In the glow of stage lights, thousands of festival-goers found an outlet to experiment with style this weekend at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix.
M3F Music Festival allowed music lovers to come together March 6-7 and wear anything they wanted — there were no rules under the lasers. The popular styles this year encapsulated M3F at its core, a blend of Arizona's eclectic music scene and newfound embrace of EDM.
Some people valued comfort and practicality, while other attendees opted for complex ensembles to show off their wardrobe.
Thomas Hancock-Bacon, a senior studying finance and sustainability, wore a beige flowy outfit that felt right at home in the desert.
"(Fashion is) definitely one lens within which people express themselves," Hancock-Bacon said. "I think that it's a good identifier of what you're there to do and what your type of intention is with the night."
Saturday's fashion showcased boho influences that felt reminiscent of Coachella, between cowboy boots, bandanas and an earthy color palette.
Amongst the massive crowds, costumes helped some people stand out.
Cole Schmoyer, a sophomore studying business, wore a cookie monster onesie. He said the outfit is his go-to festival fit because "comfort is key."
Other festival-goers used their costumes to make the experience interactive and build community.
Jacob Arrington, an ASU alumni, has been going to M3F since 2018. To prepare for the festival, his friend group picks a theme and coordinates.
He said their matching outfits help the friends find each other and feel connected.
Friday, the group's theme was lumberjack. On Saturday, they sported matching "Where's Waldo?" costumes.
"The way we do fashion, it's a conversation starter," Arrington said. "Sometimes people are a little more trustworthy if you're all dressed up, because you might seem a little more seasoned in the festival scene."
Accessories can play a pivotal part in music culture. Originating from the rave community, kandi are bracelets that attendees swap to spread peace, love, unity and respect, or also known as PLUR within the community.
READ MORE: Unpacking Arizona raves, and how their popularity might be killing the culture
Arrington said they try ways to make the festival experience interactive, such as by giving out bracelets that match the day's theme.
Artists used style to express their identity beyond the music. RIO KOSTA, a groovy electronic group, had a clear 70's aesthetic. Bellbottom jeans and patterned shirts set the stage before they even began playing.
Josh Murphy, known as The Kaleidoscope Kid, is an artist from Arizona who creates self-described "psychedelic" indie.
His outfit was simple: a backwards cap, t-shirt and brown jeans. But Murphy didn't need an outlandish outfit to represent himself.
Murphy's pedestrian style made it easy for him to connect with the audience during his set. He said when performing, his goal is to be a mirror for the audience.
"We all express ourselves through fashion and through art and those exterior things," he said. "It's very, very important as a creative outlet."
Magdalena Bay also utilized fashion during their set with numerous costume changes that moved their performance along. One standout moment was when vocalist Mica Tenenbaum changed into angel wings for the finale.
By Saturday, the festival delved into full rave glamour. The vibe completely shifted as attendees prepared for Mau P and dozens of other DJ sets.
M3F took a sonic turn this year, embracing EDM and house. Fashion reflected the shift; Pashminas and sunglasses were far as the eye could see. Glitter, strappy outfits and neon hues took over, especially as the sun went down and the lights turned on.
Rae and Nicole "Cola" Henderson are the twins behind Chicago-inspired house DJ duo RaeCola. They have used style as a way to differentiate between each other since they were kids.
"We both went to school for fashion, and both have loved fashion our whole lives," Rae Henderson said. "So we definitely, when starting music, knew that was something that we wanted to kind of tie together with our projects."
The pair showed off trendy pieces during their set, dressed head-to-toe in outfits that popped from behind the DJ booth. Even their meticulously-styled hair contributed to their aesthetic.
Rae Henderson said they mix styles such as grunge with earth tones and pops of color.
"If you saw our look and you heard the music, it makes sense," Nicole Henderson said. "It gives you a little taste into our world before you hear it."
Fashion has always gone hand in hand with music. As M3F grows year after year, the styles that show up reflect what fans are interested in.
"The festival rave scene is the perfect place to try to display and just be yourself," Nicole Henderson said. "I love looking around and seeing people dress and be so free."
Edited by Kasturi Tale, Senna James and Sophia Braccio.
Reach the reporter at ajanusee@asu.edu and follow @lexijanusee on X.
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Lexi Janusee is in her second semester with the State Press. She is a freshman studying Journalism and Mass Communications with a minor in Theatre. Lexi also works for Blaze Radio, and is an on-air host for Open Mic.
