This weekend more than 40 bands will participate in the second annual Tempe Music Festival at the Tempe Beach Park Amphitheater.
"Arizona doesn't have its own music festival, so we're starting this off thinking it will be bigger and better each year," said Ashley Saba, event marketing director. "We're trying to make it a community event, kind of getting everyone involved."
The event runs Friday April 2 from 5 p.m. to midnight and Saturday April 3 from noon to midnight. The park is located on the northwest corner of Rio Salado Parkway and Mill Avenue.
Last year over 20,000 people attended the event, but Saba said they hoped to have closer to 30,000 attend this year.
"We hope to have stages all along the lake one day," she said.
This year the festival has five stages.
Friday night will feature performances by several groups, including the Ataris and Cake.
The main act for the festival is Sugar Ray, who will be performing Saturday night. Other Saturday acts include Dexter Freebish and Pennywise.
Some other bands participating are Unwritten Law, Clear Static, Denver Harbor, Steadman, Ima Robot and Kill Radio.
Saba said the music festival was unique because several competing radio stations were helping to sponsor the event.
"The stations are really behind it, they are really trying to make it work," she said. It just shows that they really believe in it."
Carolyn Reyes is the marketing specialist for the event.
She said that her favorite part of the event was the "Lil' Rockers Zone," because it was "an area created for kids to enjoy free of charge."
The event will also feature a high school battle of the bands on Saturday afternoon. The bands will compete to win a $500 scholarship.
On Friday night DJ Mike Rizzo from New York will be hosting an outdoor dance club from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Saba said the environment would be very fun.
"It will be a diverse atmosphere-you won't be only hearing the same kind of music," she said.
Saturday night will also feature open microphone karaoke from 9 to midnight.
In addition, the festival will have an extreme sports area. Athletes will perform tricks and stunts on a mini-course and ramp and then they will go up on stage and perform with their bands.
Guitar builders will also be on hand to showcase their talents.
Saba said she liked to call the event, "beer, bands and babes."
"The level of entertainment has gone way up," she said. "We're excited. It's been a long time in the running."
The Coors Light "Twins" will be visiting and there will be also be a special tribute to the Beatles. A giant "wall of sound" will also be demonstrated.
"We're going to build this festival and make it Arizona's own music festival," said Saba.
Reach the reporter at jeremy.a.cluff@asu.edu
