You can see in the lineup for Rocky Mountain Riff Fest 2024 that the festival, which is set for April 20 in Kalispell, Montana, is expanding its reach. Yes, Wizzerd, Sorcia, Merlock, The Gray Goo and Spliffripper have played before — The Old Ones played Erosion Festival in 2016; I remember thinking that looked awesome and it did — but returning parties are accompanied by newcomers like Lord Velvet, Chokesetter and Hot Milk and the Flower Pallets, who play the pre-show, and I think they’ll have two stages going and Mos Generator are popping eastward from their home in Port Orchard, Washington, which is probably like a 40-hour drive or something, to headline. I’d go to this in a second, man. That’s a good way to spend a day, and you’re in Kalispell, which looks gorgeous.

The full lineup was announced on social media — I know, crazy, right? — and notes a venue change that looks like it’ll actually be pretty cool having it all in one place. Dig:

FULL LINEUP HAS ARRIVED!

We’re excited to reveal the lineup for #rmrf2024! We are welcoming back some heavy hitters, and introducing some bands to the Flathead valley for the first time.

-MOS GENERATOR-
-SORCIA-
-LORD VELVET-
-MERLOCK-
-CHOKESETTER-
-WIZZERD-
-GREASE CULT-
-THE GRAY GOO-
-THE OLD ONES-
-SURFBAT-
-SCHTICKY-
-SPLIFFRIPPER-
-FREE DRUGS-
-HOT MILK AND THE FLOWER PALLETS-

In years past, Riff Fest has been a block party between the legendary @oldschoolrecords134 and the Eagles in downtown Kalispell. Facing the closure of the 1st Street location of OSR, we are now taking over two levels of the Eagles! It’s going to be a party in the whole building, with our traditional free pre-party at the Glacier Park VFW.

We are also proud to bring on some local sponsors who are stoked to help bring some killer music to the valley!

-ALTITUDE-
-WHEATON’S-
-BIAS BREWING-

Spread the word, and see everybody in April!
🏔🤘🏔

Artwork by @isaacpasswaterillustration

Sorcia, Lost Season (2023)

You had me at Loin Hammer. That’s gotta be one of the best band names I’ve seen in the last couple years, at least. They’re somewhat thrashier than one might expect given the riffy foundations of many of the other bands, but they’re still called Loin Hammer, which is enough to make it an automatic win if you see them live. Imagine being able to say, “yeah, I’ve seen Loin Hammer.” If you’re the type to get a tattoo, that’d be a good one.

You’ll note return appearances from Merlock, Wizzerd, Swamp Ritual and The Gray Goo from last year’s Rocky Mountain Riff Fest. That says to me that in addition to an all-dayer-plus-pre-show-the-night-before, this is also a party and a reunion of friends. Pulling from the Pacific Northwest, the native Montana underground, Las Vegas and beyond, the lineup looks right on for a killer day of up and coming acts.

I looked back at what I said about the 2022 edition, and my impression was largely the same; it’s an intimate enough event that by the time it’s over everybody is going to know everybody. That kind of thing creates a sense of community which sticks as a defining factor as festivals expand — the return performances slated for 2023 are another element in establishing that — and I don’t know if you’ve ever done an image search to see what Kalispell looks like, but if you’re traveling to this one you will probably not regret booking an extra day just to take in some of the surrounding scenery, which is stunning even in Chamber of Commerce photos.

And, as noted, Loin Hammer will be there. So there’s that.

From socials:

Rocky Mountain Riff Fest 2023

April 22 at Old School Records & Eagles, Kalispell, MT

(free pre-party April 21 at Glacier Park VFW Post 2252)

Very pleased to announce the lineup for this year’s edition of Rocky Mountain Riff Fest!

Epic art by @isaacpasswaterillustration

Lineup April 22:

Tigers on Opium
Sorcia
Sonolith
Grail
Twin Void
Wizzerd
Swamp Ritual
The Gray Goo
Loin Hammer
Lacoro

Pre-Party April 21:

Merlock
Night Witch
Uncommon Evolution

https://www.facebook.com/blackmagickbooking
https://instagram.com/rockymtnrifffest

Tigers on Opium, 503.420.6669.vol.two (2022)

Merlock, Onward Strides Colossus (2023)

A two-stage all-dayer with a killer pre-party the night before, Rocky Mountain Riff Fest 2022 looks like a gem. I know nothing about the Flathead Valley in Montana, or historic downtown Kalispell, where the event will take place, but they’ve put together a cool lineup with the likes of Mountain Tamer and Kadabra on board, and while I might not know all that much about Ncroflchr (from parts unknown) or Schticky, homegrown Montana acts like Swamp Ritual, Spliffripper and Wizzerd, along with Witch Bitch, ThroneStower and The Gray Goo, who’ll also play, speak to a burgeoning scene, and with LáGoon coming east from Oregon and Merlock doing the same from Washington, cutting across Idaho while Throne of Iron head north from Indiana, the fest is using its geography smartly to pull from the different regions surrounding. There’s a lot to dig here, and I bet the show(s) will be a good time.

I bet you go to this, you leave with new friends. If you’re traveling for it, I mean. This seems like the kind of thing where there’s going to be a bunch of people who already know each other, but I bet if you were to show up and be like, “Hi, I think your bands are cool,” you’d probably end up feeling like family by the end of the day. Sounds pretty nice, if you ask me. Also heavy. It’s a 37-hour drive for me, so I don’t think I’ll get there, but they make the prospect enticing.

Here’s the lineup, as per social media:

Rocky Mountain Riff Fest 2022

Rocky Mountain Riff Fest Returns!!

Our 2022 lineup! Stoked to have so many friends joining us this year. The party goes down April 22 and 23 – see everybody there!

LINEUP:
Main day 4/23:
Mountain Tamer (CA)
Throne of Iron (IN)
LáGoon (OR)
Merlock (WA)
Wizzerd (MT)
Witch Bitch (MT)
ThroneStower (MT)
The Gray Goo (MT)
Schticky (MT)
Ncroflchr (???)

Eagles 234 and Old School Records – $20 for all day

Preparty 4/22:
Kadabra (WA)
Swamp Ritual (MT)
Spliffripper (MT)

Glacier Park VFW Post 2252 – 10pm – 21+ –

Heavy Riffs and good times in the mountains of the Flathead Valley, Montana.

https://www.facebook.com/events/517002376483902/
https://www.facebook.com/blackmagickbooking

Mountain Tamer, “Living in Vain Pt. II” from ‘Live in the Mojave Desert’