Missoula’s Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Music Lovers

Music has been a focus of my life ever since I can remember. It is one of the reasons I got into radio as a career. I spent hours listening to the radio at night. I would call the DJs, and request songs. I knew my career path wasn't going to be as a rockstar, but that hasn't stopped me from continuing to enjoy listening to and playing music.

The holiday season is ramping up, and Missoula has a ton of options for the music lovers in your life. Everything from playing music to simply sitting back and listening to some of the finest musicians around. As you are making your holiday list and checking it twice, keep some of these local places in mind for the music lovers in your life.

Instruments

Electronic Sound and Percussion (ESP) - Located at 819 South Higgins. If you are looking for quality gear for the musicians in your life, the crew at ESP will treat you right. They are always appreciative of their customers, whether they are first-time buyers, or famous touring musicians making their way through Missoula. They appreciate everyone who is involved with music. If you are looking for drums, guitars, bass guitars, PA systems, you will be able to find a lot of it at ESP.

Morgenroth Music Center - Located at 1105 West Sussex. Not everyone will be a rockstar. Morgenroth are your instrument rental headquarters for musicians that are looking for everything from a trumpet, to an oboe. If you are looking for a violin or a cello, they've got you covered. If you are looking for sheet music, from beginners to advanced, they can get it for you.

Rattlesnake Cable Company - For those that need to plug in their instruments, it doesn't get much better than the Rattlesnake Cable Company, manufactured right here in Missoula. They offer multiple custom cable options, if you need to plug that guitar, bass, or microphone in, they have a cable for you.

Music Stores

Missoula is very lucky to have three incredible record stores that offer a variety of new and used vinyl.

Ear Candy Music - 624 South Higgins. Ear Candy Music has been "slinging the wax since 1998". If you are looking hard to find vinyl, or imports get a hold of Ear Candy. If cassettes or CDs are more your thing, they can help you  out.

Rockin' Rudy's Record Heaven - 845 Ronan Street. An offshoot of the iconic Rockin' Rudy's store, that has something for everyone, and their record store is no different. If you are looking for new or used vinyl or turntables, you can swing by and talk to the experts.

Slant Street Records - 1413 South Higgins. The newest of the three record stores, Slant Street, also offers a large selection of vinyl and they also buy and sell used vinyl.

Music Venues

Missoula is also spoiled when it comes to the quality of live music.

Washington-Grizzly Stadium - With three historic and epic shows at the venue in 2024, we can add this one to the list of music venues. We will see if there will be more big names coming to this venue in 2025.

Kettlehouse Amphitheater - The Kettlehouse Amphitheater has just been voted as one of the best music venues in the country again. The number of amazing musicians that have played that venue is a long one and it has only been open for 7 years.

Historic Wilma Theater - 131 South Higgins. After renovations and improvements over the years, the Wilma continues to draw amazing bands in one of the more intimate venues in Missoula. It is also awesome to be in such a historic venue.

The Top Hat- 134 West Front Street. The Top hat has been through a lot of renovations and is a very intimate venue to see some amazing acts as they tour through Missoula.

Union Club - 208 East Main. If you are looking for some live music that you can dance the night away this is the place to be.

The Sunrise Saloon/The Dark Horse - 1101 Strand and 1805 Regent. These two venues have two separate addresses and the music that is featured in both places couldn't be further apart, but the building is connected. The Sunrise Saloon features some of Missoula's best country music. The Dark Horse features some of the hardest rock you will find anywhere in Montana.

ZACC - 216 West Main Street. The Zootown Arts and Community Center is another venue that has a variety of live music options. They host album release parties, as well as comedy nights and you may get the chance to hear the Missoula Collective Music Ensemble perform.

Free Cycles - 732 South 1st Street West. By day Free Cycles is the place to go for fixing your bicycle. But the space also doubles as a venue for some live music from some of Missoula's best up and coming acts. You also can get some pick up some West African Hand-Drumming lessons.

Whether your holiday shopping list is for people who like to play music or listen to music, Missoula really does have something for everyone.