World Folk Band Rising Appalachia is Coming Back to Missoula
Soulful world folk band Rising Appalachia will make their long-awaited return to the Top Hat on May 7, 2020. The last time they were in Missoula was in 2015.
RSVP to the Facebook event
Led by sisters Leah and Chloe Smith, Rising Appalachia’s sound is built around their Southern roots merged with the global influences they’ve garnered on their world travels. Through relentless touring, tireless activism, and a musical style that stands out from the crowd, the band has established an international fan base.
Rising Appalachia has toured British Columbia by sailboat, traversed the U.S. and Europe by train, and engaged in immersive cultural exchange programs in Bulgaria, Ireland, Southern Italy, Central and South America – not to mention the countless miles in a van. Tour highlights include: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco; Music Hall Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York; Boulder Theatre in Boulder, Colorado; and the Showbox in Seattle, Washington. The band consistently sells between 400 and 1500 tickets wherever they play, a testament to their loyal fan base.
In addition to Chloe and Leah’s talented vocals and instrumentals, the band consists of longtime members David Brown (stand-up bass, baritone guitar) and Biko Casini (world percussion, n’goni). On their latest album, Leylines (2019), they also enlisted the help of West African musician Arouna Diarra (n’goni, talking drum) and Irish musician Duncan Wickel (fiddle, cello). The sonic textures of these two cultures are woven into Leylines, enhancing the stunning blend of folk, world, and urban music that has become Rising Appalachia’s calling card.
Tickets are on sale now at the Top Hat, online or by phone at 1 (800) 514-3849. All tickets are general admission standing room only with limited bench seating. All ages are welcome. Additional ticketing and venue information can be found here.
