Fayetteville, AR - Falltoberfest, Specifically Hayefield & Mingo Drive.
One of the coolest things about living in the modern world is how quickly and easily we have access to each other. It makes the size of the world feel so stinking small.
Discovering music is an adventure all on its own. What genres are new that you’re willing to open an ear to? Some of us are always chasing a vibe that scratches THE Brain Itch. Social media makes this adventure a little easier to navigate thanks to the algorithm. With the capability to introduce you to your next favorite artist before you ever know their name —
Instagram gave me Hayefield. TikTok slid me Mingo Drive.
On October 4th, 2026, I got out in my little community of Fayetteville, AR, to attend the fourth annual Falltoberfest! Vendors, the smell of fall, beer being spilled left and right. You’ve got fucking amazing churros, and, of course, live music.
Hayefield wasn’t necessarily new – making their way onto the scene in 2024. But nonetheless, they were new to me. What was also new to me? Ya’llternative and country-core. And holy shit, Hayefield organically performed as if they were writing the definition to the genre themselves.
Their song “Dreadmill” slaps, going waay harder than it should! If you haven’t heard of them, think Royal Blood with a southern twang, but it actually works! But my favorite part of their performance was their biggest fan: this little dude headbanging in time and singing every lyric.
Next up, our pals: Mingo Drive.
A Tulsa band traveled their way to Northwest AR to jam and help build the atmosphere at Falltoberfest. I even had the honor of watching them close the festival out.
If I could try and explain their performance, this is what I would say -
When you leave your house, you want every interaction to be one that leaves you smiling and maybe a lil’ extra pep in your step - think specifically that scene from Ace Ventura, the strut? Ha. Regardless, it was a moment where the world felt lighter for a second. It was easier to smell the flowers, feel the breeze, to notice the different shades of color around you.
This was what it felt like to not only listen to, but to experience, a live performance by Mingo Drive.
My favorite part—and a shout out—went to the wife of many hats! You always have to shout out a part of the BTS-team and backbone. The people behind the scenes are often the reason the people on stage got to do what they did, and that deserves all the love, too.
The performance was on October 4th, and just two days before, these guys released a new and brilliant song, “Strange Happenings.” As cliché as this might read, the song takes you on a journey of strange happenings through genre-bending, lyrical pull, and a really solid understanding of how to utilize the “unexpected” when listening to it for the very first time.
For every person, discovering a new band or a new type of music plays such a huge role in how core memories are formed, how communities are built, or even how one chooses to identify themself.
So, Sunday, October 4th, 2026, I sat back and welcomed the autumn season with a few pals who matter most, a slice of pizza from the popup inside George’s Majestic Lounge, a beer from Southern Trailing, and some tunes by some upcoming local legends.
Thanks for a stellar time, Hayefield & Mingo Drive!
Shout out local vendors: