It's hard to decide what's most important and charming about The Trunk Space. It could be that it's been a part of the local landscape for so many years, and as such has helped define the arts scene in downtown Phoenix. Or, that it's a haven for truly weird and progressive music both from our own city and from touring artists seeking a place to show off. It may also be that it's housed in Grace Lutheran Church, which adds a certain endearing charm and significance to the already weird space. But one of the biggest reasons it's so important to this city, and to the very fabric of local arts and culture, is the people. Trunk Space is run entirely by a board of dedicated volunteers, and they work together with meager budgets to book the best events and lineups possible. In that way, you can meet and engage one-on-one with the people who are working tirelessly to both entertain the masses while uplifting our city as a haven for deeply important music and performance art. There's lots of charm and heart across the foundation of The Trunk Space, but it's the people who remind us of why this venue will always matter.

The Rhythm Room has been the first and last word in blues music in Phoenix for much of its 32-year history. Open since 1991, it's become a local institution and Valley treasure to aficionados of the genre. A nonstop parade of blues and R&B greats have graced the joint over the decades, from world-renowned artists like the late Bo Diddley and R.L. Burnside to local legends like Hans Olson and Bill Tarsha. Admittedly, the setup hasn't changed much at the no-frills venue, as longtime owner Bob Corritore, a veteran harmonica player and host of KJZZ's "Those Lowdown Blues," has kept things straightforward with a stage, seating area, bar, dance floor and not much else. The focus has always been on the music and the people playing it, Corritore tells Phoenix New Times. As singer-songwriter Whitey Morgan, who performed at The Rhythm Room in 2015, once sang, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." We certainly wouldn't and neither would any of The Rhythm Room's regulars.

The DIY dive bar concept has been done to death. Still, Yucca Tap Room has flourished for perpetuating that model with ample heart and a little twist. On the surface, it's an average-sized bar run by great people slinging a bevy of beers and cocktails. But there's something about the spacing of the bar in relation to the stage that readily transforms most concerts into sweat-soaked extravaganzas from the tiniest basement imaginable. (Which means when you're done rocking out atop your friends and neighbors, enjoy a little leg room at the rest of the bar.) By fostering that specific mood or aesthetic, the venue's become a haven for punk fans. Nearly every local band and regional act have made their way to Yucca, and that deep reputation and sense of history is infused into the very walls. It's why you know whatever the day and whichever band is headlining, it's going to be some act with heart-on-their sleeve authenticity and angst galore. So come for the experience of a proper punk show and then stay for the powerful sense of community afterward (and maybe a few drinks).

Despite being the fifth-largest city in the U.S., Phoenix has never really stopped being cowboy country. Country music is wildly popular here, and there are plenty of joints where you can stop in and hear a twang or two. But mostly, we find ourselves making the trek to East Mesa for a night at Roosters Country. Roosters is where you can go to hear both kinds of music — country and Western — made by local musicians and touring artists. There's a big dance floor for swinging your partner around, and in between sets you can grab a drink at the bar or catch a game of pool. The crowd is down-to-earth and so friendly that at Roosters Country, we always feel right at home.

It's hard to imagine the Valley's jazz scene before The Nash arrived on Roosevelt Row in 2012 and bopped its way into the hearts and souls of local aficionados of the genre. Since then, the namesake of legendary Phoenix-born drummer Lewis Nash has become the quintessential jazz spot in town and has filled a variety of roles over the past 11 years. It's been a headquarters for local nonprofit Jazz in Arizona, an incubator for student musicians and a speakeasy-style venue showcasing the area's best jazz artists across a variety of traditional, contemporary and experimental styles. We're not the only ones singing the praises of The Nash. DownBeat magazine regularly cites it as one of the "great jazz venues in the world" while iconic trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis swears by the place. Other giants of the genre who have also gigged here include pianist Kenny Barron and vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. Put simply, Phoenix's jazz landscape is all the more vibrant because of The Nash.

Where's the Valley's best haven for heshers? Spoiler alert: It's not found in live music hotspots like Tempe or downtown Phoenix, nor is it located anywhere east of Central Avenue, period. Instead, follow the sound of heavy-duty riffs, sweet licks and guttural wailings over to the main room of The 44 Sports Grill & Nightlife in Glendale, a ground zero for metal maniacs in recent years. Armed with an enormous stage, a top-of-the-line sound system and a dance floor large enough for headbanging or moshing, it offers long-haired metal fanatics an ideal space to rock out. Bands from across the subgenres of the metal multiverse have invaded The 44, ranging from such nationally known groups as Tantric and Green Jellÿ to tributes like Iron Ozzy or the Maynard James Keenan-centric A Perfect Tool. The venue also has supported the local scene by showcasing the next generation of musicians from the School of Rock and hosting a benefit show by Hollywood Gods N' Monsters for a dearly departed metalhead. Those are both causes that would make even the blackest of hearts grow three sizes.

Karaoke crowds are among the most supportive people on earth. Whatever your song choice, whatever your musical talent, if you get up there and sing "Don't Stop Believing" with all your heart, you'll get cheers, applause and possibly a bunch of people singing along with you. At least, that's the vibe whenever we go to The Grapevine, an Old Town Scottsdale hotspot, for karaoke. The two-story space is always busy on the weekends, but the most crowded part of the bar is the karaoke room, where patrons pack in to sing and be serenaded in turn. The karaoke hosts are good about keeping the action moving, and the songbook is extensive — you're sure to find something you want to sing. Just remember to cheer for your fellow crooners when it's your turn to listen.

AJJ's eighth full-length album, "Disposable Everything," is very much a record of our times. The newly expanded folk-punk heroes applied their trademark wit and intensity to chronicle a not-so-post-COVID society, expertly capturing the layers of psychic pain we've collectively grappled with since early 2020. Sprinkled across that dissection of our sociopolitical quagmire is even more cultural criticism that's been essential to the band's 20-ish-year career. It's a record about grief and longing and how we've twisted and tortured ourselves collectively into a state of pure madness. Yet at the same time, the band cling to memories of family, and the simple magic of merely playing music together, and that imbues the record with a whole new sheen of, perhaps not optimism, but something close enough. The end result is a multifaceted achievement for AJJ — a collection that sings of deep pain with a slight tinge of hope that maybe we can make it out the other side together. The record doesn't offer guidance or insight into achieving that fate, but you'll find yourself a mighty companion for the weird days ahead.

Why do we keep crowning Raheem Jarbo, better known as Mega Ran, as the best the Valley's hip-hop community has to offer? It ain't from any lack of competition, as Phoenix's scene is rife with top-shelf talents. Instead, Jarbo's sheer mastery of his craft, nonstop hustle and success in both hip-hop and geek circles make him an easy choice. On the mic, the teacher-turned-rapper is absolute fire, weaving deft rhymes, clever lyrics and effortless flows into collaborations with iconic artists like Del the Funky Homosapien or tracks about wrestling, video games and other nerdy subjects. Outside the studio, Jarbo's having one of his biggest years ever and making big moves, including launching the Dream Master Mixtape music festival in Yuma and getting his jams into movies ("Clerks III") and popular games ("River City Girls 2"). He's also earned rave reviews for his latest release, "Buddy's Magic Toy Box," a children's album inspired by his recently adopted son. With many other artists, such a project might seem saccharine, but Jarbo, like anything else he touches, turns it to gold.

It's hard to believe that Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra have only been around since 2010. In those 13 years, PAO have truly become an integral part of the local arts scene. Part of that is that the band, founded by musician-activist David Marquez, have always done things exclusively their own way, like waiting six years to release a proper debut album. That "rebellious" streak carries into the music itself, as they've explored the fringes of this robust, multifaceted sound while gigging across the Valley and beyond. Blending everything from funk to folk, that sound remains perfect block-party music even as their political insights and activism infuse their various projects with greater depth and intent. (Their latest album, February 2023's "The Times," expertly encapsulates our weird era with ample warmth and purpose.) Their relationship with the city is one that's ebbed and flowed accordingly, keeping pace with new trends and ideas even as they blaze a trail ever forward through the power of earnest art. PAO are an avatar for this city, and we're glad to have them playing on and on.