This weekend is way too packed.

It’s spring (for Tucson).

It’s not 100-bajillion degrees yet, and driving here is actually ~okay~. So of course every venue taking advantage of this.

To help, I picked a few shows out, based on the vibes you might be looking for this weekend. 

A few things before I get into it

• If you’re looking for all shows that are this weekend, check out this calendar I made. I looked at all venues as well as shows that I knew had Tucson locals, but if you don’t see yours here, reach out to me by filling out this form.
• This is not a top 5 shows list, just shows that I believe will be good for a specific audience (ex. someone who wants to dance will go to the ‘dance guaranteed show’ etc). I’ll have another post about how I pick these soon.
• Also, for next week, sign up for this newsletter here. You’ll get the a list of shows at the beginning of the week ( straight to you!) with some other fun oogles to look at.

Let’s get into it.

Elephant in the Venue: 

Tucson Folk Festival

• When: Friday, April 4th – Sunday, April 6th
• Where: Downtown Area ( See Map here)
• Genre: Folk 
• Price: Free 
• Link
• Why go? You get to see 150+ shows for free. It’s also not what you believe stereotypical folk is too. Here are some of the highlights that will make you not judge the book by its cover.
  • The Young Artist Showcase at Wildflower Stage: Young Tucson Artists are given a stage next to the headliners to showcase what the next generation is all about. Here’s a list of those performers and their bios.
  • Laz Azaleas: This all-women ensemble shines a light on the floral, dramatic edges of mariachi inspired music. They are able to conjure a magic through their vocals that entices your ear to listen just a bit more. Website
  • D Fakton Nine: A family band that highlights Tohono O’odham folk, blending in a bit of jazz with rhythms that are nostalgic to us Tucson natives. Another set that’s you won’t be sitting down for. Facebook

If you want to have your Lucy Grey moment though, Sophia Rankin and the Sound and Lizzie are performing this as well. If you are a follower of mine, you already know a lot about them. If not, here’s some videos that recap them: 

Breakout Show:

High School Battle of the Bands

• When: Sunday, April 6th at 12:00 PM
• Where: Reid Park
• Genre: Rock
• Price: Free
• Link for more info
• Why go? There is nothing more satisfying seeing a band blossom into something great, and this event gives you a head start.
• Here’s some of the bands to check out before the war.
• D!STORTED: A Nogales rock band with a mix of Green Day, Blink 182, and Beastie Boys. They have a clean pop punk sound and have some fun with their bass and flows. Instagram

• The Calmets: “Calm” is in their name. Chill indie that makes you want to play video games while it’s raining outside. Instagram

• Unofficial: A variety of chugs, classic emo vocals, and a bit of some 5 Seconds of Summer energy. This is especially so on their song Bittersweet. Instagram

• Faces in Motion – Art rock with some indie, bluegrass, and of course – experimental. However, the melodies are soft and evoke curiosity on the mind. Instagram
• Florence Boulevard: A band not afraid to be flowery and grungy. Both are done enticingly well! Instagram

• The Silver Scarecrows – Your typical teen garage band that is on the legendary course of becoming a true dad rock band. Instagram

Mouth Guard Show: 

Portrait in Grey, Overnight, and Brawliday Inn with Backlip ( CO) and Rvbomb ( CO)

• When: Saturday, April 5th at 7:00 PM
• Where: Global Justice Center
• Genre: Hardcore
• Price: $12 at door
• Link to Flyer
• Why go? Still Cold Booking has just turned one year old, but is beautifully able to tie the locals in with the overall hardcore scene. Their events are energetic and have some of the most attended shows in town. A bit about the local ones here:
  1. Portrait in Grey: Vocals heavily reminiscent of Bad Omen’s Noah Sebastian, this metalcore band leans towards the grungier, dirtier side of the genre. Instagram
  2. Overnight: The drums and their sequences are enough to recommend this band. Fast pace, yet have perfect transitions that feel like a gut punch.  Instagram

• Keep each other safe, be aware of what others are doing around you, and for the love of god respect the space. 

Chill Show

Space Travelers Union

• When: Saturday, April 5th at 9:00 PM
• Where: R Bar
• Genre: Jazz
• Price: Free (21+) 
• Why Go? If you are feeling about just going to the bar at night and chill for a bit, this is the place to go. I got introduced to this band when they did the Super Smash Bro’s tournament, and they improvised their playing in accordance with what was going on in the fight. These are smart, talented, and insanely creative players, who I can tell try to change it up now and then. Good place to chill and enjoy some ingenuity at play. Instagram.

Dancing Guaranteed: 

Desert Child Single Release Party with All Yours and Lizzie

• When: Friday, April 4th at 7:00 PM
• Where: Club Congress
• Genre: Indie Rock
• Price: $12 ( Ticket Link)
• Why Go? It’s like if the indie scene here had a baby.
• All three of these bands however have differences in their music. I’ve highlighted Lizzie above, but here are the other heavy hitters.
  1. All Yours: Energetic performers who studied the ways of New Misphoria and Orchadia to bring you their show experience. They’re not afraid to have fun and feel the music, and that’s contagious. Instagram

1. Desert Child: Mgmt inspired flounciness and the shiniest parts of beach indie come together to bring an undeniably joyful sound. Instagram

You also have 10 other shows you can go to this weekend. All shows are listed here. 

Next week will be a different list, but you can actually sign up for this newsletter to get it 

Where’s Kat going: I will be dying beneath the rays of the warm sun, thirsting for water or the sweet release of a limeade. I will be sprawling on a rock wall at the bottom of a cliff trying to figure out the way to stop the hextech, I will be battling ceramic robots that my lab partner-turned jesus created after he didn’t like the fact that I threw him into an object that looks like what happens when you ask adobe lightroom to remove a microphone from a picture and it just decides to flip the fuck out.