The days began with temperatures in the '80s as the FORMAT Festival opened up the gates at 11 a.m. Friday while temperatures dipped into the mid-60s by close of the three-day festival on Sunday night.
Amos Cochran and Serrano-Torres of Northwest Arkansas treated a laid-back crowd to a sonic, atmospheric set in The Cube as the sun set during the final day of the FORMAT Festival in Bentonville. Both Cochran and Serrano-Torres were among several local musicians booked to play the festival. Cochran joked with attendees that he didn't mind if people left the show to see Legendary pianist Herbie Hancock a short distance away from the enclosed stage.
Hancock moved the crowd and closed by reminding everyone that they were all part of one big human family on the South of Oz stage. The University of Pine Bluff Drumline marched into the crowds followed by dancers in eight of Nick Caves colorful, tasseled Soundsuits. The crowd formed a circle around the drummers and dancers for a short performance. Modern British disco duo Jungle had crowds jumping until dark on the South of Oz stage.
Thundercat shredding a six-string bass followed shortly after and was joined by flutist Elena Pinderhughes who is currently on tour with Hancock. The bassist, whose name is Stephen Lee Bruner, told the crowd that this was the last show of his most recent tour. He was barely finished with his final song, "Them Changes," when Khruanbin began on the North of Oz stage.
Some crowd members wore wigs in tribute to Laura Lee and Mark Speer, who wore matching black wigs with straight cut bangs. The Houston, Texas-based trio with Donald "DJ" Johnson Jr. on drums grooved through several of their hits such as "August 10" and "Sunday Morning" in addition to a medley of '90s rap including Ice Cube hits, "Check Yo Self" and "Good Day;" Nate Dogg and Warren G's "Regulate;" Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's "Ain't Nothing But A G Thang;" and Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love."
Shoppers check out La Rosa Antigua, a vintage clothing store booth, out of Little Rock. The Bizarre Bazaar offered "experiences," shopping, food and face painting. (Monica Hooper/NWA Democrat-Gazette)
Festival goers relax Sunday in the Xanadu” exhibit at FORMAT festival in Bentonville. (Monica Hooper/NWA Democrat-Gazette)
Thundercat performs Sunday for one of the last concerts of the FORMAT festival and the bass player's final tour. (Monica Hooper/NWA Democrat-Gazette)
One kid has a great view of Herbie Hancock's concert Sunday during the FORMAT festival in Bentonville. (Monica Hooper)
Audience members on Sunday evening take photos of the stage as British disco group Jungle takes the North of Oz stage. (Monica Hooper/NWA Democrat-Gazette)
Fans out, boogie down. Crowds dance as Jungle performs Sunday while the sunsets on the final day of the FORMAT Festival in Bentonville. (Monica Hooper/NWA Democrat-Gazette)
Entrance to the adult playground Sunday during FORMAT festival in Bentonville. (Monica Hooper/NWA Democrat-Gazette)
Lights play off Doug Aitken's mirrored hot air balloon at the back of the FORMAT Festival grounds on the Sugar Creek Airstrip in Bentonville. (Monica Hooper/NWA Democrat-Gazette)
Khruangbin performs Sunday during the final concert of the FORMAT Festival in Bentonville. The trio with Laura Lee on bass, Mark Speer on guitar, and Donald Ray "DJ" Johnson Jr. on drums performed many of their hits, encouraged the audience to shake hands with their neighbors and then played a medley of 90's rap.
Thundercat on Sunday shredded a six-string bass during his concert at FORMAT festival in Bentonville. He told the crowd that the performance was a beautiful way to wrap up the tour. When his keyboardist experienced technical problems, he warned the crowd that "Skynet [from the Terminator movies] is real." (Courtesy Photo/Pooneh Ghana for FORMAT Festival)