Magic Castles w/ Sasha Bell Band & J.A.D.E.
Monday, November 10 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Minneapolis’ musician Jason Edmonds started self-releasing music as the Magic Castles in the late aughts, and has since refined his dreamy take on psychedelic music, creating a lush Byrdsian soundscape that has grown more clear and direct over time. Known for her work with New York baroque ensemble Ladybug Transistor and Elephant 6 psych pop group, The Essex Green, Sasha Bell is a multi-faceted performer and musician most heralded for her sweetly melodic vocals and lithe instrumentation. She currently lives in Missoula. MT with band members John Fleming, Bryan Ramirez, Chris Bacon and Colin Johnson. J.A.D.E. is a high-energy band hailing from the mountains of small-town Western Montana. Their wide variety of influences shines brightly in their songs. This unique, not quite rock, not exactly pop sound with an edgy punk rock twist is addictive. They send driving rhythms, interwoven melodies, and powerful vocals straight through your ears deep into your heart and soul. When on stage they are focused on bringing a sound that inspires everyone to get on their feet and dance like the universe depends on it.
The Surf vs. Turf Brawl
Saturday, November 15 // Doors and Music at 7 PM // $5-$15 Sliding Scale Join us for a night of wrestling, silly mascots, and live music. Proceeds go to supporting Switchback Records and its goal to support local artists.
Jeffrey Foucault w/ Christopher Dombrowski
Sunday, November 2 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $20 ADV // $25 DOS **limited seating available! In two decades on the road Jeffrey Foucault has become one of the most distinctive voices in American music, refining a sound instantly recognizable for its simplicity and emotional power. With a string of critically acclaimedstudio albums – “Stark, literate songs that are as wide open as the landscape of his native Midwest” (The New Yorker), “Beat-up troubadour folk whittled to dolorous perfection” (Uncut), “Songwriting Brilliance,” (Irish Times) – he’s built a brick-and-mortar international touring career and a devoted following, one that includes luminaries like Van Dyke Parks, Greil Marcus, and Don Henley. In September of 2024 Jeffrey Foucault will release THE UNIVERSAL FIRE (Fluff & Gravy, 9/6/24), his first album of entirely new material since 2018. Aseries of high-voltage performances cut live in one room, the album is both aworking wake – Foucault lost his best friend and drummer Billy Conway, to cancer in 2021 – and a meditation on the nature of beauty, artifact, and loss. Augmenting Foucault’s all-star band with members of Calexico and Bon Iver (drummer John Convertino and producer/saxophonist Mike Lewis) THE UNIVERSAL FIRE sets Conway’s death against the massive 2008 fire at the Universal Studios lot in California that destroyed the master recordings of some of our bedrock American music, to interrogate ideas about mortality,legacy, meaning, and calling.
ROCKTOBER VOL. 5
Friday, October 31 // Doors at 7:30 PM // Music at 8 PM // $15 ROCKtober is back with an epic line-up of favorite local bands and musicians in costume, covering an array of bands and styles! Costumes strongly encouraged!
Pay No Mind w/ Operative, The Lords of This World, Skadget, & Piled Out
Sunday, October 26 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Pay No Mind is a skate punk band with hardcore and thrash influences consisting of former members of Stoned to Death and Super Sport (Great Falls). They have taken Missoula by storm opening for touring bands and supporting the local music scene. Two of their members are students at the U of M and have played shows on campus and supported headliner acts throughout town. Skadget is a psychedelic dive into the subconscious waters of this hallucination called life. Born in the monster mindscape of Dead Ed, Skadget sat in a stew of bubbling muck for years, unable to find life. But when that seed of a thought finally made contact with Dead’s friends D.L. Johnson and Carson Smith (and Juxtabunny in the psyrealms) it was jolted to life as the hydra you see before you!
Mount Pom w/ Minot, & Dylan Running Crane
Sunday, October 19 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Mount Pom is the work of a Frostburg, MD based artist named Koda Murphy. She started performing early in 2019 and put out a self recorded demo EP at the end of the same year. In 2023 she finished the recording of her first studio recorded album, Eating Up the Mountains. It was recorded at The Warren with Matt Wocjik. She writes songs for thought daughters and former (or current) emo kids. Minot is a lo-fi garage punk baking mixture made of two parts Midwestern and a dash of Northern New England. The shortest distance between two sonic points is made by leaving no room for lengthy melodic banter. Drenched in reverb to cover their inadequacies; This band has a driving rhythm of Mo Tucker’s brother and the belief that less is always more. Minot because….Why not? Dylan Running Crane is a singer-songwriter from Browning, Montana, a place that remains the subject of most of her work. Her vibe is country meets rez-folk meets tender and silly. Check out her work with Cry Baby – https://crybabymissoula.bandcamp.com/track/missoula
The Golden Ghouls
Thursday, October 9 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 8 PM // $20 // $25 VIP Ticket // $15 Student & Senior **VIP Tickets include VIP seating & a photo with the girls! PIcture it: Halloween 2025 🧡 Your favorite golden aged grannies have been asked to perform at the Shady Pines Halloween Ball, BUT – Just as the show is about to start Sophia has gone missing! 🖤 Is this a Halloween trick or has she fled back to Palermo? 🎃 Dorothy as the Bride of Frankenstein? Blanche is a Vampire? Rose … is dressed as a Christmas elf?! 🔪 Will the girls find Sophia before the finale? Will they make it home in time to watch Psycho? 🦇 Travel down the spooky road and back again to find out! One lucky audience member will become the next Ma, uh, Mummy, uh, #TokenSophia
Goth Ball
Saturday, October 18 // 8 PM to Midnight // $15 It’s time for the Montana Goth Ball! Release the bats Saturday, October 18 at the ZACC! DJs GingerBat and Sister Midnight will bring you the spookiest tunes along with LIVE performances by Negative Gain recording artist Order of The Static Temple, as well as Academy Order. DJs will rotate throughout the night, so be ready to DANCE! This is your excuse to dress up and party! Gothic, leather, punk, Victorian, latex, lace (if in doubt, wear black). Dress to DEPRESS! For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Devin Gray w/ Loren Stillman & Bill Kautz’s Golden Mean
Sunday, September 28 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $20 Devin Gray (1983, Portland Maine, USA) is a distinguished drummer, composer, and bandleader known for his innovative contributions to contemporary jazz. Since relocating to New York City in 2006, Gray has become a prominent figure in the jazz community, collaborating with esteemed musicians such as David Liebman, Gary Thomas, Tony Malaby, and Nate Wooley. He currently divides his time between Brooklyn and Berlin, engaging with diverse musical scenes. Gray’s discography as a leader showcases his versatility and commitment to pushing musical boundaries. His debut album,”Dirigo Rataplan”(2012), featured notable artists Ellery Eskelin, Dave Ballou, and Michael Formanek, and was praised for its complex and intimate compositions. He continued this trajectory with “RelativE ResonancE”(2015), collaborating with Chris Speed, Kris Davis, and Chris Tordini, further establishing his reputation as a forward-thinking composer. In 2021, Gray released “Melt All the Guns,” a politically charged trio album featuring trumpeter Ralph Alessi and pianist Angelica Sanchez, addressing the pressing issue of gun violence in the United States. The following year, he presented “27 Licks,” a duet with fellow drummer Gerald Cleaver, highlighting his adventurous spirit and deep musical rapport. In 2023 Gray released “Most Definitely” as his first solo drum recording showcases his innovative approach to percussion, blending acoustic drumming with electronic elements to create a dynamic and immersive listening experience. The album reflects on modern themes, as seen in tracks like “Bad WiFi,””Doom Scrolling,” and “Crypto Punks,” which mirror contemporary digital experiences. Critics have praised “Most Definitely”for its rapid turnover of ideas and broad spectrum of extremes. The album’s strength lies in its eloquent orchestration of blended electronics balanced with Gray’s high-level improvisational performances. This release marks a significant milestone in Gray’s career, highlighting his growth as a forward-thinking creative artist committed to pushing the boundaries of percussion and improvisation. Gray’s most recent project,”Melt All the Guns II”(2024), continues his exploration of socially conscious themes, this time featuring Ralph Alessi and French pianist Myslaure Augustin. The album comprises tracks like “East Berlin 2024” and “Audre Lorde Straße,” reflecting his engagement with contemporary issues and global perspectives. Throughout his career, Gray has maintained a dynamic presence in the international jazz scene, performing at venues and festivals worldwide. His collaborations span a wide range of artists, including Sylvie Courvoisier, Tim Berne, Michael Formanek, Zoh Amba, and Micah Thomas, among others. As a sideman, he has contributed to projects with Andrea Parkins, Satoko Fujii, Marc Ducret, and Eve Risser, showcasing his adaptability and commitment to musical innovation. Gray’s work is characterized by a relentless pursuit of quality and sincerity, as well as an exciting energy that propels him toward diverse musical directions. His compositions are noted for their complexity and engagement, often described as both brainy and intimate. As he continues to evolve as an artist, Devin Gray remains a compelling force in modern jazz, sharing his unique musical vision with audiences around the world.
Second Sunday Swing! w/ Ed Norton Big Band
Sunday, November 9 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter 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/.
