A Friday in Phoenix: M3F 2024 Opening Day in Review
by Abby Crutchfield
Steele Indian School Park in Downtown Phoenix was the place to be on March 1st if you are even the slightest bit interested in live music. With opening acts like Arlo Parks and Tommy Newport, rounding off the night with Mr Dominic Fike himself, M3F was extremely successful on all fronts.
At 1 o’clock on the dot, security began checking bags, volunteers began scanning tickets, and fans went rushing to go camp for their favorite headlining artists. The weather was perfect; a cool breeze balanced out by the Arizona sun, and made all of the waiting worthwhile.
Tommy Newport kicked off the Vista stage with funky melodies and smooth vocals. The bands energy was perfect for an opening act, and got the crowd excited for what was to come.
Their saturated outfits, sunny weather and groovy tones all banded together to make for a perfect start to a beautiful day; one filled with music, food, and fun.
Following Tommy Newport were a DJ duo who go by the name of Motel Club. Their unique style and sound kept the audience zoned in and kept energies high.
They used samples from older classics and were very attentive to the crowds mood and energy, and adjusted to keep the enthusiasm high.
The crowd fed into the vibrant bass that rattled the ground by tossing around beach balls and nodding their heads. Motel Club kept pushing the excitement with their set, and there was still much to come.
As the sun began to set, Arlo Parks took the stage with silky vocals and poppy tones. The crowd was full of energy, and Arlo Parks reciprocated. The band was passionate and the visuals were absolutely mesmerizing.
As the chilly night set in, Arlo Parks performed some of her hit songs and some off of her latest album. Her fans in the crowd shouted lyrics back at her, and her hyper stage presence made for a terrific performance.
She finished off her set with a cheery wave goodbye, and thanked the audience for their kindness. The energy was radiant, and the night continued at an extreme high.
Hippo Campus took the stage next, and their alternative sound and raw vocals set forth an incredible performance. As the night grew longer, more and more voices from the audience sung along, and spirits only grew higher.
Their interesting use of autotune contrasting their pop-like tones created an intricate sound that drew in the audience and kept them attentive. The band had absolutely incredible energy, and the trumpet player stole the show on multiple occasions.
As their set came to a close, the tension and adrenaline filled the crowd as everyone waited for Dominic Fike to take the stage. And when he did, he did not disappoint.
His stage presence was unmatched. His visuals paired with his raw sound and incredible vocals captivated the audience and the excitement filled the crowd as the headliner finally took the stage.
He played songs from all over his discography, hitting different sounds ranging from rap, pop, and alternative. He even played his biggest hit to date, "3 Nights", off of his debut EP, Don’t Forget About Me: Demos.
The audience sang along to every song that was played, and the energy in the crowd was radiant. Dominic Fike and his band were all perfectly in sync with one another, bouncing off of eachothers sound and passion, and it created the most intensely invigorating environment a concert-goer could ever ask for.
As the night came to a close, Dominic Fike continued with his intermissions between songs where he talked about whatever was on his mind, and it was very clear that if there’s one thing to know about a Dominic Fike performance, it’s that he is going to have so much fun on stage.
Dominic Fike finished his set with the song "Why", and wished the crowd a goodnight (with a cut-off mic). As the audience fleeted to their ubers and their cars, the vibes were still at a peak. M3F 2024 was was one for the books, and we can’t wait to see what Phoenix has in store for us next.
