We sincerely hope you've got loads of disposable income stocked up, because -- like it or not -- the music festival season is upon us. Over the next three months or so, an exhaustive number of indoor and outdoor mega-concerts and big-ticket music events are scheduled to take place both in and around Arizona, as well as across the southwest, and will bring a slew of high-profile performers into our midst.
And one of the events that will kick off the hullabaloo is this weekend's Crush Music Festival on Saturday out at Rawhide in Chandler. Just like last year's enormous Mad Decent Block Party at the venue, the event will fill the western theme park with the high-energy sounds of electronic dance music and a throng of colorfully dressed rage fiends and dance-happy thrill-seekers.
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And if last year's Crush Music Festival, which was attended by hundreds of party monsters and EDM fans getting down to big-name DJs and producers, is any indication of the event's popularity, the 2015 version should be just as packed with sights, sounds, and superstars. This year's lineup is just as huge and includes such bigwigs as Swedish duo Dada Life, bass freak Bro Safari, electro-house whiz Kayzo, hip-hop remixer Party Favor, and progressive trance act Tritonal getting wild and going hard on an enormous outdoor stage at Rawhide.
If you're down to attend the festival, we've assembled a rundown of all the detail you need to know about the event, such as where to go, what to bring, and when your favorite artists will hit the stage.
Time/Place: Crush Arizona will go down from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, at Rawhide Western Town, 5700 West North Loop Road in Chandler. The music starts at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Price: General admission is available online for $58 per person and VIP access (which includes the chance to bypass the lines to get in, a commemorative lanyard, and space on an elevated viewing deck) is $88. If you want to go above and beyond, a number of perk-filled table and bottle packages are also available and range in price from $400 to $4,500. (Complete details can be found here.)
Getting There: Hop onto the eastbound Interstate 10 and take it to Exit 162 and head towards the Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino. Eventually, you'll want to turn onto Sundust Road and follow the various signs that will guide you to the parking lot.
Age Limits: The festival is open to anyone 18-and-over. If you're of legal drinking age, libations will be served.
Weather: It might be a little chilly come festival time, according to the current weather reports for Saturday. Temperatures will be around 65 degrees at 7 p.m. and will eventually get down into the mid-50s when things wrap up. Go for warmer clothing that's also colorful (since this is an EDM festival and all) or just make sure to rage hard enough to keep warm. Or you can plant yourself in the middle of the crowd and siphon some of their body heat.
Food and drink: A vendor or two will be serving food and drinks and a couple of bars will dispense both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
What to Bring: A state-issued ID card or drivers license is mandatory for entry, as is a scannable ticket (whether its printed out, on your digital device, or an actual ticket). Its also good to bring some cash (since it cuts down on the hassle of getting food and drinks) and and empty containers for water like Camelbaks.
Small bags are also permitted, but only if they don't exceed 12 inches by 12 inches, as are hats, removable bandannas, lighters, GoPros or similar devices, sealed packs of cigarettes, and either e-cigs and vape pens (provided both are empty upon entry).
And when it comes to some the usual dance festival accessories or gear, any of the following items are allowed: glowsticks, hula-hoops, plush backpacks, LED poi, and inflatables (which should be deflated when you enter). Handmade signs, banners, decorated pool noodles, and "festival totems" are also okay to bring, provided such things aren't larger than 10-feet tall, advertising for company or brand, and are made from lightweight materials.
What not to bring: Anything potentially dangerous or damaging won't be allowed into the event, such as weapons, drugs, laser pointers, chains, spiked jewelry, or fireworks. Ditto for outside food and drinks, tents, chairs, blankets, large bags, eye drops, and open packs of cigarettes, ChapStick, or tampons. You also won't be able to wear a dust mask or Native American headdress, or use LED gloves or a pacifier at the festival.
What to do: Pretty much the sort of things one can do at any dance events, including dancing itself (duh). You can also watch DJs, hang out with friends, trade kandi, go HAM, rage hard, clown, pump fists, wear costumes, and have fun.
Schedule and Set Times:
7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.: Kayzo 8:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.: Party Favor 9:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.: Slander
10:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.: Tritonal 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.: Bro Safari 12:30 a.m.-2:00 a.m.: Dada Life
What to Expect:
Find any show in Metro Phoenix via our extensive online concert calendar.
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