The Best Concerts to Come through Missoula (and by default, Montana)
There are hundreds (thousands?) of reasons why students choose the University of Montana for college. One of those reasons? Missoula gets the best concerts in the state. Here is our recap of the best big shows to pass through town over the last few years.
1. Pearl Jam (2012)
Remember the time we had Eddie Vedder in the Adams Center? Yeah – that Eddie Vedder. You know, master ukulelist and one of the defining characters in the 90s grunge movement, up there with Soundgarden, Nirvana, and the Chili Peps. More interesting is bassist Jeff Ament is a true Montana boy. Hailing from Havre, MT, Ament gives this band a special Big Sky connection. In 2012, Pearl Jam stopped through Missoula for a benefit concert in honor of Senator Jon Tester, a friend of the band (he reportedly taught Ament to play bass!). This was the band’s second time through Missoula since 2005.
2. Paul McCartney (2014)
This past summer, Sir Paul McCartney of Liverpool, England – known best for his career in Wings band and some hipster British band called The Beatles – gave Missoula the largest concert in state history. 25,000 people came out to see the 72-year-old legend at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The city reeled helplessly in the aftermath for an entire month. Rumor has it McCartney skinny dipped in the Clark Fork while singing “Let It Be” to an otter.
3. The Rolling Stones (2006)
The Stones came to town in 2006, complete with fireworks, a moving stage, and those big lip things. As part of their “A Bigger Bang” tour, the Stones made their Montana debut to a sold-out crowd of 22,000 people. I think this picture says most of it. Let me get out of here before I make a “Moves Like Jagger” joke.
4. Foo Fighters (2011)
If Nirvana was the 2012 Oklahoma City Thunder, then David Grohl would be James Harden. He was part of something great and found more personal success out on his own. In 2011, Grohl and the Foo Fighters played for the first time in Missoula. The unbelievable show featured a roaring Adams Center crowd that greeted one of the most genuinely human, down-to-earth rock bands of all time. David Grohl himself is known for his especially awesome deeds. They’ll be back. Just you wait.
5. Smashing Pumpkins (2012)
It wasn’t even supposed to happen. The Smashing Pumpkins stopped in Missoula for a surprise show at the Wilma while making their way to Everett, Washington. And we’re super glad they did. This iconic 90s band, fronted by Billy Corgan and his nostalgic bald head, played to a sold-out theater despite the shows clandestine nature. Local lore says Billy’s bald head even wandered around downtown Missoula later that night in search of some grub.
6. Elton John (2007)
Sir Elton Hercules John came not once, but twice to Missoula. I’m not sure how much it cost to bring him here, but let me ask you this: was it worth the trouble? Obviously. We got Elton John. Twice.
You may know Elton John for having the second most misheard lyric of all time, regarding a line in “Tiny Dancer” often misquoted as “Hold me closer, Tony Danza.” I wonder if Missoulians corrected themselves by the second show?
7. Bonus Round – Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Alright, so the Mack ain’t no rock band. But when you hear a bunch of Missoulians sing “Same Love” in sync with the man himself, you really won’t care. Macklemore even liked us so much that he came back, and this time around, he wore a No. 37 Griz jersey (see pic).
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