Thousands of loyal baseball fans (in some cases nationwide) will be flocking to various Cactus League spring training games all across the Valley from today through March 25.
Which means it’s also time for thousands of loyal music fans to kick off the fun at Innings Festival this Fri. Feb. 21 and Sat. Feb. 22 at Tempe Beach and Arts Park.
Now in its seventh year, it seems to have found its niche within Arizona’s competitive music festival season. It also doesn’t hurt that our weather here (by and large) is pretty exceptional around this time. A win-win for everybody involved I imagine.
I should add though that the nights get a little chilly. Remember, it’s still winter right now (even if it doesn’t seem like it), so it might be a good idea to wear long sleeves when dusk hits. See what I did there?
As with previous Innings fests, there will be two stages of music on-site: the Home Plate stage and the Right Field stage, respectively.
Note the baseball-themed title of the stages. Yes, the organizers of Innings Fest have their bases covered with this annual festival that’s continued to grow in popularity since its 2018 inception.
On the Home Plate Stage Friday, you can catch headliner Fall Out Boy, along with Incubus, Slightly Stoopid, Jack Kays, and first act Boyish starting at 12:20 p.m.
The Right Field stage will feature headliner The Black Keys, along with All-American Rejects, Neon Trees, and first act Winona Fighter going onstage at 1:10 p.m.
On Saturday, the Home Plate Stage will feature headliner The Killers, with Beck, Gary Clark Jr., Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge, and Anna Graves getting things started at 12:35 p.m.
On the Right Field stage will be Boyz II Men, Jack’s Mannequin, The Kills, and Good Boy Daisy.
Just a quick reminder: you have five minutes in between acts to get to each stage. It’s not a long walk mind you, however, it’s probably ideal to wear a good pair of (tennis) shoes anyway.
By the way, no, I haven’t forgotten about the Left Field stage, which features the very cool Off The Mound with host (and former MLB player) Ryan Dempster.
In a nutshell, it’s sort of Dempster’s answer to a late-night talk show. Some of the Innings performers (and current/former MLB players) stop by to chat with him. By the way, the guests are never announced ahead of time.
Because of that, it makes Off The Mound a little more interesting, so I highly recommend you check it out while milling around the park.
Most of the baseball activities take place by the Left Field stage as well, such as batting cage and speed pitching areas.
MLB stars such as Ben Zobrist, Junior Spivey, and Evan Longoria will be on-site on Friday, while Chili Davis, Jake Peavey, Brett Butler and ESPN sportscaster Jessica Mendoza will be appearing on Saturday.
Doors for Innings Festival open at 12:00 p.m. on Fri. and Sat. Both days conclude at 10:30 p.m.
All ticket information and the full schedule for Innings Festival can be found at www.inningsfestival.com
No worries: ‘Innings’ will once again go into ‘Extra Innings’ Feb. 28 and March 1
For the second year, there’s now another weekend of baseball and music mingling together with the cleverly-titled Extra Innings festival next Fri. Feb. 28 and Sat. March 1.
On Friday, headliners The Lumineers will take the Home Plate stage, along with Megan Maroney, Wyatt Flores, Evan Honer, with Jason Scott and the High Heat starting at 1:05 p.m.
The Right Field stage will feature closing act Red Clay Strays. Also scheduled to perform are O.A.R., Trampled by Turtles, Lily Fitts, and Red Leather going on first at 12:15 p.m.
On the Left Field stage, Off The Mound w/Ryan Dempster takes place for two “shows” at 3:45 and 5:45 p.m., repectively. MLB players Coco Grisp, Brady Anderson, and Mike Hargrove will be appearing as well.
For the “grand finale” on Sat. March 1, the Home Plate Stage will be taken over by headliner Kacey Musgraves, who played at Desert Diamond Arena last September. From what I’ve heard, she’s definitely a “must see” live.
With Kings of Leon, Max McNown, Maggie Antone, and George Pippen also onstage that day, I think the fans attending will be very satisfied.
Taking the Right Field stage will be headliner Maren Morris, along with Grace Potter, Sam Barber, Tanner Usrey, and Wheelwright.
On the Left Field stage, MLB stars Derek Lee and Javy Lopez will be part of the baseball activities. As well as Off The Mound w/Ryan Dempster.
Plenty of food vendors will be scattered all over as well. To clarify, everything is cashless at both Innings and Extra Innings.
For the complete schedule of artists and ticket information, please go to www.inningsfestival.com/extra
