Find the full weekend schedule here, and look for our print feature on LEAF behind the scenes in next week’s paper. Here are a few non-to-be missed acts:
Rising Appalachia — Formerly based in WNC, sisters Leah and Chloe now spend their time in New Orleans, when not touring the globe. The Appalachian-meets-world music duo are LEAF fan-favorites and plays their first Lakeside stage show this season. Friday, 9:30-10:45 p.m., Eden Hall; Sunday, 12:15-1:30 p.m., Lakeside
Dr. John & the Nite Trippers — New Orleans-based Dr. John has putting his unique spin on Voodoo-laced funk since the late ‘60s, with songs like “Right Place Wrong Time” and “Gilded Splinters.” This year, he won a Grammy for best blues album, received an honorary degree from Tulane University and (not least) plays LEAF. Sunday, 4:15-5:45 p.m., Lakeside
Zap Mama — A repeat LEAF act, Zap Mama (led by Marie Daulne) crafts a heady blend of hip-hop, nu-soul, jazz and pop. The sound is every bit as exotic as Daulne’s own Belgian-Congolese makeup. Saturday, 10:30 p.m.-midnight, Lakeside
Vieux Farka Toure — The son of legendary Malian guitar player Ali Farka Toure, Vieux not only carries on the tradition of his Malian roots but forwards his pedigree with innovative music and messages of social change. Sunday, 2:15-3:30 p.m., Lakeside
Photo by Francesca Perry
Acoustic Syndicate — The local roots-Americana outfit just released Rooftop Garden, the band’s first album in eight years. Their LEAF performance doubles as their release party. Read a review of the album here. Friday, 8:30-10 p.m., Lakeside
King Britt — The DJ and producer has toured with the likes of The Digable Planets and Sade. He’s won the Pew Fellowship in the Arts and owns his own Saturn Never Sleeps label. He’ll perform at LEAF and then hang around the area for Mountain Oasis the following weekend. Friday late-night (Saturday), 1-3 a.m., Eden Hall
The Bluebrass Project — It’s been a minute (or most of a decade) since members of WNC bluegrassy outfits (Acoustic Syndicate, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Woody Wood, Jason Krekel) teamed up with New Orleans brassy outfits (Dirty Dozen, ReBirth Brass Band) to record a number of fantastic mashups. New album The Same Pocket Vol. 3: The Maple Leaf Sessions is now out. Friday, 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m., Eden Hall
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