You may think you know what to expect from an outdoor summer concert—lawn chairs, cold drinks, maybe a little dancing if the band’s got a groove. But you’ll find much more than that at Brundage Mountain’s TGIF Summer Concert Series.  

Tucked in a natural amphitheater at the base of Brundage Mountain (just eight miles from downtown McCall) these Friday-night gatherings deliver far more than music. They offer a sense of ease and connection that’s hard to come by during the heat and hustle of the summer high season.

Families and groups of friends arrive in clusters, spreading blankets across the soft grass. Kids dash toward the shallow pond, shoes already forgotten, while parents wander over to grab a bite or a drink from the Bandit Food Truck or Smoky’s Bar & Grill. A few make their way up the trails for a short hike or play a quick round of disc golf before the music starts. There’s space to move, to breathe, to relax.

And then, once the band takes the stage, something shifts. Toddlers bounce to the beat. Teens twirl their younger siblings. Parents laugh and tap their toes, soaking in the scene.

It’s the kind of atmosphere you can’t manufacture. It just happens…an unexpected mix of joy and freedom that takes root in this mountain setting, where wildflowers bloom along the trails and the air feels just a little fresher.

The stress of the workweek, the traffic in town, even the pressure to be “doing something productive” fades away in the glow of the setting sun and the sound of a live band echoing through the hills.

Josh and Hayley Johnson have been bringing their kids to the weekly concerts since the three girls were toddlers.

“In those early years, we’d load up blankets, chairs, and umbrellas, find a cozy spot on the lawn, and watch as the kids took off to dance and play. It gave us a rare chance to slow down and connect as a couple – something that felt especially meaningful in those early parenting years,” says Hayley Johnson.

“Now that the girls are teenagers, they show up in their own way – connecting with friends, hunting for tadpoles, dancing when the music hits just right. They’ve grown up at these concerts, and honestly, so have we. It’s more than just a fun evening – it’s a thread in the fabric of our family’s story.”

The Johnsons are a law enforcement family, which means they’re always extra tuned in to safety, but the Brundage concert setup puts their usual concerns to rest.  

“It’s the perfect balance between freedom for the kids and peace of mind for the parents,” adds Johnson, “We’ve always felt completely at ease here.”

The Brundage concerts are dog-friendly, but there’s also a dog-free section. That means everyone can feel at ease, with or without furry friends in tow. (Leashes are required and excitable dogs should be left at home).

In addition to the joyful chaos, each Friday night concert also carries a deeper purpose, thanks to Brundage’s Good Music, Good Deeds initiative. Every week, a local nonprofit is featured during the show, given the chance to share its mission with a built-in audience of supportive locals and curious vacationers.

Half the donations collected go straight to that nonprofit, while the other half is added to the Brundage Mountain Community Fund, a new grant program that helps other regional organizations year-round. So whether you throw in a couple bucks at the gate or make a larger donation, you’re part of something bigger. Your night of fun helps fuel meaningful work across the community.

In 2024, Brundage donated more than $75,000 in cash and product to 51 nonprofit organizations, including a $10,000 grant that the Brundage Community Fund presented to the Mehen Memorial Skate Park in New Meadows at a concert last summer.

That spirit of generosity is part of what makes these concerts feel so different. It’s not just about the music, though the lineup is undeniably strong, featuring everything from country and funk to indie folk and high-energy jam bands. It’s about what happens around the music.

And maybe that’s the magic of Brundage in the summer. When you leave the rush of town behind and follow that short, winding mountain road up into the pines, something in you relaxes. The air gets cooler, the light a little softer. You start to hear the music before you see the stage—and by the time you settle in on the grass, the rest of the world has faded away. You’re not at a concert. You’re at a celebration. A communal heartbeat.

“No one ever wants the night to end,” says Johnson.” And I think that’s because we all know we’re making memories we’ll carry forever.”

Brundage Mountain’s TGIF concerts are free and begin at 6:00 pm every Friday from July 11 through August 29.