By Carli Johnson SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
On Thursday, June 26, Len Hill Park came alive with music, people and vendors for an electric start to the Arts Council of Big Sky’s Music in the Mountains annual concert series. New Orleans based artist John ‘Papas’ Gros headlined the evening, bringing a blend of funk and jazz to Big Sky.
Opening the show as part of the series’ “emerging artist” lineup, Strumbucket visited from Jackson, Wyoming. With foot-stomping bluegrass, funky bass lines and classic rock influences, the five-piece group set a lively tone for the evening.
Gros followed, with a booming energy behind the piano to draw the crowd off their picnic blankets and to the stage.
“The crowd was great. The weather turned out beautiful, and I think the style of music was a perfect way to open the summer,” said Brian Hurlbut, Arts Council executive director, in an interview with EBS.
One memorable moment of the night was when Big Sky local and New Orleans native musician Annie Clements joined Gros and his band. Through personal ties to the band, Clements was able to hop on stage in an impromptu collaboration that brought out the community spirit of Big Sky.
“This is what New Orleans music is all about,” Hurlbut said. “There’s this joke that New Orleans only has one band, and everybody’s in it.”
This season, the Arts Council introduced several upgrades to enhance the concert experience. With growing attendance, they’ve added more portable toilets and expanded security. One update is the presence of the “Vibe Squad”—staff in yellow shirts who educate concert-goers about venue policies, like no glass bottles or dogs on the lawn.
This year’s vendor lineup also reflects the growth of the event, now in its 17th year. With many returning favorites and new food options, Hurlbut noted that more vendors are interested and will be rotating in throughout the summer.
The summer lineup promises more excitement ahead. Next up is Yarn on Thursday, July 3, followed by the annual Fourth of July performance by the Tiny Band on Friday, July 4. Hurlbut anticipates especially large crowds for both shows, as holiday weekends typically draw in more attendance.
With strong community support, growing buzz and a lineup that spans genres, Music in the Mountains is off to a strong start. “We’re just excited it all came together, and we’re thankful to the people and businesses who help make it happen,” Hurlbut said.
