Bands & Musicians in Montana

Montana's music reflects its landscape: cowboy ballads and western swing, fiddle traditions, and the powwow drumming of the Blackfeet, Crow, and other tribal nations. Missoula's university town energy grew an indie and jam scene that produced the bluegrass of the Lil Smokies, while Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament carried Montana roots to the world stage. Outdoor festivals now define the summer season.

Missoula pairs the historic Wilma theater with the riverside KettleHouse Amphitheater in nearby Bonner. Bozeman's rooms serve the university crowd, Billings bands play the Pub Station, and Red Ants Pants Music Festival near White Sulphur Springs draws roots acts each summer. Whitefish's Under the Big Sky festival rounds out the mountain circuit.

Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam grew up in Big Sandy, and rock and roller Chan Romero of Hippy Hippy Shake fame came from Billings. The Lil Smokies built a national bluegrass following from Missoula, and musician-comedian Reggie Watts was raised in Great Falls.

Missoula and Bozeman are the twin hubs, each with university crowds, open mics, and breweries that book bands; Billings is the third pole for eastern Montana. Distances between towns are serious, so many bands form around the colleges. Connect with players across the state on BandMate before planning a tour of the wide-open spaces.