ELM slate features JJ Grey, Stringdusters & return of FUNKsgiving
There’s a new hotspot in the Gallatin Valley, tailor made for live music aficionados. The ELM is now open and bringing national acts to Bozeman. Here’s a look at just a few of the upcoming happenings.
Vermont rockers Twiddle kick off a new month on Wednesday, November 3rd. Local group MOTH will get the music started at 8pm. Advance tickets are $22.
With nearly two decades of relentless touring behind them, the band has performed everywhere from Red Rocks to Bonnaroo, and all the historic rock venues in between. In the live setting, audiences are invigorated by Twiddle’s community, promoting positivity and the band’s skillful improvisational music. Plump Chapters 1 & 2 are available now.
Following on Nov. 5th are Highly Suspect with Friday night show. Music starts at 8pm. Advance tickets are $35. Doors at 7pm.
The band’s third album, MCID, is a manifesto full of lead singer Johnny Steven’s private confessions, packed to the brim with themes of self loathing, body image issues, substance abuse, addressing his complicated past and trying to change his future.
JJ Grey & Mofro perform with help from TK & the Holy Know-Nothings on Sunday, Nov. 14th. Music begins at 8pm. Advance tickets are $32.
From the days of playing greasy local juke joints to headlining major festivals, JJ Grey remains an unfettered, blissful performer, singing with a blue-collared spirit over the bone-deep grooves of his compositions. Onstage, Grey delivers his songs with compassion and a relentless honesty. He and the Mofro lineup offer grace and groove in equal measure, with an easygoing quality to the production marked by intimate muscular drum-breaks.
Heartless Bastards come in hot on Monday, Nov. 15th. Valley Queen joins for the 8pm show. Advance tickets are $25.
The band has released several critically acclaimed albums since its inception, appearing on many late night television shows, and drawing praise from numerous national publications. NPR calls frontman Wennerstrom’s trademark vocals “warm yet gritty, throaty yet sweet, gigantic, yet intimate.” Relix describes their bluesy, rock vibes as “smoky, late night [rock] that exists somewhere between Royal Trux and the Rolling Stones.” They come to Bozeman with a brand new album, A Beautiful Life.
The ELM welcomes Chancey Williams, the next authentic cowboy of country music, on Thursday, Nov. 18th at 8pm. Advance tickets are $22.
Produced by country music hitmaker Trent Willmon, Williams’ 3rd Street has resonated with country music fans of all ages. He co-wrote eight of the album’s tracks from the reminiscent throwback tune “College,” to upbeat anthems like “The World Needs More Cowboys” and “Tonight We’re Drinkin’” to raw, stripped-down ballads like “Let It Go.”
The Infamous Stringdusters are back in Bozeman with help from The Sweet Lillies on Friday, Nov. 19th. The music starts at 8pm. Advance tickets are $33.
Digging deep into their bluegrass roots, their eleventh full-length record A Tribute to Bill Monroe pays homage to the Father of Bluegrass, including songs that shaped them individually and as a band. The Grammy-winning quintet has musical influences that truly run the gamut, but their common denominator is certainly bluegrass – the sound that has defined the course of their career. The Stringdusters’ next studio effort, Toward the Fray, arrives in early 2022.
At long last, Sweet Groovalicious Funk Machine front the 8th Annual FUNKsgiving on Saturday, Nov. 20th at 8pm. Proceeds will be shared with Bridgercare, this year’s non-profit partner. Advance tickets are $17.
The ‘70s-themed dance party of the year is for everyone who likes to get down and get funky. Come shake everything you got to the band’s spicy sounds. As always, ‘70s costumes are strongly encouraged. Let’s see those bell bottoms, ‘staches, polyester and sequins!
Bozeman’s Sweet Groovalicious Funk specializes in good times, playing “retro funk and soul with some ‘funkified’ versions of modern hits thrown in – all to get you up to get down.” With a heavy dose of James Brown and Motown, they’re not afraid to throw in a few funky twists on modern hits – and not above a few chunks of cheesy lounge disco. This is a party band, a get off your butt and dance band, a here to pay some respect to the grooves of yesterday band. When it’s time for lettin’ it all hang out, it’s time to turn on the Sweet Groovalicious Funk Machine.
Local jamgrass darlings Laney Lou & the Bird Dogs front “Black Friday with the Bird Dogs” on Nov. 26th. The event kicks off with music at 8pm. Advance tickets are $20.
Hitting the stage with a brand new album, Through the Smoke is a direct musical response to the isolating times of the last few years. The Bird Dogs found a way to represent their journey through the hardship, while also celebrating the silver linings and breakthrough moments in their lives. The album brings energy to the darkness, and proves that resilience can get us through the hardest of times.
The ELM is located at 506 N 7th in the heart of Bozeman. Peruse current happenings and buy advance tickets at www.logjampresents.com/theELM. Concerts are all-ages. Follow on Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date event announcements. •