Liberty Spikes and $2.50 PBR take over Big Sky's annual Metal in the Mountains

Liberty spikes, leather and loud guitars took over Big Sky’s Len Hill Park last Thursday as students traded their usual Thursday night routines for Metal in the Mountains. 

The Big Sky Arts Council holds Music in the Mountains events every Thursday from late June to late August. The last event of the season, Metal in the Mountains, hosts rock, grunge bands and tends to a younger, metal-fanatic-based crowd. 

This year, the concert kicked off with emerging artist Scavenger, followed by the headline performance from The Iron Maidens — an all-female Iron Maiden tribute band. 

As students fed off the band's energy, the crowd quickly became a mosh pit of metal fans while those of age made their way to the beer tent. 

Near the food trucks, a large chalkboard read “PBR $2.50,” engaging those who may have spent their last couple bucks on the hour-long commute. Others were seen carrying in a six-pack, some even dragging a 24-pack behind them. 

The cheap beer, food trucks and music intrigue students, but the free admission seals the deal. 

Jojo Levin, a freshman at MSU, attended her first Music in the Mountains event last week. Levin said that she came because the concert was free for all attendees. 

“If I had to pay money, I would not be here,” she said. “‘Cause all college students are broke — it’s true.”

One of Levin’s friends, freshman Zach Albro, said a metal show might not be worth the price of admission, while a favorite country or folk artist could be. 

The free admission is only part of what brings people together at the events. 

Scotland Jones, a freshman from Bozeman, brought friends from town to experience the event together. 

“All of the people are here coming together to enjoy the same kind of music,” Jones said. 

Big Sky Arts Council Executive Director Brian Hurlburt said the smaller crowds at Metal in the Mountains are a part of what makes the event unique. 

“The crowd that is there really, really appreciates something like that,” Hurlburt said. “It’s also a really great event for a lot of locals here in Big Sky because it does feel a little like a smaller local event.” 

Metal in the Mountains was not originally a part of the Music in the Mountains lineup, according to Hurlburt. Four years ago, he offered the winner of a Battle of the Bands competition in Belgrade a chance to open a Music in the Mountains show. When local metal band Liquid Gnar won, Hurlburt and organizers contemplated how to incorporate the band's metal style into their carefully thought-out, family-friendly atmosphere of the regular summer lineup. 

“I didn't really know what to do and we were sitting around the office and we were just like, ‘Well, what about if we just did an extra show at the end of the year and we made it like heavy metal — yeah, we can call it the Metal in the Mountains.’ And it just kind of sprang from there,” Hurlburt said. “It was a really fun idea for the staff to play with and come up with the artwork concept. So, we kind of just rolled with it and we've been doing it ever since.”

This final Music in the Mountains event has become a staple in most students' back-to-school traditions. 

The Big Sky Arts Council has hosted Music in the Mountains since 2005, and the events have remained free since 2008, according to their website.

Because Big Sky is not an incorporated city, the four percent tax in Big Sky goes directly back to the community. According to Hurlburt, taxes cover about half of the event costs, while local and statewide organizers, businesses and vendors who pay to be at the event cover the rest. Merchandise and the beer tent also help bring in supporting revenue. 

For students looking for an inexpensive night out, Metal in the Mountains offers more than just music. It’s a chance to bring friends together, meet new people and become a part of a community. 

“We really feel that, at Music [in] the Mountains, we can tell when the students are here,” Hurlburt said. 

Hurlburt emphasized that he wants students to be safe and responsible while having fun.  

“I can say that every artist that has played here always wants to come back,” said Hurlburt. “It’s a beautiful outdoor setting. It’s family-friendly. There’s people of all ages. The view from the stage is as good as it gets anywhere in the country.”

Music in the Mountains has ended for the season, but events will return late next June. Lineup updates are available at bigskyarts.org.