Sierra Ferrell’s Grand Entrance, Major Moments at Under The Big Sky
Nobody puts Sierra Ferrell in a corner.
The reigning Saving Country music Artist of the Year was set to play Sunday afternoon at the Under The Big Sky Fest in beautiful Whitefish, Montana, but it was only an hour long set, and wasn’t even direct support of the headliner Billy Strings. Part of that speaks to the talent assembled at independent country’s first ever megafest. Mt. Joy played after Sierra, and put on a rousing set per normal. But Sierra was the one that left everyone with lasting memories.
It all started with Sierra’s grand entrance into the festival. As opposed to appearing from backstage, Sierra arrived in the field after trekking through the festival site on horseback. It was all made possible by Tristan Tommy F Martinez, aka Tristan Many Horses who supplied the plan, and the horses. It was revealed later that Diplo was also in the horse entourage, though it didn’t seem to be evident to anyone at the time, which might have been a good thing.
Some have been giving hell to poor Sierra because he horse was “led” by Tristan Many Horses and security was around the entourage as they made their way across the Big Mountain Ranch. But folks need to appreciate that the horse wasn’t familiar with Sierra, Sierra wasn’t familiar with the horse, and they were navigating through a crowd of nearly 25,000 people, including many folks on the ground on blankets and low back chairs in various states of inebriation.
There is no way the festival was going to allow this and the potential insurance fiasco without a plan. Being there in person, it felt like quite the epic moment. The Queen had arrived.
But right after Sierra Ferrell minted what was arguably the most memorable moment of the 5 year old Under The Big Sky Fest, she outdid herself by inviting Billy Strings out on stage who performed “Bells of Every Chapel” with Sierra. As some Ferrell fans might recall, Strings actually played on the studio track of the song. At the time, they were both signed to Rounder Records.
Sierra only got an hour on the stage, but she made a lifetime of memories that won’t be forgotten in the annals of her career, or Under The Big Sky Fest.
Sierra Ferrell would then show up during the Billy Strings headliner set to sing Cher’s “Believe” bluegrass style. Sunday night at Under The Big Sky Fest felt like one massive moment that topped the next one. This was arguably capped off when Zach Top who put on an incredible set on Saturday showed up to jam with Billy. The two played an epic guitar off version of “Freeborn Man” that had the entire festival raving.
A full run down of the Billy Strings set is forthcoming, as well as a full run down of Under The Big Sky Fest. To see more coverage from the 2024 Under The Big Sky Festival, follow Saving Country Music on Instagram.
All photos and media by Kyle “Trigger” Coroneos
July 15, 2024 @ 9:39 pm
Kind of cool how Billy and her met. He played a show and said she came up to him afterwards to introduce herself and told him she was going to sing with him one day, less than 5 years later they recorded “Bells of Every Chapel”. I know I’ve said it several times here, but if you haven’t seen her live do it!
July 16, 2024 @ 2:29 am
I am 100% obsessed with her. I am hoping she re-releases her 1st 2 albums on vinyl! Because I can’t get enough of the last 2!
July 16, 2024 @ 8:34 am
Gosh, big happenings Under The Blue Sky!!! BT(random)W: the last time I got on a horse, said to be a very calm, old horse, walking along with its friend horses, on the familiar path, on a calm day, no snakes or potholes, OF COURSE, MY horse, alone, bolted into the pines, which had horizontal branches at exactly the height of the saddle. Thick layer of pine needles saved me when i hit the EJECT button. I know you horse people are thinking “The horse felt your fear” haha. Ok, Sierra is listening to Cher 🙂 …so…I suggest Sonny Bono’s original “Baby Don’t Go” The lyrics. like “…I shopped at the second-hand store…” Sierra Ferrell can (sadly) relate to, EXCEPT that Sierra Ferrell’s mom was there and very supportive:-), far as I can tell.
July 16, 2024 @ 8:39 am
I was so weirded out by all the negative comments mentioning her being led on the reel you posted to Insta. Folks just love to hate. As an aside, I don’t know what the liability insurance looks like when you have horses at a music festival, but as an event coordinator you take as few chances as possible when it comes to livestock and human stock mixing, so bravo.