For the second year since the *ahem* shut it down for the first time, Under The Big Sky returned to Whitefish in spectacular, star-studded fashion! Thousands of fans braved the 100° heat and turned up to see rodeo action, get delicious treats, and of course, hear loud & live country music.

There were two stages; Big Mountain & Great Northern. On the way to and from both, there were plenty of hydration stations, food vendors, and merch vendors (unfortunately by Sunday most of the merch had sold out - I was really looking forward to my own Lainey Wilson t-shirt, sad face)

The big names on Saturday's show were Jamey Johnson and Morgan Wade. Sunday's show was jam-packed with performances from Zach Bryan, Margo Price, Midland and Lainey Wilson.

Correction: 2x ACM Award Winner Lainey Wilson!

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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Mandolinist Sierra Hull on the Big Mountain Stage. More from her later...

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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This crowd turned up to see Zach Bryan on the Big Mountain Stage, that crowd got ROWDY!

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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Zach Bryan himself didn't disappoint, he performed songs from his new album "American Heartbreak" while fans sang along with every chorus.

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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One of the highlights of Sunday night was Margo Price - a countrified stick of lit dynamite who rocked the Big Mountain stage and later brought Sienna Hull back onstage for a few songs. Margo left it all on the stage, and we'd welcome her back anytime!

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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"Never Say never" "Heart Like A Truck" superstar Lainey Wilson took the Great Northern stage at 7:30 Sunday night. I wish I had better pictures to share with you but the soon-to-be setting sun was dead in our eyes by the time her set began. This shot of her singing "Dirty Looks" was the best my phone could muster from the press area.

Lainey also reminded the crowd that she'd be in the next season of "Yellowstone" as a singer named Abby, to a rousing cheers from her crowd. All around me were smiles for her entire one hour set.

Related: Lainey Wilson Cancels Shows Due To "Family Emergency"

Credit: Benny Edwin
Credit: Benny Edwin
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There was also rodeo events in between music sets. Can't have a festival without 'em! This was taken from the big hill overlooking the creek and Great Northern stage.

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Of course, I had to stop and say hey to the greatest human being ever to walk the Earth!

I'll be sharing more pictures with you as soon as I curate the gallery. My phone overheated several times that night recording video and taking so many pictures in the heat, maybe I ought to buy a dedicated digital camera for big events?

 

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