In the 1990s, Tempe was the epicenter of music in the Valley – and in the state – with acts including the Gin Blossoms and Jimmy Eat World getting their starts at venues like the Devil House and Long Wong’s. Over the years, that energy has waned, but a new crop of musicians and cultural advocates are hoping to restore the college town’s rock bona fides.
Producer and artist Ryan Eland aims to amplify Tempe’s music revival, blending history, community and sound through Mill Music Sessions, a concert series at the historical Hayden Flour Mill. The events typically draw between 700-1,000 attendees and raise funds for Tempe-based charities.
Ahead of the next Mill Music Sessions concert on January 31 (benefiting Tempe Sister Cities), we sat down with Eland to discuss the origins of the series and the evolution of live music in Tempe.
You created Mill Music Sessions to re-energize Tempe’s live music scene, which in recent years has taken a backseat to Downtown Phoenix amid venue closures and struggles. In a recent Substack post, you wrote that the music never really left and that a “third wave” is forming. What do you mean by that, and what does this moment feel like for Tempe music?
When I say a “third wave,” I mean Tempe’s music scene is rising again. This isn’t a nostalgic repeat of the past, though. It’s 2026, not 1993. We live in a completely different era, so of course it’s going to look different. But here’s the thing: The music never really left.
In the 1970s, Tempe was still on the edge of the greater Phoenix area. There were orchards, farms, then desert to the south. Walt Richardson, Alice Tatum, Joey Lobo and many others were here filling local spots with songs. These were the poets and songwriters who planted the seeds, and many of them are still around today. Walt still plays. Alice Tatum hosted a summer jazz series we did on Mill Avenue last year.
Then in the 1990s, things exploded. The Gin Blossoms, Jimmy Eat World, the Meat Puppets and others broke onto the national scene. What’s always fascinated me is how often people remember the places as much as the bands. Long Wong’s, the Sail Inn and many other venues no longer exist, but they still live warmly in people’s memories.
I’m not the expert on exactly what happened after the flashpoint of the 1990s, but talk to any performing musician who’s been around long enough, and they’ll tell you the center of gravity shifted and the energy moved on. That’s absolutely true. What we’re experiencing now feels different. Live music is popping up everywhere again, and we’re finding a lot of success using historic spaces around town like the Hackett House and the Hayden Flour Mill.
Why was the Hayden Flour Mill the right place for this series?
On a very practical level, it works. There’s already a stage, public transportation nearby, plenty of parking, and it sits in a commercial district where sound isn’t an issue. And we aren’t the first people to do live music there. Our [January 31] headliner, Wheelright, has played shows there before.
Plus, it’s just stunning to stand there. Airplanes are landing directly over the stage, but the music drowns them out. You look up over the stage and there’s Tempe Butte, known as Oidbaḍ Doʼag, or “A Mountain.” To the right, the grain silos tower into the sky. Old train tracks roll right up to the site. You stand there and think, this isn’t a run-of-the-mill music venue. This place could be Arizona’s version of Red Rocks, or the Gorge, or any other iconic outdoor venue. All the pieces are there for something truly special. I’m excited to watch it come together.
The first three shows, including the January 31 concert, were funded by the City of Tempe, but that funding has since been cut. How are you planning to keep Mill Music Sessions going?
The City of Tempe funded these first three shows as a pilot, and that support helped us prove what was possible. Now we’re moving into the next phase. We’re holding a fundraiser in the spring, and we’re already in conversations with potential long-term sponsors and partners who see the value in investing in something like this. The goal is to build a model that’s sustainable, community-supported, and flexible enough to grow over time.
And of course, if someone out there happens to be sitting on a pile of money and wants to help turn the Hayden Flour Mill into a truly iconic destination music venue, I wouldn’t say no to that. We’d tell your story, too.
Are you a 501(c)(3)? Or exploring other fundraising models?
We’re still figuring out the best long-term legal container for this work, and we’re being thoughtful about that process. Tempe already has a lot of strong nonprofit organizations doing meaningful work. Rather than rush to create something new, we’ve been intentionally partnering with groups that are already trusted in the community. That allows us to stay focused on the music while making sure fundraising and operations are handled responsibly.
As Mill Music Sessions continues to grow, we’ll evaluate whether forming our own nonprofit makes sense. For now, we’d rather collaborate with nonprofits and help support them. Spread the love.
These shows have benefited local charities. Since the events are free to attend, how do you raise funds for the organization?
Since the event is free to attend, we raise funds through a beer garden operated in partnership with Tempe Sister Cities. Nonprofits are able to activate a limited number of special-use liquor licenses each year, which allows us to serve alcohol without holding a license ourselves. We split the bar proceeds with the nonprofit, creating a direct fundraising opportunity while keeping the event accessible to the public. It’s a simple model, but it works well.
Walk us through the January 31 concert. What should attendees should know?
We have an exciting lineup with strong alt-country and bluegrass vibes.
At 12:30 p.m., Joe Giacinto, a blind savant clarinet player, will open the show. He recently played at a Phoenix Suns game, and the whole thing went viral.
At 1 p.m., Haley Green takes the stage. Haley is an incredible songwriter with a voice that melts your spine.
At 2 p.m., we have Katie Mae & the Lubrication. They’re an amazing alt-country band. Interestingly, they all started in a heavy metal band together years ago. They released an EP in 2025, and it’s so good.
At 3 p.m., Wheelright takes the stage. Jared Kolesar is the frontman. His prior band was called Jared and the Mill, literally named after the Hayden Flour Mill. Jared is a visionary musician and one of the best local songwriters. You don’t want to miss this.
We’ll also have legendary local artist Dumplarock creating an original piece of art live during the event that will be available for purchase. The beer garden is being run by Tempe Sister Cities, the same crew that produces Oktoberfest every year. Food will be provided by Wild Barbecue. They’re a newer barbecue spot in Tempe, and their food is unreal.
You’re booking the artists, securing permits, building the stage, and handling sound and lighting. How have you managed such a multifaceted undertaking?
This is so not a one-person operation. This whole effort has been a community project. The City of Tempe funded the pilot series. The Downtown Tempe Authority helped with resources, guidance, vendor connections and a lot of behind-the-scenes support. The flood of volunteerism and people simply willing to help has honestly been overwhelming… We’ve got a small but mighty stage crew, incredible marketing support, and a few elders guiding us with their wisdom and experience. It’s a dream team.
Music is the Switzerland of time. It’s a place where we can find each other again, drop the bitterness and resentment, and reconnect with each other’s humanity. When we’re around live music together, the heart in me finds a way to connect with the heart in you. Our differences seem to melt away, even if it’s just for a moment.
Also, life can feel heavy sometimes. We’re stressed, busy, hustling, scrolling, trying to make ends meet. This is something fun to do. People need more easily accessible fun things to do. I know I do.
What is your long-term vision for Mill Music Sessions and for the Hayden Flour Mill as a live-music destination?
My long-term vision is for the Hayden Flour Mill to become a true destination music venue for the Valley. This whole region is buzzing with live music right now. Downtown Mesa, Phoenix, Tempe and beyond. And then you’ve got places like Flagstaff, Bisbee, Tucson and Jerome with legendary venues steeped in history. It’s everywhere.
But we don’t really have that one iconic outdoor venue that feels inseparable from the landscape. I think the Flour Mill could be that. It already has the bones. The history. The setting. If we keep honoring the music, the artists and the community, something lasting can take root there. I’m trying to plant something deep that will last for a long time.
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
We’ve got a lot happening. The historic Hackett House is an incredible 150- to 200-person venue, and things have been picking up there, too. We’re helping with the Bike Saviors fundraiser on March 6, which is going to be an awesome time. We’re also bringing back the summer jazz series we piloted last year.
The truth is, I don’t know exactly how all of this is going to unfold. Every step of this journey has been taken in faith that the ground will rise up to meet me, and so far, it keeps doing just that. So, I’m going to keep walking forward, following the path where it leads and writing about it.
At the end of the day, it’s about the songs. I love the songs. The poetry. That’s my favorite part of all of this. Not the production, not the draw of the band, not the money. The songs.
The desert’s singin’, and I’m here for it. Come join us.
