Rising Appalachia at The Momentary, Bentonville, AR

Rising Appalachia comes to The Momentary in Bentonville, Arkansas, for a folk concert led by the sister duo Leah Song and Chloe Smith. It suits anyone drawn to roots music with a conscience: Appalachian string-band songs, Southern soul and gospel, and sounds from around the world, delivered live in one of the region's contemporary arts settings.

What to Expect

This is a concert, an evening of music rather than a workshop or retreat. Rising Appalachia is known for layered vocal harmonies set against fiddle, banjo, guitar and upright bass. Their songs draw on gospel, work songs and mountain ballads, and carry themes of environmental care, cultural preservation and social justice. The material does not set out a running order or set length, so come ready to simply listen, sing along if the mood takes you, and settle into the sound.

About Rising Appalachia

Rising Appalachia is a folk duo founded by sisters Leah Song and Chloe Smith in the early 2000s. Raised in Atlanta and steeped in the musical traditions of the American South, they built their reputation on a blend of Southern soul, Appalachian string-band traditions and international roots music. Their sound is politically engaged and rooted in environmental activism and cultural preservation.

What sets them apart from the mainstream Americana revival is the open place they give to social justice, traditional medicine practices, and partnerships with Indigenous and immigrant communities. The duo has consistently placed itself within the Slow Music Movement, a philosophy that emphasizes sustainable touring.

The Place

The Momentary is in Bentonville, Arkansas, in the northwest of the state. It hosts this stop on the Rising Appalachia tour.

Before You Go

Rising Appalachia also runs a street team for people who want to help spread the word about the shows. Volunteers print and put up flyers at favorite local spots such as yoga studios, coffee shops and colleges, and in return receive admission to the show for themselves and a few friends. Those interested are asked to get in touch with their name, age and the city they live in, and the team replies with instructions.