On paper, there's not too much diffence between Innings and Extra Innings. Yes, the former tends more toward indie and alt rock, while the latter is readily celebrates country and folk. However, dig a little deeper, and Extra Innings is more than just a scrappy new guy on the scene, or Innings' extended afterparty. No, Extra Innings very much has its own feel and presence, and you can look at the people and their favorite pastimes to see how this young fest is already flourishing.
Plenty of folks wore cowboy hats and boot, but that is once again merely surface-level details. It's in the easy, freewheeling tendencies of folks to sit back and enjoy a few beers for hours at a time. There also seemed to be an even greater mix of young and old, rock and country fans. And, of course, you couldn't ignore the sense you had just stumbled into a family cookout as opposed to a hot spring music fest. Even the shared activities — the baseball experience, visits to the Zia Records pop-up, posing for pics — felt a little more leisurely, as if everyone was there for one another over the thrill of a festival experience.
The distinction between Innings and Extra Innings ultimately doesn't matter to the people. (Who wouldn't want to day-drink and slam "tornado potatoes" over two separate weekends?) But that carefree feel and tone informs why Extra Innings isn't just another upstart festival, but a worthy entrant to Phoenix's solid music festival scene. All of the important things that define Innings — the sense of community, the generational blending, the downhome approach to fun — remain equally as important and vibrant with Extra Innings (if just tinged a little differently).
Here’s a glimpse at the people of the 2025 Extra Innings Festival in Tempe and what they experienced.
PS: Whoever listened to our idea about laying AstroTurf, thank you from the bottom of our sinus cavities.
The AstroTurf wasn't just good for the lungs but made posing for pics even easier.
Neil Schwartz Photography
Giant, potato-based foods were huge at both Innings and Extra Innings fests.
Neil Schwartz Photography
