Best of the Fests: Mondo music blowouts abound this weekend

Festival spirits will be resurrected and entertainment demons will be exorcised this weekend, as three huge music festivals take place across the state. From Top 40 hip-hop to local jam bands, there’s something for everyone in the ‘Zona -- especially for those willing to take a road trip.

By Niki D'Andrea

May 28, 2008

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

By Niki D’Andrea

Festival spirits will be resurrected and entertainment demons will be exorcised this weekend, as three huge music festivals take place across the state. From Top 40 hip-hop to local jam bands, there’s something for everyone in the ‘Zona -- especially for those willing to take a road trip.

Here are three of the biggest festivals going down in the Valentine State this weekend.

DUB Custom Auto Show and Concert Tour featuring Ludacris (Phoenix, AZ) Hip-hop superstar Ludacris returns to the Valley for a performance, along with his protege (and Phoenix’s own), Willy Northpole. Webbie and Shawty Lo will also perform, and some incredible custom cars will provide additional eye candy. Ice-T and his wife CoCo will make a special appearance, and there will also be a Major League Baseball Road Show, complete with batting cages, MLB video games, and MLB apparel.

Saturday, May 31, 3 to 9 p.m. Phoenix Convention Center $5-$50 www.dubshowtour.com

Phoenix MC Willy Northpole will share the stage with Ludacris on Saturday.

The Jerome Good Times Music Festival (Jerome, AZ) The hip-hop just keeps coming, as Tempe collective Drunken Immortals headlines this happy hippie-hop fest in the quaint, artsy mining town of Jerome. Josh Martinez, DJ Day, One Block Radius, and Major Lingo will also perform, along with a plethora of DJs, reggae bands, and live art by the likes of Dumperfoo and JJ Horner. Skateboard ramps will also be available.

Saturday, May 31, noon until “early morning” Sunday. Gold King Mine in Jerome $15-$20 www.myspace.com/jeromegoodtimesfest

Drunken Immortals will let the good times rool in Jerome this weekend.

Mogollon Music Fest (Happy Jack, AZ) If you can find Happy Jack (near Flagstaff), then you can find three days of incredible outdoor music and camping, too. This annual festival features too many bands to name, but some of the highlights include Just Add Water, Shawn Johnson and The Foundation, Mojo Farmers, Brewed to Perfection, Baraka, and Carey Slade. $35 advance tickets are available at Goat Head Saloon and The Loft.

Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 1 Past mile marker 309 on Highway 87 $40 for all three days and camping www.myspace.com/mogollonmusicfest

Shawn Johnson and The Foundation take to the woods for the Mogollon Music Fest.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Niki D'Andrea has covered subjects including drug culture, women's basketball, pirate radio stations, Scottsdale staycations, and fine wine. She has worked at both New Times and Phoenix Magazine, and is now a freelancer.

Contact: Niki D'Andrea