Over the years, Arizona has developed a polarizing reputation in the national music scene.
When it comes to having a rich musical history, Phoenix pales in comparison to cities such as Chicago and New York, which are the first to attraction international acts. San Francisco and Austin are also more likely to get dates from touring bands, although Phoenix’s population exceeds both.
Moreover, in the wake of Senate Bill 1070, artists from Rage Against the Machine to Bright Eyes began refusing to perform in protest.
However, this lack of enthusiasm from big acts has meant when Phoenix music fans do get a chance to check out a killer show, they come out in droves. Phoenix is a major stop on the Vans Warped Tour, and Tempe proved to be an essential sold-out spot for the Railroad Revival Tour earlier this year. Thousands swarmed Tempe Town Lake for the third annual Fall Frenzy on Friday.
With the sold-out success of musical events ranging from GLOWfest to the Bon Iver/Fleet Foxes concert, Arizonans have proved they are willing to leave the comfort of their air-conditioned homes to celebrate good music, whether electronica or indie.
But it’s about time Phoenix got its own festival — we’re not talking Fall Frenzy, a national tour that was cut this year from a three-day festival to a one-night show. We’re not even talking McDowell Mountain Music Festival, which brings about two or three notable indie acts and a dozen underground folk acts to Arizona each spring. We’re talking a full-fledged fest, complete with big names, multiple stages, $40 T-shirts, celebrity attendees and acres of tents (maybe Sheriff Joe can even donate a few).
As the sixth largest city and fourteenth largest metropolitan area in the U.S., Phoenix has enormous potential for a massive music festival. After all, Chicago (America’s third largest city) has Lollapalooza, and Austin (America’s 13th largest) has Austin City Limits. Phoenix surely has more passionate music fans than Indio, Calif. (Coachella’s home) and Manchester, Tenn. (Bonnaroo) combined.
Not only is the public interest a major factor as to why an expansive Arizona concert is relevant, but there is a heavy amount of economic appeal with an event this size.
Vendors lined the Railroad Revival Tour, a show that exceeded 10,000 people. The shops and stands would have stuck around for a couple extra days. Tempe Beach Park hosts several large events with vendors over the course of the year. Now the pedestrian bridge allows attendees to get across the lake with more ease, opening another location for vendors or even another stage.
The point is that the Valley needs its grandstand. It needs its three-day celebration. The resources and interest are more than available.
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