M3F mainstage | Photo by Jason Siegel Photography
Arizona’s premier homegrown music festival has announced the lineup for its highly anticipated 18th year. Slated to be held at Hance Park in Downtown Phoenix on March 3 and 4, M3F is a nonprofit festival with 100 percent of its proceeds going to local charities. Last year’s event garnered a record $1.2 million.
In addition to announcing an eclectic lineup incorporating established and up-and-coming indie, pop, R&B and electronic artists, the festival also unveiled the launch of the M3F Fund, a public program that allows other nonprofit organizations to secure funding. All 501(c)(3) orgs – with priority to those that adhere to M3F’s primary pillars of community, education, arts and environment – are invited to apply with a detailed plan of how funds will be allocated.
“We launched the M3F Fund to exist as a year-round venture, leveraging the M3F platform and resources to create a tangible difference in our community,” the festival’s manager Warner Bailey said in a recent press release. “The M3F Fund exists as a 365-day ecosystem that allows us to continue our charitable efforts after the gates close.”
Fans may know quite a few names on this year’s lineup, but it also includes a handful of under-the-radar acts on the verge of recognition. Hawk-eyed music buffs might even notice Neil Frances (a duo from Los Angeles doling out dance-worthy pop tracks) and Neal Francis (a Chicago-based singer-songwriter) are both on the bill of this year’s M3F, a festival whose producers are known for providing a bigger stage for on-the-rise musicians. In the interest of giving attendees time to sort out at exactly which stage they’re meeting their friends, here’s a quick rundown of who will be performing in 2023.
Ashe: Millennial multihyphenate known for co-writing Demi Lovato’s “You Don’t Do It for Me Anymore.” Signed to Mom + Pop, whose roster includes indie heavyweights like Porter Robinson and Tycho.
Becky Hill: British breakthrough artist who wowed audiences on The Voice UK in 2012. Since then, her high-energy stage presence has made her a fixture on the festival circuit.
Bon Entendeur: French electronic group with disco, funk and hip hop influences. We dare you not to dance at their set.
COIN: Nashville-based trio redefining new wave for a new generation.
Chelsea Cutler: Pop and electronic artist who has collaborated with the likes of Louis the Child, Ayokay and Kasbo since bursting onto the scene in 2017.
Chiiild: Canadian band blending neo soul, psychedelic rock, R&B, jazz and pop to produce their own sound, self-described as “synthetic soul.”
Darius: Parisian producer bringing beats from the French Touch era to a new audience.
Del Water Gap: Inspired by “romantic encounters and dimly lit rooms,” New York multi-instrumentalist Samuel Holden Jaffe’s solo project is dreamy and evocative.
EVAN GIIA: Berklee College of Music alum Evan Giarrusso brings her unique brand of EDM to the masses.
Emmit Fenn: California DJ whose melodic beats are tailor-made for the festival crowd.
Flora ElmColone: Inspired by Carole King, Bob Dylan and Melissa Etheridge, this San Franciscan up-and-comer will capture the hearts of fans of spunky female singer-songwriters.
Hayden James: Signed to the same label as fellow Australian DJ Flume, house music maestro James has toured with Disclosure and Odesza.
Jamie xx: Founding member of English indietronica sensation The xx, Jamie has achieved commercial success in his own right, including a Grammy nomination for his sophomore album In Colour.
Jim-E Stack: Born and bred in San Francisco and honing his skills in everything from rock bands to jazz ensembles, Jim-E Stack gathers inspiration from a mix of genres including hip hop and indie pop to create a sound all his own.
Joshy Soul: As his name suggests, this California-based soloist produces soulful music combining funk, R&B and pop.
Maggie Rogers: Nominated for a Grammy and co-signed by Pharrell. If folk-pop darling Maggie Rogers isn’t already on your radar, here’s your sign that she should be.
Neal Francis: Midwestern musician who wears his heart on his sleeve. If the introspective lyrics and funky riffs from his 2021 album In Plain Sight don’t convert you, perhaps the fact that it was mixed by Grammy-winning producer Dave Fridmann – who’s worked with Spoon, Tame Impala and the Flaming Lips – will sway you.
Neil Frances: After years focusing on their own solo projects, the musical minds of Marc Gilfry and Jordan Feller finally came together to form this groovy electronic duo known for club anthems like “Music Sounds Better with You” and “Dumb Love” – which have millions of listens on Spotify.
Pachyman: Self-taught reggae renegade Pachy Garcia has rock roots (he formerly fronted indie outfit Prettiest Eyes) but switched from synth to steel drum during the pandemic. His sound combines the dub and dancehall of the 1960s and the psychedelic rock of the aughts.
Peach Pit: This Canadian indie quartet is no strangers to festivals. It’s brought its surf rock/jangle pop to stages from Bonnaroo to Bumbershoot, accumulating acclaim from music media outlets like Vice and Substream along the way.
Polo & Pan: This French electronic duo could create the score for a sultry foreign film, but their house- and disco-inspired sound is just as suitable as the soundtrack for an outdoor dance party.
Purple Disco Machine: German DJ who has worked with everyone from Lady Gaga to New Order. If that doesn’t say “talent,” we don’t know what does.
Quinn XCII: Michigan State alum whose Motown background blossomed into his signature blend of melodic hip hop.
Slug Bug: Tempe “indie jangle” band bringing some local flavor to the international lineup. Reminiscent of The Strokes, the foursome frequently plays at venues around the Valley.
St. Terrible: Described as a “multidisciplinary music project,” St. Terrible’s set is sure to be both visually and sonically immersive. Helmed by artist and musician Zach Herbert, its most recent release, An Endless Fiction, has a short film component available on YouTube.
The Bash Dogs: Allow this Los Angeles quartet to introduce you to the boogie-inducing genre “surf disco.”
The Jungle Giants: Female-fronted Australian indie rockers poised to incite some serious rug-cutting.
The Lagoons: With such singles as “California” and “Surfing,” it’s no surprise this mellow indie duo writes and records its music in a home studio in L.A.
Toro y Moi: Chillwave trailblazer Chaz Bear (aka Toro y Moi) recently made waves with his hit song “The Difference,” featuring lauded intelligent dance music DJ Flume.
Veronica Everheart: This singer-songwriter from Phoenix pulls no punches when it comes to her emotive songs, delivered in an always soulful and sometimes sarcastic manner.
Winston Surfshirt: Based on its name, you’d be forgiven for comparing this Australian funk/hip hop/indie collective with American alt-rapper Earl Sweatshirt, but if you catch their set, you’ll see they’re in a league all their own.
Beyond music, community and charity, M3F is also fiercely dedicated to sustainability. More than 80 percent of waste from the festival is recycled each year. Attendees can also expect an array of local food and beverage offerings, art installations, vendors and interactive activities. Friday, Saturday and weekend tickets are available at m3ffest.com.
