Live Music Recap: A Weekend of Local Music at The Top Hat

This previous weekend, June 16th through the 18th, downtown Missoula was filled with music. Though music in the air is far from abnormal, two local ensembles performed at The Top Hat who are worth a note. Take a moment of your time to reminisce, if you were there, or catch up, if you couldn’t make it.

Friday: Dinosaur Invasion

The local pack of dinosaurs known as Mesozoic Mafia filled the Top Hat’s stage with their 17 member troupe on Friday (Jun 16th). Screening The Land That Time Forgot on a side wall and dawning dino-gear, the group generated back to back sets of groovy beats and intellectual rhymes.

A surprise came right before the second song when, Thuggasaurus Flex (Tülin Kinaci) emerged out of a dino-egg to spit her verse. All-in-all, the band created a lively atmosphere on stage and in the audience.  Missoula seemed to know how to shake their “reptilian rumps,” on a full dance floor.

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Jun 22: The Flobots (The Top Hat | Local Opener!)
Aug 14: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (The Wilma)

Saturday: Psychedelic Rock and a Sea of Guitar Pedals

The local trio started Saturday evening with a guest set from Tiny Plastic Stars. For those unfamiliar with both bands, they consist of the same line up, but play from different repertoires of music. 

Tiny Plastic Stars, the moniker representing Riley Roberts’ songwriting, began the evening. Roberts’ unique high-pitch inflection is reminiscent of Kevin Parker (Tame Impala). The group played Randy’s Desert, a piece off their anticipated album Sleepy Eyes (more album info).

Following a quick set break and instrument change, Charcoal Squid took the stage. The band played material written by Joshua Bacha, for which he provided vocals, guitar and Theremin. Stylistically similar, vocals are reminiscent of Portugal. The Man, except with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s reverberant production.

For those who missed it, Tiny Plastic Stars will host their album release at The Top Hat on Friday, July 14th. More show information can be found here.

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Jun 28: Animal Collective (The Wilma)
Aug 11: Primus with Clutch (The Kettle)House Amphitheater