Out-of-State Music Festivals Montanans Can Travel To This Summer

Summer is almost upon us which means concert season is almost upon us. It's one of the best seasons of the year.

Kettlehouse Amphitheater kicks off its summer slate on May 15 with Needtobreathe accompanied by Judah and the Lion. It is the first of 7 concerts I'm attending this summer, but you can never have too many concerts to attend. I went ahead and compiled a list of music festivals and concerts outside of Montana, but in the region(ish), you can make a trip out of this summer. If you're a music and travel lover then this list is for you.

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Watershed Music Festival (August 2-4 at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Gorge, WA)

Make the trip to George, Washington to check out Watershed Music Festival's country music gathering. Some of the biggest names in country music since 2010 will be there.

Headliners: 

• Luke Bryan
• Old Dominion
• Hardy
• Riley Green
• Cole Swindell
• Koe Wetzel
• Maddie & Tae

Outlaw Music Festival (Gorge, Spokane, Boise)

If you're into old-school, outlaw country music more than the newer stuff check out the traveling Outlaw Music Festival. You have three chances to check out this star-studded lineup out West: August 7 in Boise, ID (Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater), August 9 in Spokane, WA (ONE Spokane Stadium) or August 10 in George, WA (Gorge Amphitheatre).

Headliners:

• Willie Nelson
• Bob Dylan
• John Mellencamp
• Billy Strings (only at the Gorge)

Boise Music Festival (June 22 at Expo Idaho in Boise, ID)

The Boise Music Festival will give you an eclectic mix of music this June. If your playlists are all over the place then this is your day.

Headliners:

• Dustin Lynch
• Jason Derulo
• CeeLo Green

ND Country Fest (July 10-13 at Morton Co. Fairgrounds in New Salem ND)

Another great country fest for our friends to the East. Go check out the World's Largest Holstein Cow to see some BIG stars at the ND Country Fest.

Headliners:

• Dierks Bentley
• Riley Green
• Clint Black
• Michael Ray
• Diamond Rio
• Easton Corbin

Day In Day Out (July 12-14 at Fisher Pavillion in Seattle, WA)

An alternative festival headlined by a favorite of mine (Hippo Campus) hits Seattle this July if you want a trip to the big city.

Headliners: 

• The Head and the Heart
• Carly Rae Jepsen
• Peach Pit
• Hippo Campus
• Bleachers

Fairwell Festival (July 19-21 at Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, OR)

This may be my favorite lineup of the entire article. The Fairwell Festival in Oregon is loaded with elite Americana/Folk acts.

Headliners:

• Billy Strings
• Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit
• Colter Wall
• Caamp
• Ryan Bingham
• Leann Rimes
• Brandi Carlile

Country Fan Fest (July 24-27 at Deseret Peak Complex in Tooele, UT)

Another 4-day country festival down in beautiful Utah. These are mostly new names from the aforementioned concerts as well.

Headliners:

• Riley Green
• Bailey Zimmerman
• Jon Pardi
• Chase Rice
• Tracy Lawrence
• Russell Dickerson
• Aaron Watson

Project Pabst (July 27-28 at Waterfront Park in Portland, OR)

Head back to Portland for Project Pabst to see a variety of throwback BANGERS.

Headliners:

• Billy Idol
• T-Pain
• Violent Femmes

There are plenty of other festivals to attend but here's a good starting point to get your summer off to a rocking start.