Traditionally, November causes us to bleed out of our ears. It is a time when our radio stations like 99.9 KEZ make the conversion from its regular genre-specific drivel to around-the-clock Christmas-specific drivel. It is a time when department stores and grocery stores follow suit. It is a time when
In other words, by next week, one mention of the word “Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la” in our direction would usually have one of two results following shortly afterward: The beginning of The State Press’ prison sentence for assault, or the swearing off of music in general.
But not this time around. This year, it looks like will be different.
Tuesday night, at ASU’s Gammage Auditorium, Ben Folds performed, kicking off a month in which we have the opportunity to gain back our musical sanity.
Beyond Folds, the line-up reflects a great diversity of major bands across various genres: Minus the Bear, Method Man and Redman, Matisyahu, Smashmouth, Jason Mraz, Underoath and Misfits (and those are just to name a few). What’s more, the greatest band of all-time — Backstreet Boys — will be performing at Dodge Theatre on Nov. 21. And that doesn’t even include the biggest headliner, Coldplay, who will play Jobing.com Arena on Nov. 26.
All of the aforementioned names are among the acts coming to the Valley — and that’s just in the second half of November alone. December promises more, like AC/DC and Authority Zero — though, in full disclosure, it also offers Celine Dion.
Overall, there is hope for the Arizona music scene. Sure, we don’t match up with other cities’ musical points of pride; Seattle has its grunge, Detroit has its famous “Motown” soul, New Orleans has its jazz. But even if we’re unable to claim a musical victory of our own, we are certainly able to draw in the top acts and musical talents.
Now, the question remains whether or not the Valley of the Sun will support them. The economy is rough and wallets have thinned out, but if local music fans don’t support their bands now, the chances of upper echelon artists returning to local venues will suffer. If we want them back when the recession has passed, seats must be filled this month. For music lovers in Arizona, it is a critical time.
For those who could care less, there’s a reason to care more: If Phoenix’s First Fridays are any indication, blight can decrease in an arts-heavy area. By supporting performing arts in your local venues, you could be helping out your neighborhood in the long run. Who can argue that a $20 ticket to see some good live music isn’t worth it for revitalized, cleaner communities?
For one more instance of silver lining on the influx of world-class artists, we finally have something to ease us through the early holiday season’s crush of repetitive jingling music.
And, if nothing else, that should be music to all of our ears.
