Under the Big Sky festival returns for third year
A band performs at the Under the Big Sky Festival at Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish on July 17. (Whitney England/Whitefish Pilot)
The Under The Big Sky music festival is set to return to Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish on July 16 and 17 with reduced ticket sales and a lineup that includes an eclectic mix of country, soul and rock performers.
Produced by Outriders Presents, tickets are now on sale for this year’s festival that features indie rock stars Lord Huron, returning outlaw country singer Cody Jinks, psychedelic soul from Austin’s Black Pumas, Nashville’s Margo Price, the bluegrass of Trampled by Turtles, and pop-country crossover Morgan Wade.
The festival first debuted in 2019. After taking 2020 off due to the pandemic it returned last year, drawing more than 20,000 to the site just outside of Whitefish. City officials noted after last year’s event that the large crowd strained city services, and expressed their desire for festival organizers to work to mitigate those impacts going forward.
In a press release Tuesday, organizers said new protocols will help ensure easier parking, while the festival’s daily capacity will be capped at 20,000. The number of water stations will be doubled, along with $1 water bottle sales, and additional restrooms will be added to the general admission and VIP sections.
Under the Big Sky’s “sustainability efforts” will be led by Kilowatt One, the press release said.
This year’s festival will also see the expansion of its creekside stage area, as well as expanded daily rodeo programming led by rodeo icon Duane Kesler, who has been running rodeos across the West for over 40 years.
The festival kicks off Friday evening, July 15, with a rodeo, featuring special performances from Turnpike Troubadour reunited after an indefinite hiatus, and the dynamic baritone Paul Cauthen.
The lineup also includes the Turnpike Troubadours, Midland, Shakey Graves, Zach Bryan, Morgan Wade, Lainey Wilson, Sierra Ferrell, the Hogslop String Band and more.
Under The Big Sky is open for all ages to attend, with children under 6 given free entry. For tickets, the complete lineup and further information, visit www.underthebigskyfest.com/