Stapleton, Top & Jinks Lead 2026’s Under The Big Sky Festival in a Triumphant Return to Montana’s Wild Heart
- All Country News
- 40 minutes ago
- 3 min read
When the sun sets over Big Mountain Ranch, the Montana sky does something magical, it opens up wide and endless, a painted backdrop for stories told in twang, grit, and song. Next summer, that expanse will once again come alive as Under The Big Sky returns to Whitefish, Montana, from July 17–19, 2026, with its biggest and boldest lineup yet.
Anchoring the festival’s seventh year is none other than Chris Stapleton, marking his long-awaited Under The Big Sky debut. The 11-time GRAMMY winner’s voice, equal parts bourbon and backbone, has redefined the sound of modern American roots music. With his arrival, Under The Big Sky solidifies its place not just as a music festival, but as a cultural summit for the spirit of the American West.
Joining Stapleton are two artists who embody the festival’s outlaw soul: Zach Top, whose traditionalist flair and sharp songwriting have made him a flagbearer for country’s new classic revival, and Cody Jinks, the Texas troubadour whose brand of raw, whiskey-soaked truth-telling has earned him one of the most loyal fanbases in country music. Together, the trio represents three generations of modern Americana storytellers, authentic, unpolished, and unmistakably real.
But as any Under The Big Sky veteran knows, the headliners are just the tip of the mountain. This year’s lineup reads like a love letter to roots music in all its shades: Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen bring the dust and fire of the desert, Marcus King Band delivers a masterclass in Southern rock soul, and Charles Wesley Godwin continues to carry the Appalachian torch with his deeply poetic songwriting.
Elsewhere, Stephen Wilson Jr. blurs genre lines with his rock-fueled country grit, Kaitlin Butts brings her cosmic cowgirl theatrics, and the Hogslop String Band—the only act to play every year of the festival—returns to keep the dance floors muddy and the spirits high.
In a surprising and refreshing twist, Under The Big Sky 2026 also welcomes Of Monsters and Men for their festival debut, expanding the festival’s soundscape to the indie-folk horizon. Rising talents like Oregon’s Max McNown, bluegrass innovators Greensky Bluegrass, and Americana stalwarts Old Crow Medicine Show will share the bill with up-and-coming artists including Rattlesnake Milk, Ocie Elliott, Cole Chaney, Gabriella Rose, and The Brudi Brothers, ensuring that every corner of the weekend hums with discovery.
Of course, Under The Big Sky is more than a lineup, it’s an experience. Set on a 350-acre working ranch just a short ride from Glacier National Park, the festival merges music, rodeo, and the raw beauty of the land itself. Picture this: a steel guitar solo echoing across the valley as riders thunder through the rodeo ring, or the laughter of families near the creek as bull riders square off against the dust. With events like barrel racing, team roping, and bronc riding, the weekend is a seamless blend of Montana tradition and modern musical rebellion.
In true Big Sky fashion, the festival also champions its local roots, giving the spotlight to homegrown talent including Archertown, Hannah King, Michelle Rivers, Radio Ranch, Tomara, Blue Point, Kyle Hunter Band, and Bozeman’s own Madeline Hawthorne, proving that Montana’s musical heart beats strong and proud.
Fans of all ages are welcome, with 3-Day GA and VIP passes available (and free GA passes for the littlest cowboys and cowgirls under 36"). Early access begins with the SMS presale on Friday, November 7 at 10 AM MT by texting OUTRIDERS to (406) 341-2944, followed by the general on-sale at 2 PM MT.
In a world where festivals often blur together, Under The Big Sky stands alone, part rodeo, part revival, and pure, untamed country soul. Come July, beneath that endless Montana sky, the music won’t just echo, it’ll linger.
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