 8, 2019 @ 11:40 pm
Totally agree. Hopefully Isbell will take some notes during Childers’ set and realize a great song tells a story, and isn’t just self loathing and/or being as sappy as possible. I also could never understand everyone falling over themselves for Turnpike Troubadours, aka the Counting Crows with a fiddle. Or maybe I am just weird!
December 9, 2019 @ 5:21 am
To each his own, I guess. Everyone has preferences but to say “he sucks” may be a little much.
December 7, 2019 @ 9:10 pm
I know Jade Bird isn’t country but I saw her live at hinterland and have been a fan ever since. She’s badass
February 12, 2020 @ 5:21 pm
Totally agree!!! The Jade(s) presence at the same festival might be the best kept secret in America and perhaps worth the price if admission just to see both of them. I saw Jade Bird twice last year, in St. Louis and Des Moines and I just saw Jade Jackson last week here in St. Louis. They are both spectacularly talented, composer, singer songwriters and musicians who come out with their big guns blazing and have remarkably solid sets from front to back; high energy, let the good times roll!!!
December 9, 2019 @ 8:30 pm
Went to last year’s and we are going again this year. Already booked our cabin. Amazing venue relaxing atmosphere and clean. trash went where it was supposed to go, plenty of room to spread out. Music was unbelievable. The smaller stage was more intimate in my opinion. Honestly when i saw jason isbell and tyler childers on the bill i was alittle disappointed, think they are going to draw more people and change the vibe alittle. Guess not necessarily a bad thing. Looking forward to it again.
December 17, 2019 @ 4:04 pm
Lucas Nelson and POTR is the reason to go!!