A Weekend At FORMAT

RSU Radio had the wonderful opportunity to spend the weekend at FORMAT Festival—an amalgamation of creativity that united over eighty live music acts and two dozen visual, performance, and institutional artists from diverse corners of the globe.

Bentonville warmly embraced FORMAT Festival 2023, an annual celebration of art, technology, and music, despite the challenging weather. The vibrant venue for this event, The Momentary, offered a diverse range of musical performances, food choices, vendors, and additional attractions.

We enjoyed a diverse array of performances by artists such as the legendary Alanis Morrissette, Modest Mouse, and Leon Bridges.

On Saturday, Nikki Lane kicked off the festival’s second day. Afterwards, ’90s hip-hop group The Pharcyde graced the South of OZ stage, delighting the audience with their timeless hit “Passing Me By” and other beloved tracks. Tulsa’s King Cabbage Brass Band had an electric showing, followed by the soulful Latin pop singer, Lesly Reynaga, hailing from Austin, Texas.

Additionally, on Sunday, we had a fantastic conversation with the local band Modeling (more on that later…), who enthusiastically joined the festival after it issued an open call for submissions from local talent earlier this year.

The wide range of different talent throughout the festival consistently made sure there was something for everyone.

The grounds of the Momentary featured attractions and installations from world-renowned artists, including Guerrilla Girls, JR’s Inside Out Project, Jeremy Deller, and Ragnar Kjartansson x The National. These included the thought-provoking ‘Complaints Department’ and an exciting, festival-spanning photo booth project.

This weekend, FORMAT Festival definitely proved itself as the quintessential haven for culture, entertainment, and art aficionados. Over the course of this weekend, attendees were able to immerse themselves in a world brimming with creativity, innovation, and profound artistic expression.