When the rock band comes home to say goodbye

In the 12 years since Mile of Music launched, hundreds of bands have come to Appleton to say hello.

This year, one of its favorites came to say good-bye.

Wild Adriatic, a rock band based in New York, announced earlier this year that Mile of Music would be its last gig. Fourteen years after they launched to impressive reviews in Rolling Stone Magazine and USA Today, band members Mateo Vosganian, Travis Gray and Richie Derbyshire are signing off.

“After our performances at Mile of Music in Wisconsin, we will no longer be touring, recording or writing for the foreseeable future,” the band wrote on its Instagram page. “Our group phone call ended with us all saying ‘I love you.’ No big blowouts, no unnecessary drama.”

Appleton might seem like an odd choice to send off a band that has played all over the country and through several European tours, but if you’d have seen any of their sets this weekend, you’d understand. At Mile of Music, Wild Adriatic’s swan song became a rocking good time.

The band first came to Appleton in 2014, and, despite a six-year hiatus, they never really left.

“We’ve spent more time in Appleton than in any other city, other than our own,” drummer Mateo Vosganian said during one of the band’s sets this weekend. “Appleton is home.”

We met the band when they played Mile 2 and, despite an embarrassing gaffe by yours truly, we’ve been big fans ever since.

They came to the festivals, and they stopped by for random visits in between. Mid cross-country tour in 2015, they stopped by Appleton for a little spontaneous reboot. On the third day, they hosted a pop-up concert at an old church. My son Vinnie and I had no idea what to expect when we stuck our heads in the door for that one, and we ended up having a spectacular time. Richie ran up and down the crowded aisles with sweaty glee and the stained glass windows pulsated with joy (or fear. At one point I worried they might shatter).

Wild Adriatic rocked the rafters at this years festival too, though, wisely, the band played mostly outdoor venues. Saturday night at Houdini Plaza, Mateo told a poignant story. As his wife put their toddler to bed in the hotel room Friday night, Wild Adriatic played a set in the park below.

“She could hear us playing as she put our baby to bed,” he said. “So I want to thank you, Appleton, for that cool memory.”

Music transcends the bands that create it, and Wild Adriatic’s songs will live on.

Thank you to Wild Adriatic for all the music, energy and joy you brought to Appleton and best wishes on whatever comes next.

We’ll leave the light on for you.