GEARS & GUITARS FEST WELCOME CRACKER & NINE DAYS ~ AUG. 4, 2023

Gears & Guitars Fest just wrapped up their 10th annual event in Winston-Salem, NC. This year’s event ran from August 4th through 6th and is hosted by Winston-Salem Cycling. Each year this includes multiple cycling events in downtown Winston-Salem, NC and a huge stage to host some amazing music acts as well. This year’s live music was free for everyone to attend and as music lovers we were stoked to check them out.

On Friday, August 4th, the stage was set up on Marshall St. just below some of the cycling events also being held. Everyone was out in full force supporting these local events. They blocked off an area of downtown for the events to take place and everyone loved being able to walk from event to event. Nine Days started out the music portion of the festival that evening. The sun was out and it was a hot one, but it certainly didn’t keep anyone away. Only a few people had come in bringing chairs before the concert started, but by the end of Nine Days set this street was packed with attendees who were treated to an incredible set by the band.

While a lot of concert goers came just to see the bands playing, a lot of people working or living nearby also showed up once they heard the music going and everyone had a blast. When Cracker hit the stage, the sun had gone down, and that’s when all the dancing started. Every time I turned around I felt like I saw even more people show up.

I’d seen Cracker just a couple of months ago and I swear they impress me every time with how quickly they can fully capture an audience. They started out their show with “Euro-Trash Girl” and then treated the audience to a full 17-song set before ending on “Pictures Of Matchstick Men.” Check out some photos from their incredible set that night taken by I’m Music Magazine Photographer Daphne McKinney.