
Neil Schwartz Photography

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In February, Innings Festival returned for its seventh edition from Tempe Beach Park. What followed over two days (Feb. 21 and 22) was a “weird, wild musical celebration” that continues to position Innings as a niche affair with a surprising level of reach and significance. This past weekend (Feb. 28 and March 1), the fun and frivolity went into overtime with Extra Innings Festival.
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.

A family poses at the “giant inflatable mitt” at Extra Innings Fest 2025.
Neil Schwartz Photography

Four fans pose during Extra Innings Fest 2025.
Neil Schwartz Photography

More crowd posing from Extra Innings Fest 2025.
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Genuinely sick eyewear featured at Extra Innings Fest 2025.
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Another fan poses with fragments from a smashed guitar.
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Even the vendors at Extra Innings Fest 2025 were having a good time.
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A fan beats the heat at Extra Innings Fest 2025.
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More posing action from Extra Innings Fest 2025.
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Bin hunting at Zia is a must for any festival.
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Cowboy hats were a must at Extra Innings Fest 2025.
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Cowboy boots are welcome at Extra Innings Festival.
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The AstroTurf wasn’t just good for the lungs but made posing for pics even easier.
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Seriously, got to love that AstroTurf.
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Giant, potato-based foods were huge at both Innings and Extra Innings fests.
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Not every shot at Extra Innings had to be cool or attractive.
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The tragic end of a game of Jenga.
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The lake makes a prime backdrop for selfies and portraits.
Neil Schwartz Photography

Homemade signs were big enough at Extra Innings Fest 2025.
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Even more homemade signs at Extra Innings Fest 2025.
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A Kings of Leon fan reps the band.
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Here’s hoping Sam Barber saw this proposal.
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Souvenirs are a must.
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Extra Innings was for fans both old and young.
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A fan takes a swing at the batting cages.
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A solid pitch from one fan at Extra Innings Fest 2025.
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Always make time for the all-important group shot.
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The lake remains a great backdrop.
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Fans pose at the fest’s baseball experience.
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A little father-daughter bonding at Extra Innings Fest 2025.
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A fan snaps a pick of the stage.
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Off The Mound with Ryan Dempster is a big attraction at both Innings and Extra Innings.
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A great shot of the Right Field stage at night.
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A fan poses with former MLB player Coco Crisp.
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Pit vipers and a moustache make for a great combo.
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Always make time for a rest at any festival.
Neil Schwartz Photography