Dariann Leigh & Dakota East

About Dariann Leigh & Dakota East

For Dariann Leigh, this is so much more than country music. From her one-stop town in Karlstad, Minnesota (population 713), Dariann captured the star power of the original women of country music. From lyrics bleeding through static-filled radios and scratched cds, even in the middle of nowhere, those melodies set the scene for a dream that would ultimately define the course of her life.

Dariann doesn’t just want to make music, she wants to write the soundtrack for hairbrush singers, dashboard drummers and air guitar players everywhere.

Featured on The Boot, Country Rebel, CMT and more with he previous singles “Let Me Go”, “10,000 Miles”, “Love Me Let Me”, “Red On Your Blue Collar”, “Bury Me On Broadway”, and “Feel Free To Forget”. CMT has dubbed Leigh as a name to know amongst the rising women in country music.

“As a Kid,” says Leigh, “I remember closing my eyes, plugging my headphones in and listening to tracks that ended up being the theme songs to my daydreams. I want to be that artist for someone else.”

Dakota East Coastal Country gem, Dakota East, is fast becoming one of Australia's hottest new acts. Born in Canada the now Melbourne based artist attributes the roots of her unique style to her upbringing in Canada where she lived in a small island log cabin in the middle of a secluded lake in Ontario's shield country. Speaking of her musical immersion of artists such as Shania Twain, John Denver and Bonnie Raitt, East remembers "There was always Country, Folk and Blues music playing around the cabin and it was the perfect soundtrack to that picturesque landscape and my magical childhood".

Her debut single, "Runaway," with its shimmering electric guitars and atmospheric pedal steel, took the airwaves by storm amassing over 400,000 streams and earning spots on official Spotify and Apple Music playlists. Since then, she has built a strong presence on the live circuit, captivating audiences with her powerhouse vocals and genre-blending sound.

Dakota has shared stages with industry heavyweights such as US #1 charting Country Artist Randy Houser, Shannon Noll, Travis Collins, Jon Stevens, and Joe Camilleri, and delivered standout performances at major festivals including Deniliquin Ute Muster,  Meatstock, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Brunswick Music Festival, and St Kilda Music Festival.

Dakota was named a Top 10 Finalist in the prestigious Tamworth Toyota Star Maker Competition, leading to a performance on Toyota Park’s Main Stage in front of over 3000 fans. Shortly after, she released her latest single, "Moving On," which climbed to #8 on the Countrytown Hot 50 Radio Charts, further cementing her place in Australia’s country music scene.

With the mission of staying true to the raw musical emotion of her original influences but also forging ahead into the evolving landscape of country music, Dakota East emerges as a stand out talent and is poised for big things.

What to Know Before You Go

• This is a ticketed event with limited seating.

• Each ticket = one seat (not a whole table).

• A $15 food and beverage minimum applies to each ticket

• Seating is first come, first served unless otherwise noted.

• Black Dog Pub is open regular business hours before the show — come early to grab dinner and drinks before showtime.

• This event is 18+. Bar seating is only 21+.

• Pups are welcome in our outdoor areas. 🐾

• Outside food and beverages are not permitted.

• All ticket sales are final unless the event is canceled or rescheduled.

We’re looking forward to an evening of great songs, good company, and live music done the Black Dog way — up close and personal.