Cigarettes @ Sunset Brings Their Appalachian Possum Rock To Georgia On Their Fall ‘26 Tour
On October 2, 2026, Cigarettes @ Sunset performed at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Georgia. The five-piece band from Boone, North Carolina, is known for its combination of alternative rock and Appalachian influences. The band describes its sound as “Appalachian Possum Rock,” which fits its music well because it combines a folk-inspired sound with the energy of a rock show. Cigarettes @ Sunset have also been gaining more attention recently after releasing their Possum Rock EP and signing with Lost Highway Records.
The show took place as Cigarettes @ Sunset headlined alongside opening acts Frigga Five and Yesterday’s Clothes. The venue provided a more intimate atmosphere than a large arena, which worked especially well for a band that puts so much emphasis on interacting with its audience. Throughout the performance, crowd control and crowd interaction played a huge role in the overall energy of the show. The members of Cigarettes @ Sunset did not simply stay on stage and perform their songs. They repeatedly found ways to involve the audience and make the crowd feel like part of the performance.
The band consists of Garrett Dellinger on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Wells Whitman on bass and backing vocals, Ethan Moore on drums, Sarah Vann on violin and vocals, and Ryeland Bagbey on lead guitar. Each member brought something different to the performance, but Sarah Vann was especially memorable. Her violin playing added the Appalachian and folk elements that make Cigarettes @ Sunset's music different from a typical rock band. Sarah absolutely killed it throughout the performance, and her stage presence earned her the unofficial title of “Queen Sarah.” By the end of the show, the crowd was bowing down to Queen Sarah.
The setlist included several of the band's recognizable songs as well as newer material. “Pavement” was one of the biggest moments of the performance, but the band also played “Leave You (If It's the Right Thing To Do),” “Dangers of a Banjo Maintenance,” and “Gasoline.” Two new, unreleased songs were also performed, giving the audience a chance to hear music that had not officially been released. Including these songs made the set feel more special because the crowd was experiencing material that was not yet available to everyone.
One of the most entertaining parts of the show came during “Dangers of a Banjo Maintenance,” when Garrett jumped into the crowd for part of the song. Ryeland also left the stage and jumped into the crowd while continuing to play guitar. Moments like these showed how important crowd interaction was to the band's performance style. Instead of creating a separation between the stage and the audience, Cigarettes @ Sunset repeatedly broke that barrier. The crowd was not just watching the show; they became part of it.
The band also managed to trick the audience with what seemed like the end of the concert. “Pavement” was played as though it was going to be the final song, leaving the crowd expecting an encore. However, instead of immediately returning to the stage, the band left the audience wondering if the show was actually over. Eventually, they came back and played “Gasoline,” one of their newer releases, as the true final song. This made the ending feel unexpected and gave the audience one more energetic moment instead of ending exactly as expected.
The final moments of “Gasoline” were probably the most visually memorable part of the entire show. The venue lights were turned completely off, leaving the room almost entirely dark. The crowd then lit up the venue themselves, creating a sea of phone lights and lighters throughout the entire venue. The effect was simple but beautiful. After an entire night of loud music, jumping into the crowd, and high energy, the lights created a much calmer moment to close the show.
Overall, Cigarettes @ Sunset's performance was much more than a band simply playing through a setlist. The music was obviously the center of the show, but the band's ability to control the crowd and make the audience feel involved was just as important. Garrett and Ryeland physically entering the crowd, Sarah's standout performance, the surprise unreleased songs, and the fake encore all helped make the concert feel unique. Ending with “Gasoline” while the audience lit up the darkened Georgia Theatre was a beautiful final moment. The show demonstrated that Cigarettes @ Sunset are not only developing a recognizable sound, but also developing the kind of live performance that can turn a concert into an experience the audience will remember.
Photos and review by Jenifer Mitchell
