Experiencing One Music Fest Through a Fan’s Lens.

Written By: Aaron “AROD” Wilson

Well it has been a full week since One Music Fest and the moment is still as vivid as ever. Sunday, October 26, 2025, marked my first time at One Music Fest—and unfortunately only my second music festival ever. I went not as a credentialed photographer, just as a fan with a Sony RX100 VII in hand. A simple point-and-shoot. I didn’t expect much from it—I just wanted to vibe, blend into the crowd, and document what moved me.

Listen, that little pocket size Sony camera completely blew my mind. It reminded me of why I fell in love with photography in the first place—just capturing raw, real moments without worrying about perfection. It brought me back to my hobbyist days, serving in a photography ministry, just having fun with a camera and letting the music lead the way. I truly enjoyed the challenge and the pure joy this camera gave me.

The Sunday lineup? Legendary.

From Leon Thomas, Doechii, Ari Lennox, and Jazmine Sullivan. Wale to Case, Carl Thomas and Marvin Sapp. Ray Vaughn, Jagged Edge, Tweet, Lloyd, and the TrailRide crew set the tone—blending genres that move the culture and define the vibe of the moment. Seeing Clipse live had me drumming “Grindin’” on imaginary lunch tables. 

And what a moment we had with Jazmine Sullivan? Midway through, Jazmine Sullivan performed “Lost One” in tribute to her mom—who passed away three years ago. It was her birthday that day. Watching Jazmine break down on stage? It hit home. I lost my mom three years ago too. That moment wasn’t just about her performance—it was healing. And the crowd held her in that space. That’s what music does. It meets us where words can’t. Thank you for sharing that moment with us (me) Ms. Sullivan.

Closing out One Music Fest weekend with Ludacris and Friends was an epic end to the night and legendary weekend. Luda and Friends 25-year celebration set brought out Bobby Valentino, Jeezy, Jadakiss, Usher, Chingy, Fergie, LL Cool J, and more. Even Tyler the Creator was enjoying the set just like one of us reliving his childhood memories. It felt like culture came alive, time reversed to the early 2000’s and stood still in that moment.

Major love to the One Music Fest team.

One Music Fest app made everything seamless—from navigating the festival and experience maps to tracking set times, food spots, merch booths, and brand activations. What really stood out was how personalized it felt—you could customize your profile with a headshot, bio, interests, social links, and even share who you were there to see. It had me thinking, were they lowkey playing matchmaker with that “meet-up” feature? Maybe… but it added to the vibe. 

The wristband tech made it easy to move and groove—no cash or cards needed. I didn’t even make it to all the activations because I was so locked into the music, but one thing’s for sure: this was curated with intention. An experience rooted in sound, community, and connection—made to live on in the hearts of fans forever.

The Heartbeat of the Crowd.

More than anything, the soul of the festival lived in the crowd. Rain or not, people stood shoulder to shoulder, singing, dancing, vibing. At first, when the rain started coming down, I thought naively that people might leave. I worried the vibe might fizzle out. But no one left. Instead, they pulled out ponchos, popped open mini umbrellas, and just kept on partying. They danced through the chill and sang through the wind, turning what could have been a damp mood into a communal celebration. That kind of resilience, that refusal to let a little rain dampen the spirit, is exactly why these moments are so special. Everyone was present—feeling it. And that’s what makes music festivals beautiful. Not just the stars on stage, but the community that shows up and dances on even in the rain.

In the end, this festival was a reminder of why I do what I do. Music heals. Photography captures time. And community sustains us. If you’ve never been to a festival, One Music Festival, I can’t recommend it enough. Make it your business to attend a music festival near you or even travel. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the sound, feel the community, and just let the music move you.

This is SOULSTATE by AROD, and this is just the beginning. Written by: Aaron “AROD” Wilson