Festivalgoers turn the lawn into a dance floor between sets at ONE Musicfest at Piedmont Park. Andre Walker, Warren Lake Media
Though Atlanta History Center is best known for preserving the past, we are equally committed to documenting Atlanta’s present.
When we can be there — in the park, on the street, or backstage — we capture history as it happens, since culture does not stand still. It moves in real time, and our role is to follow it, preserve it, and make sure future Atlantans can see how the city lived, created, and remembered in the moment.
So, when the beat dropped at ONE Musicfest in Piedmont Park, Atlanta History Center was there documenting the event.
Over the course of two brisk fall days, the festival brought together generations of sound — from Future and Doechii to The Roots with Mary J. Blige, transforming the park into a living, breathing chorus of Atlanta’s cultural identity.
The throughline of this year’s ONE Musicfest was lineage. A Dungeon Family set paid tribute to the late producer Rico Wade, whose work with Organized Noize helped shape the careers of OutKast, Goodie Mob, and Future, and with them, the modern sound of Atlanta.
For many, ONE Musicfest is more than a concert; it’s a ritual. Two women we spoke with traveled from Nashville, Tennessee, as they do every year, drawn by the consistently strong lineup and the atmosphere.
“We always feel safe here,” one of them shared. “We don’t have to worry about anything. It’s just good music and Black excellence everywhere you look.”
For other attendees, showing up feels like coming home.
“It’s like a family reunion,” said Dante, a first-time attendee who usually works security at the event.
“You see people you haven’t seen in years. It’s like a homecoming.”
He also brought his daughter and said it was an opportunity to introduce her to Atlanta’s musical culture.
Offstage, the festival offered a snapshot of the city’s creative ecosystem. More than 35 food trucks lined the park, and 20+ visual artists sold their work in a dedicated village. Sponsor activations and merch vendors filled the pathways.
Organizers estimate a crowd of more than 100,000 and an economic impact of nearly $61 million, but what struck us was the sense of community and momentum.
Wayfinding and transit mattered, too. Entry gates spanned Piedmont Avenue, 10th Street, and Park Drive. MARTA and rideshare were the go-to options as parking became more limited. These seemingly small logistics shape how people navigate the city, and they’re part of the historical record.
As one rideshare driver and attendee, Tito, told us: “I drove Uber after the show ended and made $60 in the first hour alone. That tells you something. This festival has cultural, social, economic, and artistic value. It brings the whole city together.”
A crowd surrounds the main stage as DJ D-Nice lights up the afternoon at ONE Musicfest at Piedmont Park. Andre Walker, Warren Lake Media
Festivals like ONE Musicfest are more than entertainment. They’re cultural documents. From setlists and signage to vendor lists and wristbands, each element offers insight into how Atlanta gathers, moves, spends, creates, and remembers.
Our job is to preserve the paper and digital trails that show not just who was there, but also how the city showed up.
Atlanta History Center’s Archives team collects materials across 10 core areas:
- Activism and social change
- Business and commerce
- Community
- Folklife
- Home and family
- Military
- Natural and built environment
- Politics and government
- Sports, arts, and recreation
- Transportation
We look for the trifecta: item + photo + story. An object paired with visual and contextual elements strengthens exhibitions, research, and education for generations to come.
A fan records the moment at ONE Musicfest at Piedmont Park. Andre Walker, Warren Lake Media
Want to Share Something from ONE Musicfest or another event?
Here’s how to help:
- Originals are best — high-res photos, uncompressed audio, unedited docs
- Include the who, what, when, where, and why.
- Email images first so an archivist can review.
- Make an appointment before dropping anything off: reference@atlantahistorycenter.com.
And a few don’ts:
- Don’t tape items back together.
- Don’t write on photographs.
- Don’t drop off without paperwork. Items without documentation enter a seven-year abandoned property process.
Access the Collection
Archival collections are available by appointment at Kenan Research Center, Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Email us to schedule your visit. Museum collections can also be accessed by appointment with advance notice.
Not ready to donate yet? We’ll happily share at-home storage tips, so your memories stay safe until you are.