For Phoenix-based EDM fans, there’s a lot upcoming, including a two-day bass and house music event (Bassrush/Night Trip) hosted by Insomniac Events in Scottsdale, the western-themed Goldrush Music Festival in September and the downtown-Phoenix-based Better Together festival. Now, a new announcement gives fans of the genre who live further south something to look forward to.
On Saturday, November 15, and Sunday, November 16, Dusk Music Festival returns to the Jácome Plaza in downtown Tucson. This will mark the festival’s 9th anniversary since its debut on October 22, 2016.
The lineup offers a taste of all EDM genres, with dance producer Deorro, bass artist Inzo, house music duo Loud Luxury and dubstep trio Levity listed at the top of the festival bill.
Dubstep artist ALLEYCVT and duo Pretty Sweet; house music artists Hayla, Drama and Jigitz, as well as trio Łaszewo; and techno/tech-house producers Ekonovah, Loofy, and WHIPPED CREAM will also be performing at this year’s festival. ACRAZE, known for his tech-house sound, will also make a special guest appearance at the festival.
But, as it has been since its inception, Dusk Music Festival offers musical selections beyond EDM. Rapper G-Eazy is set to headline the festival. At the same time, alternative-rock bands Vacations and Vundabar and pop artists Evangelia, Jessica Baio, and MaryJo are also slotted for this year’s event.
Additionally, the lineup brings some of Arizona’s top talent with ten local artists hitting the stage: Scottsdale-based psychedelic rock band Bummer Girl, Tucson pop-punk band Bush League, indie band Cherry!, rock bands Daytrails and Desert Music Project, and three Tucson-based DJs: Wulftron, SIV, and SOPHZ HAUS can all be seen at Dusk this year.
Many people commented their support and excitement for this year’s lineup, speculating possible collaborations (Levity b2b ALLEYCVT was one repeated hope), sharing who they hoped to see (ALLEYCVT, G-Eazy, Deorro, Inzo, and Levity received the most likes on their announcement posts), and tagging their friends for a chance to win tickets to this year’s fest on Dusk’s most recent Instagram post.
This is far from the first time Dusk has been able to bring household names to Tucson. Last year saw an equally stacked lineup, headlined by house producer Kaskade, EDM artist Steve Aoki, indie-pop artist Quinn XCII, and jazz/R&B artist Masego. Other artists who have performed at Dusk in past years include Aluna, Diplo, DJ Mustard, Fitz and the Tantrums, Sofi Tukker and Steve Aoki.
While attendees can enjoy a day filled with music across all genres, the Tucson-based music festival differs from the Phoenix-based one by highlighting Tucson’s local culture with three curated experiences on its grounds: Tucson FEASTS, ARTS, and PLAYS.
Tucson FEASTS refers to the food vendors on the festival grounds, consisting of Tucson restaurants and food trucks. Previous vendors include Culinary Dropout, Dante’s Fire, Fresco Pizzeria and Rollies Mexican Patio.
Tucson ARTS, a partnership with the University of Arizona’s School of Art, 3D & Extended Media program, commissions students, faculty members, and local artists to create music-inspired art installations for the festival, including sculptures, digital artwork and lighting exhibits.
Finally, the Tucson PLAYS experience on the plaza’s lawn includes games, such as corn hole, ping pong and ladder ball. Additionally, the festival has a tent filled with arcade games, a partnership with Cobra Arcade, which has Phoenix and Tucson locations.
Tickets are on sale for the all-ages music festival.
