A Night at The Momentary

The Momentary, located in Bentonville, Arkansas, is an impressive new venue that has the potential to become a prominent cultural center in the region. Its latest concert series, “Live on the Green,” commenced on April 29, 2023, featuring three acts, The Roots, KOKOKO!, and Katsu. The Momentary, along with the artists, united the audience towards a single objective – entertainment.

Upon approaching the building, one is immediately drawn to the vibrant pink neon sign that proudly displays the phrase “you belong here“. The warm and welcoming greeting sets the tone for the evening. The crowd outside exudes an electric and anticipatory energy for the night’s concert. Upon entering the space, one cannot help but be impressed by the various art galleries that surround the main performance area.

Katsu, the four-piece band hailing from Little Rock, Arkansas, delivered an impressive performance at The Momentary. Despite the broad sunlight, the band managed to captivate the slowly but surely piling crowd. The group is focused on creating a fresh and innovative blend of funk-blues and prog-jazz while staying attuned to the context of modern music. Baaqir Salaam, the guitarist and vocalist, is the creative force behind Katsu, and he is supported by an exceptional group of musicians, including Duncan Ragsdell on bass, Tom Cooper on keys, and Devin Howard on drums. The band’s name is inspired by Japanese fried food, and their music mirrors the unhealthy amount of grooves that defines their sound. Katsu is undoubtedly a band to watch out for in the contemporary music scene.

The self-proclaimed “4 smooth homies from Little Rock” can be found here.

KOKOKO! hails from the bustling capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa. What began as a spontaneous fusion of various talents at a local block party slowly evolved into an innovative force of both sound and vision. The group is composed of musical instrument inventors from the Ngwaka neighborhood, electronic producer débruit, Makara Bianko (also known as the Lingwala devil), and accompanying dancers from the Lingwala neighborhood. Their signature style involves the rewiring and up-cycling of everyday materials found in Kinshasa’s streets, such as metal, cans, engine parts, and plastic containers, to create pulsing and energetic dance music. The result is highly infectious sound, with fast rhythms and lo-fi electric rhythms providing the perfect soundtrack for vibrant yet often challenging realities.

KOKOKO! was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening, stealing the show with their raw energy and unbridled creativity. After everyone had finished dancing, our Arkansas audience was left spellbound by sheer skill and artistry on display.

More information on KOKOKO! can be found here.

The Roots have established themselves as one of the most influential and impactful hip-hop collectives of all time. Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson founded the multi platinum group, and since then, they have achieved great success, including three Grammy Awards. Over the years, The Roots have performed at countless festivals and venues around the world, including the Montreux Jazz Festival, Coachella, and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. They have also been the house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon since 2014, and have performed with a wide range of musical artists, from Jay-Z and Eminem to John Legend and Paul McCartney.

Decades of experience shone through at The Momentary, with The Roots being one of the tightest live bands in recent memory. Their set-list featured not only lifetime hits but also a few covers that they have made their own. It’s hard to imagine a better band for The Momentary’s welcome.

With a twelfth full-length album on the horizon, The Roots can be found here.

The Momentary‘s “Live on the Green” has had a remarkable beginning and promises to continue delivering unforgettable performances. The upcoming schedule includes a diverse range of artists such as Brothers Osbourne, Wu-Tang-Clan, and Rina Sawwayma, with many more outstanding shows scheduled for the foreseeable future. It’s a stunning new venue that fulfills a promise of being a contemporary art space with a variety of offerings that cater to all interests. From visual and performing arts to culinary experiences, festivals, and artists-in-residence, there truly is something for everyone.