American Dreaming in West Virginia: Sierra Ferrell plays WVU FallFest

For many young Americans, college, especially in places like Morgantown, West Virginia, home to the West Virginia University Mountaineers, marks a pivotal and formative period. It's a time when young adults from diverse backgrounds pursue higher education and their version of the American Dream.

This year, WVU's annual FallFest, a back-to-school tradition, welcomed a major success story from the music world: four-time Grammy winner and rising country/western and American Roots Music star, Sierra Ferrell. Her performance, a homecoming for the West Virginia-born artist, was truly unforgettable.

Having attended many FallFests throughout my youth, I'd always found them a fun way to kick off the school year with friends. However, I thought I'd outgrown the event until August 15th, 2025, at 6 PM, when I learned that a last-minute lineup change was announced: SIERRA FERRELL WAS ADDED!!

Seeing Sierra Ferrell live has been a top priority for me for the past three years, but I'd never had the chance. Her latest album, Trail of Flowers, is constantly on repeat in my personal playlist, and the vinyl edition is a bestseller at Nail City Record. Despite the short notice (Sierra was announced Friday evening for a Monday show), I couldn't miss this opportunity to see her play in my own backyard. This show for me was a Long Time Coming and the only hurdle remaining was getting in.

FallFest typically requires a WVU student ID for entry, though students can bring a guest over the age of 17. Unable to reach any current WVU students that I know, I was prepared to show up and make new friends who could get me in. Fortunately, our friends at Concord Label Group and Rounder Records contacted Sierra's team and secured our entry as her guests—an act for which we are incredibly grateful.

The show itself was electrifying. The stage was beautifully adorned with floral accents, giant mushroom sculptures, and animatronic moving flowers. While Sierra was undoubtedly the star, her band was phenomenal and incredibly tight, delivering an exceptional performance.

Sierra showcased her impressive vocal range and multi-instrumental talents, while the band delivered face-melting solos and intricate multi-part harmonies. Between songs and seamlessly integrated choreographed dance moves, Sierra shared wisdom gleaned from her travels, reminding students to "Question everything" and "Love everybody." She also acknowledged the human desire to belong, as seen in sports and teams, but cautioned against the spectacle of the Roman Colosseum.

Sierra and her band played for approximately 1.5 hours, flawlessly performing all her greatest hits. She even treated the audience to a new, unreleased song titled "Dusty Foot," which had only been performed once before, three weeks prior. Standout songs for me included "Far Away Across the Sea," "Years," "American Dreaming," "Dollar Bill Bar," and "Me and Bobby McGee."

SETLIST:

1. I Could Drive You Crazy

2. I'll Come Off the Mountain

3. Silver Dollar

4. Give It Time

5. West Virginia Waltz

6. Jeremiah

7. Chittlin' Cookin' Time in Cheatham County (Arthur Smith Trio cover)

8. Here I Am (Dolly Parton cover)

9. Money Train

10. The Sea

11. Far Away Across the Sea

12. Dusty Foot

13. Years (John Anderson cover)

14. American Dreaming

15. Dollar Bill Bar

16. Fox Hunt

ENCORE:

1. Me and Bobby McGee (Kris Kristofferson cover)

2. In Dreams

The concert was an incredible experience, and I highly recommend seeing Sierra Ferrell live if you have the chance. Be sure to catch her on the "Shoot For The Moon Tour 2025," which runs through December.

As a fellow West Virginian, Sierra's journey deeply resonates with me; it's a story all too familiar in this region. Her rise through the struggles of Appalachia offers me hope in my own daily challenges, and I know her music provides similar inspiration for countless others who are American Dreaming.