Get your concert fix at local venues, Montana-style

Montana is packed full of highly talented people who all share an appreciation for the arts. But household names visiting the state to perform? That’s unheard of compared to some surrounding states.

Nonetheless, there’s quite a few music venues around town that do more than enough to fill the niche. From Main Street to 7th Avenue, bands local, national, large and small are rocking out for Montanans. The music scene is growing, with new, larger venues opening across the state. Tune in to this guide to get the scoop on where you can get your music fix this semester and beyond.

Logjam Presents

One Montana company, Logjam Presents, has set up new stages across the state recently, becoming a top concert organizer.

"A lot of us grew up in Montana,” said Ryan Torres, vice president of marketing at Logjam Presents. “Up until recently, entertainment of this caliber wasn't an option. We'd have to travel to Denver or Portland to catch our shows.”

Since Logjam was founded, its goals have been to provide the ultimate entertainment experience for both the artist and the concertgoer, Torres said.

In 2013, a small crew of music lovers began throwing club shows at the Top Hat in Missoula. A few years later, ownership of Logjam Presents purchased and renovated the historic Wilma in downtown Missoula, improving its sound, infrastructure, production capabilities and artist facilities.

"By 2017, Logjam Presents developed the KettleHouse Amphitheater, a scenic 4,250 cap outdoor amphitheater nestled along the banks of the Blackfoot River in Bonner, MT — just outside of Missoula,” Torres said. “Since opening, the venue has consistently ranked amongst the top 100 outdoor amphitheaters worldwide.”

Right before the pandemic, the company began developing another beloved music venue — this time in Bozeman. Logjam's newest venue, The ELM, is a state-of-the-art facility with a capacity of 1,110 people on the corner of 7th and Short in Bozeman's midtown district, Torres said.

"The venue had its grand opening in September of 2021 and has since hosted around 150 events and welcomed over 85,000 concertgoers. Notable acts include Goose, Wilco, Kitchen Dwellers, Ohgeesy, Charley Crocket, Liquid Stranger, Lainey Wilson, Umphrey's McGee, 311, Old Crow Medicine Show and so many more,” he said. In 2023, the ELM was voted the best place for live music in the Gallatin Valley, courtesy of Bozeman Magazine’s reader poll.

"We've been able to really raise the bar for the level of entertainment coming through Montana — and we're still just getting going," Torres said.

What makes Logjam Presents unique, Torres said, is its ability to keep a finger on the pulse of Montana.

"We are a Montana-based company. Our team members live in the community,” he said. “We raise our kids here and we go to our shows. We just want to bring the best entertainment and put on the best shows for the people in our communities.”

If you have yet to experience a concert at The ELM, a great lineup of all-age events is coming up in the next couple of weeks.

The ELM

On Sunday, March 5, Twiddle will be performing at The ELM:

• The Quartet from Vermont, Twiddle is known for amazing live shows. The group has sold out shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Capitol Theatre more than once. Twiddle will perform their fifth, full-length studio album at The ELM, "Every Last Leaf." Listeners can expect Twiddle's trademark sound, which includes funk, jazz, rock, reggae, and bluegrass, according to Logjam. 
• All ages are welcome, the doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
• Reserved balcony lounge seating and general admission standing room tickets are available for purchase in advance or at the door for $26-$41.

On Tuesday, March 7, Dopapod will be performing at The ELM:

• Dopapod, the quartet, started at the Berklee College of Music in 2007. The band presents albums as experiences meant to be heard out of speakers and on stage. Listeners can expect to hear Dopapod’s mix of heavy rock, funk, rock, jazz, bluegrass, and electronica. The group created their self-titled seventh full-length offering, "Dopapod," which they will perform at The ELM, according to Logjam. 
• All ages are welcome, the doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
• Reserved balcony booth seating and general admission standing room tickets are available for purchase in advance or at the door for $22-$30. 

Before The ELM was developed, Bozeman had two live entertainment options for music, the Rialto and the Emerson.

A true pioneer in Montanas' music industry, the Rialto was constructed on Main Street in 1908, according to the Rialto. It originally served as a post office until the Roaring 20s when it developed into a theater. The Rialto flourished during the 20s, hosting all sorts of premiers and events. During the 1980s, the Rialto underwent an extensive renovation. It hosted documentaries, live music shows, feature films and classics until the theater shut its doors in 2005. The Rialto sat vacant for over ten years until new ownership took over in 2018 and restored the Rialto to its original beauty.

The Rialto

On Saturday, March 18, Sam Platts and The Plainsmen will be performing at the Rialto:

• Sam Platts and the Plainsmen are an energetic Americana band from Montana. The band focuses on bringing traditional country and western swing to today's audiences. Sam started his career in music on the plains of Southern Wyoming. His songwriting is heavily inspired by rural life and traditional country music. Sam Platts and the Plainsmen have opened for acts such as Asleep At The Wheel, Wayne Hancock, Dale Watson, and Corb Lund, according to the Rialto. 
• Ages 18 and older are welcome, doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. 
• General admission tickets are available for $15 in advance online at therialtobozeman.com. 

On Tuesday, March 21, G. Love and Special Sauce will be performing at the Rialto:

• G. Love grew up fascinated with folk, blues, and rap. After moving to Boston, the band released their first album. G. Love has performed at music festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. He has also performed with artists like Lucinda Williams, The Dave Matthews Band, The Avett Brothers, Jack Johnson, and DJ Logic, according to Rialto. 
• Ages 21 and older are welcome, doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. 
• General admission tickets are available for $35 in advance online at therialtobozeman.com.

Another Montanan trailblazer in the arts is the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture. The building was constructed from 1918-1920 and originally served as a school, according to the center For 73 years, the Emerson opened its doors for young Bozmanites to receive an education. By 1992, the Emerson hosted the last of its students. Thus, the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture was born. Since 1992 the Emerson has been a center for education, inspiration and community. Staff at the Emerson help organize the Christmas Stroll, Annual Ice Fest, discussion speakers and panels, ski films, The Beast of Bozeman, and so much more, according to the center.

The Emerson

On Saturday, March 4, The Beast of Bozeman finale will be held:

• The Beast of Bozeman is an inaugural event showcasing amateur community talent. Judges have narrowed down the top 15 competitors over the past few weeks. During the finale, the audience will have the opportunity to vote on the winner, according to the center. Prizes include cash, the chance to perform at another event in the Crawford theater and bragging rights. Talents range from silk dancers to talented vocalists and so much more.
• All ages are welcome, doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
• General admission tickets are available in advance for $30 online at theemerson.org

Upcoming Music Festivals

Headwaters Country Jam will be held from July 27 through July 29 in Three Forks, MT:

• Headwaters Country Jam is a three-day country music festival with two stages. Performers include Koe Wetzel, Parker McCollum, Ashley McBryde, Ernest, Pecos and the Rooftops, Tracy Lawrence, Warren Zeiders, Chancey Williams, Randall King, George Birge, Lily Rose, Shane Profitt, John Morgan and more, according to Headwaters Country Jam. 
• All ages are welcome, and admission for children under 10 is free. The doors open at 10 a.m. every day of the festival. 
• Three-day tickets are available in advance for $175 online at headwaterscountryjam.frontgatetickets.com. 

The Wildlands Festival will be held from Aug. 5 through Aug. 6 in Big Sky, MT:

• The Wildlands Festival is a two-day music festival held at the Big Sky Events Arena, with Lone Peak as the backdrop. The lineup for this event has yet to be released. 
• All ages are welcome, and admission for children one year or younger is free. 
• Tickets have yet to go on sale. Stay tuned to wildlandfestival.com for updates on lineups, ticketing and more. 

Everyone knows a concert isn’t a concert without an audience of excited fans. So gather up your friends, buy your tickets in advance, and maybe even head out to dinner downtown before the show.