Editor's note: This story was updated on March 12 to reflect event cancellations due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus.
The Phoenix metropolitan area is home to vibrant and niche concert venues galore — and this month, they’re offering some amazing shows.
Take a look at these Valley concerts happening throughout March.
March 9: Orville Peck at The Van Buren
Orville Peck is a masked cowboy paying homage to rock music of the 1950s and '60s with an instantly entrancing croon. Blending country, shoegaze, psychedelic, folk and classic rock, Peck has crafted a unique sound that resonates with a wide range of fans. Peck will be performing a 13+ show at the The Van Buren on his "The Road to Luck" tour on March 9. Teddy and the Rough Riders will serve as the opening act. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 8. You can buy tickets for the concert here.
March 10: Thundercat at The Van Buren
Grammy-winner Thundercat, an R&B artist known for working with Erykah Badu and Flying Lotus, is touring to promote his upcoming album "It Is What It Is." Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner, who received critical acclaim for his 2017 album "Drunk," will play a 13+ concert at The Van Buren on March 10 with Guapdad 4000 as the opening act. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 8. You can buy tickets for this event here.
March 11: Yves Tumor at Crescent Ballroom
Yves Tumor, the mysteriously cool persona of producer and performer Sean Bowie, takes influence from genres like krautrock, ambient and R&B to offer his listeners a new kind of sound. Tumor released his nearly perfect "Safe in the Hands of Love" in 2018, and is touring to promote his forthcoming project "Heaven To A Tortured Mind." Tumor will be playing a 21+ concert at the Crescent Ballroom on March 11, with ECCO2K as the opening artist. Doors for the event will open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 8. You can buy tickets for this event here.
March 12: FINKEL at the Lunchbox
The laid-back melodies of Los Angeles pop duo FINKEL are making their way to Phoenix this month as the pair prepares for the release of their forthcoming album "Backpack of Snacks." FINKEL, comprised of Jane and Brian Spencer, will be playing a 21+ concert at the Lunchbox on March 12, with doors opening a 7:30 p.m. You can purchase tickets for this event here.
March 13: Good Morning at Valley Bar
Bedroom pop duo Good Morning, hailing from Australia and consisting of Stefan Blair and Liam Parsons, is coming to Phoenix after the 2019 release of "The Option" and "Basketball Breakups." Good Morning will be playing a 16+ concert at Valley Bar, a hidden venue in the heart of downtown Phoenix, on March 13. The venue’s doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30. You can buy tickets for this event here.
March 15: Great Grandpa at The Rebel Lounge
Great Grandpa, a five-man alternative rock band from Seattle, Washington, will be performing with Alien Boy and Damn The Weather in Phoenix this month. They will be playing an all-ages show at the historic Rebel Lounge on March 15, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show beginning at 8. You can buy tickets for this event here.
March 20: GROUPLOVE at The Van Buren (POSTPONED)
GROUPLOVE, a band known for its upbeat, high-energy pop-rock anthems and the smash hit "Tongue Tied," was scheduled to play a show in Phoenix this month a week after the release of their upcoming album "Healer." However, the group announced on Twitter that it will postpone its upcoming tour dates due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.
March 21: Slow Caves at The Rebel Lounge (POSTPONED)
Indie rock band Slow Caves, a Colorado-based trio of brothers Jakob and Oliver Mueller and their childhood friend David Dugan, was scheduled to play at The Rebel Lounge on March 21, alongside openers Post Hoc and Summerhead. However, the band announced on March 9 that its West Coast tour is postponed due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.
March 24: Katie Pruitt at Valley Bar
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Katie Pruitt is touring her latest release, "Expectations," a confessional exploration into country, folk and modern rock. Pruitt will be at Valley Bar for a 16+ show on March 24, with Tre Burt playing as the opener. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the first set will begin at 8. You can buy tickets for this event here.
March 25: Beach Slang at The Rebel Lounge
Hailing from Philadelphia, Beach Slang, a band that pulls influence from the surf rock and punk genres, will be in Phoenix this month touring their latest release "The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City." They will be playing an all-ages show at The Rebel Lounge on March 25, with The Aquadolls and New Chums performing as the openers. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 8. You can buy tickets for this event here.
March 26: Ringo Deathstarr at The Rebel Lounge (POSTPONED)
Texan rock group Ringo Deathstarr, originally formed in 2005, brings a modern twist to the shoegaze genre, drawing obvious influence particularly from My Bloody Valentine and Lush. The band was scheduled to play at The Rebel Lounge this month, but announced on March 11 that the show is postponed due to concerns over the coronavirus.
March 26: Tommy Cash at Valley Bar
Tommy Cash, styled as TOMM¥ €A$H, is a rapper who has skyrocketed to fame in his home country of Estonia. Cash has received acclaim in the U.S. from his work with the PC Music record label, AG Cook, Danny Harle, Rick Owens and, most notably, Charli XCX. His 2018 album “¥€$” garnered positive reviews from critics. Cash will be playing a 16+ show at Valley Bar on March 26, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. and the show beginning at 8. You can buy tickets for his concert here.
March 28: The Ocean Blue at Crescent Ballroom
Debuting in 1989, The Ocean Blue consists of four members all originating from Hershey, Pennsylvania. Crafting a nearly perfect dream pop sound, The Ocean Blue released their first album in six years, "Kings and Queens / Knaves and Thieves," in 2019. The Ocean Blue will be playing a 21+ show at the Crescent Ballroom on March 28. Arizona’s Fine China will serve as the opening act, and doors will open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8. You can buy tickets to this event here.
March 31: AJJ at The Pressroom
Hailing from Phoenix, folk-punk group AJJ, originally Andrew Jackson Jihad, garnered national attention with the 2007 release of “People That Can Eat People Are The Luckiest People In The World." The band recently released “Good Luck Everybody” to moderate acclaim. AJJ will be playing an all-ages show at The Pressroom on March 31, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show starting at 8. You can buy tickets for the event here.
March 31: Best Coast at Crescent Ballroom (POSTPONED)
The Los Angeles-based surf rock band Best Coast, comprised of Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno, soared to reputability within the alternative music scene with their 2010 debut “Crazy For You." Best Coast was scheduled to perform at the Crescent Ballroom on March 31, but announced on March 12 that much of the group's North American tour, including the Phoenix show, is postponed.
Other concerts happening in the Valley this month are Palehound, Tchami, Gashi, SOB X RBE, Nap Eyes, Post Malone and Winona Forever.
Reach the reporter at stellefs@asu.edu or follow @samtellefson on Twitter.
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Sam Ellefson is the Editor of State Press Magazine, leading a team of writers, editors and designers in creating four print issues each semester. Sam is a senior getting dual degrees in journalism and film studies and is pursuing an accelerated master's in mass communication at ASU.
