History of the Barnburner
1997
Location
The Barn, Stevensville MT
Bands
H.E.R.B. (Higher Earth Reggae Band)
Jelly
Overview
It began in the woods full of the initial energy that represents what Montana is all about. Rustic and Rootsie would describe the gathered tents, buses and a small generator to power the barns. This kick off took the very best of home grown local bands, beer and food. It set a tone and lively hood for many artist, musicians, and productions in Missoula and throughout ever since. It started a legacy of not just events, but a new way of life for those folks that retreated their lives of elsewhere to come together in the small mountain town of Missoula.
Although the sounds of H.E.R.B. (Higher Earth Reggae Band) and Jelly set the pace for the evening, the true now highlight of the party was when a bus parked near The Barn somehow set itself a fire by means of a propane tank. It was, at the time, a very balls to the wall happening. It did not phase partygoers, it just fueled them into the early hours of the morning and gave the party another handle – THE BUS BURNER.