20,000 descend on Whitefish for country music festival
A fan crowd surfs during the Caamp performance at the Under the Big Sky music festival in Whitefish on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
Ohio-based folk band Caamp draws a big crowd at the Under the Big Sky music festival in Whitefish on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
Ohio-based folk band Caamp draws a big crowd at the Under the Big Sky music festival in Whitefish on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
Ohio-based folk band Caamp draws a big crowd at the Under the Big Sky music festival in Whitefish on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
People watch Caamp from a forested area of Big Mountain Ranch at the Under the Big Sky music festival in Whitefish on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
Concertgoers enjoy a hammock view at the Under the Big Sky music festival in Whitefish on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
Ohio-based folk band Caamp draws a big crowd at the Under the Big Sky music festival in Whitefish on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
A fan crowd surfs during the Caamp performance at the Under the Big Sky music festival in Whitefish on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
People browse the Glacier Rim Hats booth at the Under the Big Sky music festival in Whitefish on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
Under the Big Sky concertgoers head into the venue on Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
A couple gets a photo in front of an International covered in roses at the Under the Big Sky music festival on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
Crowds gather on Big Mountain Ranch for the Under the Big Sky music festival on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
Crowds gather to watch Colter Wall at the Under the Big Sky music festival on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
Merchandise for sale at the Under the Big Sky music festival on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
Crowds gather on Big Mountain Ranch for the Under the Big Sky music festival on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
Crowds gather on Big Mountain Ranch for the Under the Big Sky music festival on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
Crowds gather on Big Mountain Ranch for the Under the Big Sky music festival on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
As darkness finally enveloped the main stage at Under the Big Sky in Whitefish on Friday night — smoky sunset hues giving way to sophisticated concert lighting design — Caamp frontman Taylor Meier offered praise to the behind-the-scenes crews that helped pull off opening night of the three-day folk and country music festival.
“Shout out to Johnny,” Meier offered, referring to Johnny Shockey, the CEO of Outrider's Present who first launched the now annual event four summers ago. “Impeccable,” Meier said about the venue and staff.
That sentiment seemed to be prevalent among the throngs of concertgoers who descended on Big Mountain Ranch just outside of Whitefish. About 20,000 attendees were expected each day — more than double Whitefish’s population — but the expansive acreage provided ample elbow room to gather and dance.
According to organizers, tickets were sold to people from all 50 states, as well as Canada, Australia, Sweden and Italy.
Zoe Vornbrock and Parker Kasko traveled from Alberta, Canada to see Ohio-based band Caamp. Kasko has been keeping an eye on Under the Big Sky since it first launched and finally pulled the trigger on getting tickets.
“I saved up and got them this year,” he said.
“It’s so pretty here,” Vornbrock added, as the sun creeped across the Whitefish Range.
Maisy Hinrichs and her friends came from Bismarck, N.D., specifically to see Sunday’s headline act Zach Bryan, as well as country group Whiskey Myers on Saturday.
“It’s very nice. Everything is placed conveniently and the mountain views are so pretty,” commented Hinrichs, as she explored the venue that offers two concert stages, one with views of Big Mountain and the other toward the Swan Range.
Caamp and singer Colter Wall drew huge crowds at the main Great Northern stage on Friday. Saturday’s lineup included headline acts Hank Williams Jr., and Leann Rimes.
Festival organizers began site preparations in May. By July, a labyrinth of paths led attendees around the ranch that is curated with chic mountain west design and decor. An old International blanketed with fresh-cut flowers offered a picture perfect selfie station, while barns and horse stalls were refreshed into vendor spaces offering country concert necessities like sundresses, boots, wide-brimmed hats and even tattoos.
Whitefish-based Glacier Rim Hats’ booth drew a consistent stream of lookers. Becky and Todd Horning own the custom-made hat company and have been regular vendors at Under the Big Sky.
“We do sell some hats,” Todd quipped with a smile.
The Guatemalan style is a festival favorite with the relentless summer sun and heat. The past two years they’ve sold out of their top-selling merchandise.
The couple takes shifts manning the booth so they can catch some of the music acts.
“If we sell out Sunday, maybe we’ll go together,” Todd said.
Besides the proliferation of big hats, other festival amenities to beat the heat included the free “watering holes” with reusable water bottles and drink cups available, as well as sun-blocking structures. A forested section dividing the two concert areas quickly became a popular area to hang a hammock in the shade Friday with peek-a-boo views of the main stage.
Medical tents were set up on each side of the venue, staffed with personnel from the Whitefish Fire Department. Security measures included metal detectors and bag checks at the entrance, with Flathead County Sheriff’s Office having a presence on site, as well.
Buses shuttled attendees between downtown Whitefish and the venue, while two fields were converted into parking. Traffic into and out of the venue moved easily Friday afternoon and night.
No camping is allowed at the site, so most out-of-town attendees opted for hotels and short-term rentals.
Hinrichs and her friends scored a VRBO in Coram for the three days, while Albertans Vornbrock and Kasko said they were lucky to have family in the area to stay with.
“It’s perfect,” Vornbrock said of the weekend. “It’s going to be so fun.”
