The ultimate guide to Mesa Music Festival
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Downtown Mesa is transforming into one big music venue this weekend.
Why it matters: Mesa Music Festival brings more than 200 performances across bars, breweries and stages Friday and Saturday.
Here's a cheat sheet to the music festival's massive lineup.
🤠 Country-rock fans: Christopher Shayne brings gritty "Wild West" rock to the main stage Friday night.
🤘 Back for an encore: Grammy-nominated nu-metal band P.O.D. headlined the fest in 2017 — and returns nine years later to close out Saturday night.
🌴 Island state of mind: Tucson's Baja Caravan mixes reggae, Latin and desert-rock sounds.
🖤 Alt-rock lovers: Catch the grunge and emo of Crossing I's Dotting T's and the punchy alternative punk of Pushing Veronica.
✨ Pop fans: Try the electronic pop of Nicole & Scotty or the moodier alt-pop of Electr1k Bloom.
🌵 Support the local scene: Tempe's Rainbolt.band plays melodic indie rock, and Valley's Viper Club delivers energetic modern rock.
🌸 Try something new: Add PlaYuH or WinterHaven, a Flagstaff pop-punk band, to your discovery list.
🔥 Turn up the heat: Arizona's Manos de Muerto blends heavy metal with Latin American influences and bilingual lyrics.
🎤 Meet the music makers: Gardner Cole, who's written songs for Madonna and Tina Turner, joins All-American Rejects frontman Tyson Ritter and former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield for free talks Thursday at Mesa Arts Center.
😂 Need a laugh? The festival's new Off the Main comedy stage at Reverb features stand-up and roast battles Friday, plus an open mic and improv workshop Saturday.
🍺 Best way to do it: Swing by Oro Brewing, Chupacabra Taproom, Phantom Fox Beer Co. or Pedal Haus between shows.
- Much of the lineup is made up of emerging artists, so wandering between stages is part of the point.
If you go: Free for all ages.
- Music runs 5–10pm Friday and noon–10pm Saturday.
- Expect a closure at Main St. and MacDonald.
The bottom line: Check the festival website for the final schedule and map.