The Arts Council of Big Sky continues to present another amazing season of Music in the Mountains for locals and those visiting Montana this summer. The Thursday night concerts and supplementary events take place at Center Stage in Town Center Park. All performances are FREE and open to the public.
Indie folk band Mt. Joy performs with support from genre-bending act Upstate on Thursday, August 15th. Named as an ode to a mountain in Valley Forge National Park, Mt. Joy made their initial mark with single “Astrovan.” Without initial promotion or fanfare, the song took off on Spotify, racking up 5 million streams to date. Their follow-up singles fared even better, with “Silver Lining” going to the top of the Billboard Adult Alternative charts. The band’s eponymous debut album released last year and they’ve since played some of the biggest music festivals including Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, Lollapalooza, Treefort and Made in America.
Following on Thursday, August 22nd, enjoy the New Orleans-infused music of the Honey Island Swamp Band. Think The Band’s Big Pink album and add a splash of hot sauce with Willin’ by Little Feat, this group of Big Easy vagabonds nails it. From the pristine waters of the Honey Island Swamp, to the vibrant streets of New Orleans, to the hazy corner of Haight-Asbury in San Francisco, this band has endured devastation, relocation and revitalization. A group whose sound has been tagged “Bayou Americana,” the Honey Island Swamp Band has a soulful style and sound that critics have compared to legendary artists such as The Allman Brothers, Little Feat and The Band.
The soulful blues rock sounds of Ron Artis II and the Truth are set for Thursday, August 29th. While developing his multi-instrumental prowess playing in the Artis Family Band, Hawaii-based Ron Artis II quickly took to piano and guitar as his main modes of expression. A master of both, his debut full-length, Soul Street, garnered wide critical praise when it released last year. The album crystallizes the full range of Ron’s influences – deep Delta Blues and Gospel, plus Northern Soul and R&B, alongside in-depth and personal lyrics – into a tight collection of fresh yet familiar songs that are at once urgent and timeless.
Local heroes Pinky and the Floyd will close the summer series on Thursday, September 5th. The “Northwest’s Hottest Pink Floyd Tribute Band” puts on an amazing live show that’s both note-for-note and improvisational, but it’s their superb musicianship that sets them apart from other tribute bands. Their energy and stage presence are unprecedented! Pinky offers up a big sound and is an experience not soon forgotten. You can expect albums in their entirety, and a little something from every Floyd genre – from the Syd Barrett years and The Wall, to The Division Bell and everything in between.
In addition to the Thursday night shows, a free performance of “Merry Wives of Windsor” by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks will take place Monday, August 19th. The show begins at 5:30pm in the park. There will be no food and beverage vendors during this event, but picnics are encouraged! The fourth annual Mountainfilm in Big Sky event caps the summer September 13th–15th.
Town Center Park opens at 6pm for each Thursday concert, and there will be food and beverage vendors (including alcohol) and an arts activity tent for kids. Please be aware that NO dogs or glass containers are allowed in the park. Music typically starts at 7:15pm, but please visit www.bigskyarts.org for more information on these events. Further details about the summer lineup and other Arts Council happenings are also available through the website.