Riverbend Concert Series set up for summer

The Riverbend Concert Series will kick off Sunday, June 23 at Everit L. Sliter Memorial Park in Bigfork. The series has run for over 40 years, with this year’s lineup including tributes to the concerts’ past supporters. A total of 10 local artists will play each Sunday at 7 p.m. through Aug. 25.

June 23

First on the docket is John Dunnigan, who has been playing in the Flathead for around 40 years. The folksy, guitar-centric style of Dunnigan has heavy local flavor, and the artist is always the entertainer, with music designed you make you laugh and think. 

June 30

John Catmull is from Missoula, specializing in acoustic guitar and harmonica, but has also dappled in electric, straddling the genres of Americana and American pop. He has seven full-length albums and has had performances across the West.

July 7

The Bad Larrys are an acoustical duo from the Flathead. Their music is centered around storytelling, “Americana music mixed with a touch of Prairie Home Companion.” They have covered Johnny Cash to Beyonce. 

July 14

Roots Uprising has played across the Flathead, specializing in roots reggae with dancehall dub and ska. In the past the band has performed the music of Bob Marley, Maxi Preist and more. 

July 21

Girls and Guitars are also known around the Flathead, a country duo that have played in bars around Montana. 

July 28

The Mike Murray Duo specializes in folk, with Murray recording six studio albums plus thousands of live performances over a decade. His songs relate to daily Montanan life. 

Aug. 4

The Don Lawrence Orchestra plays swing, jazz, Latin and pop music. Started by Columbia Falls’ Don Lawrence, who recently passed, the band has been a local staple for decades. Their performance will include a tribute to Lawrence, as well as Dr. Charlotte French, a longtime Bigfork resident who helped with the concert series before she passed earlier this year. 

Aug. 11

Archertown was started by couple Kyle and Natalie Archer, a couple who married in Nashville and moved back home to Whitefish to start their band with friend John Kaye. They have worked around Northwest Montana, specializing in country music, 

Aug. 18

Tommy Edwards lives in Bigfork, his band is influenced by blues, clue grass folk, western rock and country, blended into an Americana sound. In 2021, he did a stint on “The Voice.”

Aug. 25

Closing the series is John Floridis and Jennifer Slayden of Missoula. Their music is centered around bluesy folk rock acoustics. 

Due to the downtown bridge being out in Bigfork, as well as limited parking, it is suggested to arrive early or plan on walking to Sliter Memorial Park for the event. Bring your own chairs or blanket and join locals and visitors alike for the event. Dogs are welcome leashed. 

“It is just a wonderful way to show what our little town has to offer,” board member Jo Ann Dramer said. The concert series provides local musicians an opportunity to perform, as well as traffic for local businesses. 

Food trucks will include GOAT Ice Cream, Sausage Queen, CocoCabana, MAD Cajun and more. 

Tickets are available for single shows or the season, with more information available at riverbendconcertsbigfork.com/.