Another amazing birthday show is in the bag! Thank you for another next level sold out show and all around memorable night for The 17th Blaze Birthday Bash.

Three piece instrumental band Russian Circles kicked off the festivities with some, as one concert goer described it, "trippy shit." Honestly, I've never ever seen so many people squeezed into the Wilma for an opening band. During the intermission prior to the Eagles of Death Metal set, you would have expected people to head up to the bar so you could move forward, but not so much. Missoulians were there to see EODM and they weren't budging.

Jesse "Boots" Hughes took the stage looking super rock n' roll in a white shirt and slacks, clearly excited to play to a completely sold out crowd on the first show of the tour. Brent Hinds of Mastodon guested on guitar for their opening song "I Only Want You." Jesse was experiencing some guitar troubles but that didn't stop him from playing like he was born with the instrument in his hands, and dancing his ass off.

Highlights during the set, made up mostly of songs from the latest EODM album 'Zipper Down,' included the introduction of new bass player, Miss Jennie Vee; Jesse proudly waving the Mastodon flag; a bra being thrown on stage, which Jesse happily welcomed, explaining that he stays in the business for a reason "and two of them are right there;" and witnessing the legendary Dave Catching of Kyuss slay.

Just days prior to kicking off their headlining tour in Missoula, Mastodon got the news that their new album 'Emperor of Sand' had debuted at #7 on the Top 200 Billboard Chart, and was officially the best selling album in the country, across all genres. So they were definitely ready to rock.

Check out the photos above (courtesy of Official Rockstar Radio), and thank you again for supporting this radio station for 17 years, and for your never ending love, support and encouragement of live rock in our community.

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