Downtown Alpharetta welcomed an estimated 20,000 people to the annual Wire and Wood Songwriters Festival on Oct. 11 and 12. This two-day festival draws in both national and local musicians to perform and share their music-making inspirations.
The event has seven stages in use throughout the festival, with over 30 artists occupying them. Friday’s performances started at 6 p.m. with three shows spread across the heart of downtown Alpharetta. Acts went until 11 p.m., closing with a performance from headliner Wang Chung on the Main on Milton Stage presented by United BMW. A large crowd formed to watch this band play their nostalgic hits and sing along to their song, “Everybody Have Fun Tonight”.
Saturday’s performances went from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., featuring artists such as Wim Tapley and the Cannons, Boy Named Banjo and the headliner, Gaelic Storm.
The event showcases performers who write and perform original work as well as those who have a drive to raise awareness about the importance of music.
Moonlark, an Atlanta-based band, played on the City Hall stage on the 11th. The band is made up of three individuals: Bóvell, the bassist and vocalist, Spencer De Moretta on guitar and background vocals and Paul La Duca on drums. These three have been playing as this trio since April.
“The crowd was awesome, good energy,” said De Moretta.
This was the first time Moonlark had played at the Wire and Wood Songwriters festival, performing original hits. One of the biggest focuses of this festival is the origins of bands and their music, and how that impacts the community.
“The big thing for us, as far as this album, and what we’ve been working towards on these songs, is nature and childhood,” said De Moretta. “Feeling the sense of being a child and having wonder and awe and curiosity but also finding that pattern reflected in nature. Our motto is welcome to the nest, its kind of welcoming people in and letting them express themselves freely, again.”
“Just knowing that while were playing, its happening live, and there’s someone out there, after the show that will be like ‘this is was so cool’…that’s like the coolest feeling because whatever you’re creating is impacting them in the moment” -Paul La Duca, Drums for Moonlark, Atlanta based band.
“A lot of things that are innate to us as humans, we are condemned for it when we are younger, and I feel like a lot of those things are musical, like tapping on a desk or just wanting to hum or sing when you are supposed to be quiet. I don’t need to have time, it’s time to make music,” said Bóvell. “This process for me has been very cathartic in that way, just kind of surrendering to my art again and not feeling bound by it.”
Moonlark’s music has influences of jazz, world, Malian rock, indie and soul, as their original songs and music do not fall under a specific genre.
This free festival happens every year as a part of Alpharetta’s initiative to make it “Alpharetta Music City”. 2024’s headliners included Sixpence None the Richer and Neil Francis.
This event features a Music Makers Market, with local artisans and makers selling their one-of-a-kind pieces. These products ranged from candles to concert wear, offering another space full of creativity at Wire and Wood.
Not far from the Main stage was the Live Art Lounge, where attendees could watch muralist Abraham Darlington create a music-inspired mural and add their own touch to a community mural.
This annual event is for all ages and dog friendly, with food vendors on site as well as being surrounded by local restaurants and shops.
