March 12 2016 Downtown Phoenix the place to be, with multiple events going on around the city from Phoenix Fashion Weeks Spring Into Fashion to McDowell Mountain Music Festival going on a ways down the road. Phoenix is vibrant with lights and sounds. Viva Phx showcases 70 bands and 17 venues spread out across the downtown area.
Our first priority is to get our tickets exchanged for wristbands at The Talking Stick Resort Arena and we are off with our map in hand looking at which acts we wanted to see, our first stop is the Cityscape Stage By Downtown Phoenix Inc its 7:00pm and El Ten Elven has taken the stage the crowd has started early, lines for ID check are long upon entrance but the bar service is quick and there is a lot of room to see the stage.
El Ten Eleven opens with a good set, they are an instrumental post rock duo from Los Angles, the crowd is really into the music and the group sets a good mood and ambients to whats to follow. With guitar, bass and drums filling the space the crowd enjoys the music.
Beach Fossils is next on the lineup, they are an indie rock band from Brooklyn, the crowd is excited as the band walks out and it was a good time. Definitely a band I need to check out again.
I dipped out half way through Beach Fossils set to try and catch From Indian Lakes at the Masonic Temple but sadly I had a hard time finding it due being distracted by food trucks and Lucha Lebre wrestling on Monroe St. I caught the begining of Rocket From The Crypt which confirmed my suspicion that I missed From Indian Lakes and was going to be late to see Kitten, from what I heard the crowd was loving them. Walking along the streets and alleys I could see different shows happening like the outside of the 2nd Ave stage @ Crescent Ballroom and I caught a gilmpes of a packed house at the Boiler Room Stage, finally I found my way to the Masonic Temple.
Kitten is a the brain child of front woman Chloe Chaidez from Los Angeles, walking into the Masonic Temple the venue was packed, her performance and interaction with the crowd was all love. The band had great energy and the response from the crowd was that they really loved Kitten.
Lydia is one of my favorite bands, they are an indie rock band from Gilbert Arizona and to no surprise they are well loved by many. This being their home they have a very dedicated following behind them. The timing was pushed back due to technical difficulties with Kitten’s set and Lydia’s set was having issues with sound as well which had the crowd waiting for about an hour past what they were scheduled for, but alas they came out and all was right in the world. Nothing but love for Lydia and from the look of Leighton’s smile he was happy to be there too. The crowd sang every song back to them and it was my favorite performance of the night. I will continue to see Lydia whenever I can because I know its going to be a great time to be had, seeing a lot of the same faces and singing whatever mix of new and old favorites.
Another local band to take the stage at the Masonic Temple was Phoenix’s rock band The Technicolors, they came out and played a wonderful set, (for those who stuck around till the end, how sick was that circle pit!), that was a first I’ve seen at The Technicolors show but I was feeling it. Defiantly a great way to end the night.
All in all Viva Phx delivered a great experience and mix of artist of all genres that anyone could get into. It was hard to pick and choose which artist I wanted to see and if I wanted to make the trek to a different venue, but I was more than satisfied with the performances I saw. I’m very jealous of those who got to see Dry River Yatch Club and Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra.