29 Feb 23rd–March 1st, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | cONTeNTs | feeDBacK | OPiNiON | NeWs | feaTuRe | NighT+Day | culTuRe | film | cafe | music | Play-by-Play Your guide to the 2023 baseball-and-music Innings Festival. BY BENJAMIN LEATHERMAN T his year’s Innings Festival is what you’d call a grand slam. The baseball-themed event, which coincides with the beginning of spring training in the Valley, boasts a lineup of rock ’n’ roll all-stars, including such enormous names as Green Day, Eddie Vedder, The Offspring, Marcus Mumford, The Pretty Reckless, and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. Add in appearances by numerous Major League Baseball veterans (including Arizona Diamondbacks legends Matt Williams and Randy Johnson), various baseball-inspired activities, and a curated selection of food, and you’ve got the makings of one of the Valley’s most memo- rable music festivals. What else is on deck for this year’s Innings Festival, which takes place on Saturday, February 25, and Sunday, February 26, at Tempe Beach Park? Here’s our guide to the event with plenty of info and a few pro tips to know when attending. When and Where Is Innings Festival 2023? The two-day event runs on Saturday, February 25, and Sunday, February 26, at Tempe Beach Park, 80 West Rio Salado Parkway. What Are the Hours? Gates open at 12:30 p.m. and the music goes until 11 p.m. each day. How Much Are Tickets? Single-day general admission is $112 per person and is only available for Sunday, as Saturday single-day tickets are currently sold out (though a waiting list is available and you can probably find them on the secondary market). Two-day GA tickets are $209 per person. What Are the VIP Packages Like? Loaded with perks, as you’d expect. “General admission plus” is $215 each day, $309 for the weekend and includes entry and access to a full-service bar, a private lounge, air-conditioned restrooms, and a dedicated concierge. Basic VIP admission is $399 daily, $695 for the entire festival, and features all of the previous amenities, as well as access to viewing platforms or areas at each stage, complimentary beer, and more. Big spenders can spring for the “Platinum Experience,” which includes everything already mentioned, as well as premium viewing areas (including one located on the Home Field stage), unlim- ited access to the platinum lounge, and a complimentary full-service bar. You can also enjoy complimentary food, free boat rides on Tempe Town Lake, and transportation between stages. The price is $825 each day or $1,405 for the weekend. Are There Age Limits? Nope. Innings Festival is open to all ages, and children 7 and younger will be able to get in free with a paid adult admission. What’s the Best Way to Get to the Festival? Your best option is Valley Metro light rail. It’s cheap ($2 per ride or $4 for an unlimited pass), close to the park (the Third Street/Mill Avenue station is blocks away), and hassle-free. Various park-and- ride lots are also available along the light rail route. Speaking of which … Where Can I Park? As we mentioned, leaving your vehicle at a Valley Metro park-and-ride lot and taking a train to downtown Tempe is the easiest choice. Other options include using a parking structure or a surface lot available nearby. The Hayden Ferry Lakeside Garage is $3 per hour or $20 for the entire day. There are also surface lots on Ash Avenue and Fifth Street that are $1.50 to $2 per hour or $10 to $12 per day. If you’re riding your bike, a corral will be available near the main entrance at the intersection of Rio Salado Parkway and Mill Avenue Where Is the Festival Entrance Located? The main entrance gate is situated on the northwest corner of Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway. Where Can I Purchase Tickets or Pick Up Wristbands? An on-site box office will be situated by the festival entrance. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 24; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 25; and 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 26. A valid photo ID is required for any transactions. What’s the Schedule? The music will start 30 to 60 minutes after gates open each day with perfor- mances alternating between stages. Here’s the full rundown of when each band or artist is playing at the festival. Saturday, February 25 Gates open at 12:30 p.m. Home Plate Stage 1 to 1:45 p.m. — Annie Dirusso 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. — The Glorious Sons 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. — The Offspring 6:25 to 7:40 p.m. — Weezer 9:05 to 11 p.m. — Green Day Right Field Stage 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. — Heartless Bastards 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. — Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness 5:20 to 6:20 p.m. — The Pretty Reckless 7:45 to 9 p.m. — The Black Crowes Left Field Stage 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. — All-Star Jam hosted by Jake Peavy 3:15 to 4 p.m. — Off the Mound with Ryan Dempster 5:20 to 6:05 p.m. — Off the Mound with Ryan Dempster Sunday, February 26 Gates open at 12:30 p.m. Home Plate Stage 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. — Hazel English 3 to 4 p.m. — Magic City Hippies 5:10 to 6:10 p.m. — Mt. Joy 7:20 to 8:20 p.m. — Marcus Mumford 9:30 to 11 p.m. — Eddie Vedder Right Field Stage 1 to 1:30 p.m. — TBA 2:15 to 3 p.m. — Paris Jackson 4 to 5:10 p.m. — Umphrey’s McGee 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. — The Head and The Heart 8:25 to 9:25 p.m. — The Revivalists Left Field Stage 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. — The Bronson Arroyo Band 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. — Off the Mound with Ryan Dempster ▼ Music Innings Festival is returning to Tempe Beach Park. Green Day will headline the first day of Innings Festival. Pamela Littky Kelsee Becker >> p 30
