Big Sky Light w/ Bill Mize ft. Beth Youngblood & Beth Bramhall
Wednesday, July 1 // Doors at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $12 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter BigSkyLight creates immersive, improvised acoustic environments rooted in listening, spaciousness, and emotional resonance. Combining the shimmering resonance of handpans with bowed strings and upright bass, the ensemble develops evolving compositions that drift between ambient chamber music, meditative minimalism, and cinematic improvisation. Their performances invite audiences into states of reflection, stillness, wonder, and collective presence — music that feels at once grounded in Montana landscapes and suspended somewhere beyond them. Links BIGSKYLIGHT Official Website https://www.bigskylightmusic.com BIGSKYLIGHT Bandcamp https://bigskylight.bandcamp.com Acclaimed Tennessee finger style guitarist Bill Mize will be joined by acoustic instrumentalists Beth Bramhall and Beth Youngblood collaborate to bring audiences transformative musical experiences. Grammy-winning guitarist Bill Mize is a fitting representative of his Tennessee’s rich musical heritage, floating stylistically between Memphis soul and Appalachian highland melodies. His fingerstyle compositions are lauded as fluid and intricate, and their delivery masterful. “I received most of my musical education from a cheap Zenith radio,” says Mize, who as a child drifted off to sleep to the decidedly non-sleepy lullabyes emanating from Nashville’s WLAC and WSM and Knoxville’s WNOX. Maybe that’s why critics speak of his ability to “transport” the listener; the music itself has been transported. The links to his Tennessee roots are unmistakable, but so are the elements of the far wider musical realm he inhabits. Mize has performed nationwide at acoustic music festivals, listening rooms, guitar shows, and concert series since the 1980s. With his recent CD release, The Southwind, he continues to selectively share his innovative heartfelt, zen-tinged, soul arrangements. Bill Mize emerged in the late 80s with an innovative and influential wave of acoustic guitarists as part of the Windham Hill Guitar Sampler. Bill established himself with a signature sound reflective of his influences of Appalachian highland melodies and Memphis soul. As an independent musician, he has gone on take the top prize of the Winfield National Fingerstyle Guitar Competition, receive a GRAMMY Award for his collaboration with renowned musician and storyteller David Holt, and appear at venues and festivals around the country. In 2009 and 2013, Bill’s music appeared in the Ken Burns documentaries “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” and “Country Music.” BILLMIZE.com
Western Union
Sunday, July 12 // Door at 6:30 PM // Show at 7 PM // $12 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Louie and Kimberlee are founding members of Montana’s hottest Texas swing band Western Union, with bandmates David Horgan and Beth Lo from one of Montana’s most renowned jazz and R&B bands-the Big Sky Mudflaps. They have the distinction of being the only Montana band to play at the Montana Folk Festival (July 2016) in addition to opening for Marty Stewart (Sept 2015) and Colorado’s renowned Hot Rize (July 2015). Where jazz meets country, Western Union is Montana’s favorite “countrypolitan” western swing band, specializing in classic Texas Swing & Honky Tonk music. With electric and acoustic guitars, standup bass, pedal steel guitar, and drums – plus sharp-as-a-tack lead vocals and vocal harmonies — Western Union delivers the true-blue sound of grassroots America. All tickets are general admission. Artist Supporter Tickets are a way for patrons to provide more financial support to performers. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
PROBLEMS w/ Adhesive & Girlpit
Tuesday June 9 // 7:30 PM Doors // 8:00 PM Show // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter PROBLEMS is a one-person band from Chicago, led by Darren Keen. They make composer driven electronic music that is sometimes very fun, sometimes very beautiful, and usually quite excellent. PROBLEMS’ latest release “Enter the Annals” was released last year on The Record Machine. Their newest project “PROBLEMS GETTING HARD” is out Spring 2026 via The Record Machine, and they are touring as direct support with Getdown Services in Spring 2026. The band has tour support history with Peaches, Dan Deacon, Lighting Bolt, Wolf Eyes, Mezerg, Pile, deaths dynamic shroud, and Giant Claw. In addition to extensive headline touring throughout North America and Europe, PROBLEMS has performed at festivals such as Lincoln Calling and Camp a Low Hum in New Zealand. Website | Instagram | Youtube Adhesive is fast and loud and slow from Hollywood, FL. Bandcamp
Aydin Ray, Curly, Lil Jane, & Not Faave
Sunday, July 19 // Doors at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $12 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter notfaave also known as David Williams is a singer, songwriter, engineer and producer from Reno Nevada. David’s music discography mainly consists of melodic/emo rap with deep lyrics and catchy flows. David’s album “Interstellar” amassed over 28 thousand streams with “Trust Issues” gaining over 11 thousands streams alone. David found solace in music from a young age. From the age of 15, David was experimenting with producing beats and writing lyrics in his bedroom inspired by artists like Josh A, iAmJakeHill, Convolk and Lil Peep. Artist lil jane is a rapper who comes from the small city of Missoula, Montana. Rising from an underground scene, jane first began making music when he was in the 6th grade, starting off with making music in the program FL Studio. He continued on writing and producing music, dropping his first rap single “Deeper Than Blood” in 2020. Years later, while crafting his musical career, lil jane released his latest full-length album, “Life 3.0” in 2023. Follow lil jane on all social media @liljanerecords Curly reveals recent releases like the YOU GET WHAT YOU GET and 2024’s singles and EPs including DON’T SLAM MY SHIT and Lento, indicating a consistently active creative pipeline . Their catalog suggests a bold, modern approach—mixing assertive titles and fresh projects with a likely edgy or experimental edge. Aydian Ray formerly known as “MLYB Studios” is a singer, songwriter and producer from Missoula Montana. Aydian has a wide variety of music with deep and catchy lines. Aydian had dreams of making music from a young age. Throughout high school Aydain would make songs inspired by artists from all different genres, although his main inspiration comes from XXXTentaction.
Sunday Swing! w/ Ed Norton Big Band
Sunday, July 5 // Doors & Lessons at 6:30 PM // Show at 7 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter **Dance lessons with Lindy Hop begin at 6:30** Get your dancing shoes on and spend a Sunday with hits from Ed Norton Big Band in The Show Room at the ZACC! The Ed Norton Big Band was founded around 1987 after trombonists Tom Wogsland and Scot Ray performed in the pit Orchestra for Missoula Children’s Theatre’s first production of The 1940’s Radio Hour – and didn’t want to stop. Since then the 18 piece band, made up of Missoula musicians from multiple generations, has been a staple of traditional and modern big band music throughout western Montana. Ed Norton Big Band has a long history of entertaining audiences of all ages from birthday parties, fundraisers, Out to Lunch, Second Sunday Jazz, and First Night. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Sturtz Duo w/ Heavy Diamond Ring
Wednesday, July 22 // Doors at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $12 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter NPR’s All Songs Considered described Sturtz as “a reassuring breath of fresh air that pulls me back to simpler times.”The group is serene and folksy, with melodic vocals soaring over the lower string instrumentals. Sturtz released their second studio album Hyacinth in September 2024, and they’re hard at work writing songs for their next album now. When they’re not playing music, you’ll probably find them gardening, honing in on their photography skills, or parading their giant dog around town. Some things are just meant to last. When Sarah Anderson and Paul DeHaven met and began playing together in 2004, they had no idea just how deep the well of their musical partnership would prove to be. After the disbanding of indie-folk sweethearts Paper Bird, the duo founded Heavy Diamond Ring and never looked back. HDR is the culmination (thus far) of their signature sound, a fountain of open-hearted, folk-rock, steeped in vocal harmony and group synergy. Led by Anderson’s smooth-as-honey vocals and DeHaven’s rugged guitar chops, the band has been described as “open-road, long drive music”, having “a little bit of twang, and a whole lot of beef”, and their live show as “infectious and contagious”. The band is rounded out by veteran knockouts Blake Stepan (bass), Mike Lang (keys), and Orion Tate Ignelzi (drums). Their second full-length LP, “All Out of Angels”, out this fall, was produced by Ben Wysocki (the Fray) and Mark Anderson and features a duet with Nathaniel Rateliff. Out now on Cowboy Cowabunga Recordings. “Heavy Diamond Ring creates a sound that feels as classic as rolling down the windows in the summer – a super highway to a new frontier.” -303 Magazine “…a helping of contemporary indie-folk that goes down easy, augmented by some subtle, snaky guitar work, walls of harmony vocals and Anderson’s attention-grabbing vocals.” -CS Indy
Fundraiser for The Center
Sunday, May 24 // Doors at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Super Supporter Help us raise money for The Center! Raffles and prizes too! The Naked Limbs play music with rocks in it. Now they’re releasing a record with rocks in it. Celebrate the rocks with rocks with them. Serpentina is a new Missoula rawk band. Big drums, big fuzz, big guitars, big vocals. No big deal. Punk-metal-other-stuff influenced if you need to split hairs. Pilots We’ve Known is a post-punk/post-hardcore band from Missoula, Mt. purpose-built in early 2017 as an emotional outlet against the noises of our time. They use elaborate arrangements, angular chords and riffs and dynamic vocals to produce an emotional cacophony as the backdrop to attention-grabbing lyrics. After a three year hiatus Pilots We’ve Known are back at it with a crushing-loud vengeance.
Donkey Island w/ Stiff Jeans & Isle of Huldra
Thursday, June 11 // Doors at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $12 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter More than an isolated land mass, Donkey Island is a state of mind. Founded by former members of Blessiddoom, Juveniles and the Bowie tribute band Glass Spiders, this trio of Missoula dads needed a space to unwind. Saxophone player Nathan Hoyme birthed this trio when he was finally ready to share a trove of songs for guitar which he had been secretly writing for decades. He called on power groovster Al Gooday to lay down some bass in order to electrify Nathan’s secret angsty ballads. Paul Rosen plugged in some heavy beats and brought his own secret songs which had been trying to escape his head since he was a teenager. With hints of sounds from classic Minnesota 80s Rock to alt-country and even grooves that’ll get you shaking that ass, a visit to Donkey Island is sure to quench anyone’s thirst for electric noise. Fresh off their world tour, Stiff Jeans needs no introduction. Their covers of your favorite 90s alternative songs will take you to heaven tonight, tomorrow, and always. Isle of Huldra is a heavy, melodic post-rock band out of Missoula Montana, channeling the raw dirty power of desert rock into towering walls of sound. Driven by crushing riffs, atmospheric textures, and the haunting interplay of two female voices, the band blends beauty and weight into one immersive sonic experience — equal parts raw, calibrated and hypnotic.
Writers in the Round
Wednesday, June 10 // Doors at 6:30 PM // Show at 7 PM // $12 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Montana Songwriters Collective presents Writers in the Round, an intimate evening of original songs and the stories behind the music, featuring Andrea Harsell, Andre Floyd, Chris Pumphrey, and Lee Rizzo. Inspired by the classic songwriter-in-the-round format, the evening brings together four Montana artists for a night of songs, storytelling, and creative connection in an intimate listening-room setting. Andrea Harsell Andrea Harsell is a Montana singer-songwriter rooted in folk, blues, country, bluegrass, and jazz. Born and raised in Missoula, she has spent decades performing original music across the United States, with appearances in Canada, Hawaii, and Japan. Known for her powerful voice and emotionally honest songwriting, Andrea brings warmth, spontaneity, and deep audience connection to every performance. Her songs are shaped by story, place, resilience, and lived experience. Her work is also featured in the documentary film A Place (Sort Of): The Ultimate Missoula Movie. Learn more at andreaharsell.com. Andre Floyd Andre Floyd is a singer-songwriter originally from Great Falls and a longtime respected member of the Montana music community. His 1998 release Lapis, released on his Tapas Records label, remains the only local release to receive regular commercial airplay on Missoula’s premier rock station, Z-100. A songwriter for more than five decades, Floyd has written over 200 songs and released four studio albums, with a fifth currently in progress. He also helped pioneer Missoula’s recording scene through Tapas Recording Studio, the city’s first commercial computer-based recording studio. Chris Pumphrey Chris Pumphrey grew up surrounded by music and received his first guitar at age ten. He began writing and performing original music in his twenties and has been part of the Missoula music community for more than twenty years. Over the past year, Chris has studied with Grammy-winning songwriters while continuing to deepen his craft. He currently performs with the Chris Pumphrey Band and is preparing to release a collaborative album featuring original songs and contributions from more than two dozen Montana musicians and singers. Lee Rizzo Lee Rizzo is a humanist folk artist, poet, songwriter, and movement performer. Raised in Missoula’s arts community, she spent her youth appearing at open mics and downtown pubs, often sitting in with her dad’s band, Treated and Released. After earning a BA in dance from the University of Montana, Lee performed in a wide range of theatrical and musical productions and released her debut solo album, Moon Light Moon. Her music and lyrics reflect her inner world and illuminate the love present all around. Learn more at leerizzo.com and hear Moon Light Moon on Bandcamp.
Hudson Power Company
Monday, July 27 // Doors at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $12 ADV // $15 DOS Hudson Powder Company’s music is about synesthesia – where a person perceives certain sounds as having distinct colors or tastes. I have a mild case of it – whenever I hear a univibe pedal I get the feeling that the sound it is making is somehow purple. In my view, every band that’s worth anything does a kind of painting with synesthetic associations. A single sound might have a color, but the great bands and artists are the ones who knew how to make the right colors play together in some way. I don’t know of anyone ever trying to “paint” Idaho and the Inland Northwest in this way – trying to uproot this kind of mood that’s implicit in our landscapes. That mood was already in nature, wanting out. Our group is trying to let it out, in one way. But I do believe that the Lexicon LXP-1 Digital Reverb “sounds” like a blue sagebrush, the bass guitar “sounds” like volcanic basalt somehow. The lyrics to the songs are what they are, they just say what they mean like any other lyric. But they’re supposed to be set against a kind of backdrop – the high desert that most people fly over or drive through and never pay much mind to. There’s something there though, some kind of a landscape of sounds that has been mostly ignored… like a fossil. Thanks for reading. Spotify
