The best and the worst Saturday for music festival fans is coming to Phoenix on March 12, and it’s difficult to decide whether I should be crying from excitement or misery.
As McDowell Mountain Music Festival continues its three-day run in Margaret T. Hance Park with Kid Cudi and Porter Robinson, Viva PHX will be taking over the rest of downtown Phoenix with Crystal Castles and The Growlers. But the thrilling takeover of Phoenix by incredible musicians also means local fest fans will have to make a difficult decision.
Unfortunately, my upcoming, full-weekend attendance at M3F means the Viva PHX 2016 ship has completely sunk for me. Nevertheless, my would-haves can still be of use to lucky Viva PHX attendees.
If you’ve chosen to take Viva PHX’s side in the local music power struggle, or if you’re planning on taking a day off M3F to make your polyamorous relationship with both music festivals work out, here are my picks for the top acts I would see if life were fair:
1. XYLØ, 8 p.m., CityScape
I have no idea why I never heard of XYLØ until the Viva PHX lineup announcement. The duo’s music is captivating. I could only imagine how nicely singer Paige Duddy’s magnetic voice would echo through an amp, paired with Chase Duddy’s productions. XYLØ impressed me the moment I began listening to their debut EP “America,” which was just released on Feb. 26. Need more convincing to head to their set? Listen to their single “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” and no explanations will be necessary.
2. Neon Indian, 9 p.m., CityScape
Neon Indian truly makes me question why I don’t listen to electronic music more often, which is honestly a major feat. The band has come a long way since the 2011 release of “Polish Girl.” While I find it debatable whether or not the band has surpassed the excellent work in the hit single, Neon Indian has surely remained just as relevant, as well as an enduring talent I would love to see live. This will be the band’s first Phoenix performance since the release of its third album, “VEGA INTL. Night School,” so even the most dedicated Neon Indian fans can likely expect a new experience.
3. The Growlers, 10:45 p.m., Monroe Outdoor Stage
How could I make a Viva PHX 2016 wish list without The Growlers? The founders of the SoCal Beach Goth festival (and quite possibly ‘beach goth’ itself), the musicians are the right amount of mellow and quirky to top off an indie music festival. The Growlers’ music is so utterly satisfying that I have to wonder how much better a live experience would be. Much like Neon Indian, this will be the band’s first Phoenix performance since its “Gay Thoughts” EP was released.
4. Kitten, TBA
Kitten is a band that rarely gets the recognition it deserves. Fusing modern indie rock with a ‘80s pop vibe, Kitten constantly brings unique sounds to the table. While the band is relatively young, it’s impossible to discount the extensive experience behind it, which is bound to come with a solid set list and a fitting stage presence. Vocalist Chloe Chaidez was already an opener for significant bands by the time she was 12, after all.
While Kitten’s exact position in the lineup has not been released yet, I would definitely skip out on other performances to see this one. Kitten is one of the biggest reasons I am heartbroken to be missing Viva PHX.
5. Lydia, TBA
While the time and location of Lydia’s performance has not been set, including the band in this list is a must. Despite the fact its genre is primarily in the indie sector, Lydia definitely has a wider appeal than most artists on the lineup. It’s a rarity for bands from my hometown of Gilbert to make it big, but Lydia has used its broad genre to rise to a relative success over the years, boasting performances at Vans Warped Tour and other popular festivals. It would be interesting to see how their large-scale experience will translate onto one of the Viva PHX stages.
Contact the columnist at Emily.Liu@asu.edu
