Weather Disrupts Spirited Cody Jinks Set at Under The Big Sky Fest

Under The Big Sky Fest in Whitefish, Montana commenced on Friday, July 17th will a massive lineup that included Kaitlin Butts, Benjamin Tod, Rattlesnake Milk, Old Crow Medicine Show, Marcus King Band, Of Monsters and Men, Chance Pena, and crowned by headliner Cody Jinks. Though the searing heat and sun was sometimes spelled by threatening-looking clouds and an occasional drop, the weather cooperated for the most part all day … until it didn’t.

As soon as Cody Jinks took the stage, rain started coming down steady. Then three songs in, the show was called due to lightning in the area. Fans we’re not told to evacuate the grounds or head for shelter, just simply to “hang tight” as Cody and band left the stage. But strangely, Chance Peña whose set started 30 minutes before on the festival’s second stage (called the “Big Mountain Stage”) kept going.

As rumors spread throughout the main stage crowd that the show had been called for good and Cody initially didn’t re-emerge, many headed for their cars, even as Peña continued to play while lightning streaked across the sky in the distance, and light to moderate rain continued to fall. But Cody eventually re-emerged as well, playing a spirited set for those that stuck around, which despite the crowd thinning out, was quite a few fans. Cody hasn’t been playing many live shows recently as he explained from the stage, and was in rare form.

Then at about 10:37 local time, Jinks was told to play just one more song before the worst of the weather got there. The lightning went from off in the distance, to nearly overhead. Cody asked the crowd what song they wanted him to play, and resoundingly the vote was “Hippies and Cowboys.” Right as Jinks finished up, the rain stared coming down hard.

Jinks ended up playing roughly 2/3rds to 3/4s of his set that was scheduled to end at 11:00 pm local time. Some who left early might feel a little short changed. But those who stuck it out got as much of Jinks as they could squeeze in safely, if not a little more before heading to the parking lot and shuttles, which became a logistical snafu in the weather. As this article is being posted, the Saving Country Music Mobile Command Unit is sitting at the back of the blue parking lot, and the line hasn’t moved in an hour.

Under The Big Sky continues on Saturday and Sunday, with headliners Zach Top and Chris Stapleton. Keep up with Saving Country Music on Instagram for updates and artist profiles, and there will be a full recap at the end of the fest.