 The band's first show was at Cafe Figaro on Bleecker St. in New York City's Greenwich Village.In 1998 Antigone Rising won a Levi's contest and played several of Sara Mclachlan's New York area Lilith Fair dates, one in New York City's Bryant Park on June 1 in front of 10,000 people.From 2000-2008 the band spent most of its time touring the country and building a massive grassroots following playing up to 280 shows a year.