Logjam Partners With Brewery For New Shed

Logjam Presents in Missoula, Mont., has announced it will construct a 4,000-capacity amphitheater in Bonner in collaboration with a locally based brewing company.  

The KettleHouse Amphitheater, taking its namesake from KettleHouse Brewing Co., will be constructed alongside the Blackfoot River.

The brewing company purchased the site and land surrounding a former mill just outside of Missoula to construct a brewing facility on the property, according to The Missoulian. Nick Checota, founder of Logjam Presents and owner of The Wilma Theater and Top Hat Lounge in Missoula, told Pollstar he was already friends with brewery co-owner Tim O’Leary.

CTA Architects – Kettlehouse Amphitheatre
An artist rendering of the KettleHouse Amphitheater in Bonner, Mont. The outdoor venue will host shows for up to 4,000 next year.

“Western Montana does not have a permanent, great outdoor venue. We saw a need there,” Checota said. With the closest outdoor destination venues like the Gorge Amphitheatre and Red Rocks Amphitheatre hours away, Checota said he felt the same communities that have been selling out shows at The Wilma and Top Hat would support the new amphitheater.

“The number of tickets and the manner of sellouts in what is being defined as a tertiary market is unbelievable,” he said. “We sold out Gorge Amphitheatre in seven minutes. … Missoula’s support for music is pretty unbelievable.”

The recently revamped sound system at The Wilma is more than capable of functioning as the sound system at the new amphitheater, Checota said, and he plans on using the system between both venues as necessary.

While the harsh Montana winter will restrict the amphitheatre season, Checota said the natural beauty of the Blackfoot River will make the KettleHouse a prime destination for about 12-20 shows from late May to September. Construction is expected to wrap by May and shows will likely start in June or July.