30 Aug 29th-Sept 4th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | SAT 8/31 SUN 9/1 TUES 9/3 WED 9/4 FRI 8/30 LOST OX, HYPERVISER, BUSH LEAGUE DOORS: 6:30PM / SHOW: 7:00PM PARKER BARROW, IN COLOR BAND DOORS: 6:30PM / SHOW: 7:00PM BLUES BAND SHOWCASE WITH AARON MCCALL BAND, RON COOK & DRY HEAT, RICH BERTHOD BAND DOORS: 7:00PM / SHOW: 8:00PM CURTIS SALGADO DOORS: 7:00PM / SHOW: 8:00PM ROOTS ROCKIN’ SHOWCASE WITH RUZZ EVANS, SHAKE BOMBS, BO PEEP & THE BACKBEAT DOORS: 7:00PM / SHOW: 8:00PM Wish List 13 places around the Valley we think would make great concert venues. BY CHRIS COPLAN T he Valley has heaps of great concert spots. No matter if you’re seeing a local rock band at Rebel Lounge or some pop star at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, there’s something for every- body citywide. But what about a place that’s not a venue? What if you could snap your fingers and hold a show somewhere weird and different, that’s also some degree of novel and spellbinding? That’s what this list is for — cherry-picking those locales that have brought out our inner fantasy promoter. Be it the top of a condo, or deep in some hall of learning, these never-going-to- happen-but-wouldn’t-it-be-neat spots are places where just one show could prove life- altering for everyone in attendance. So, enjoy our selections, and maybe dream up some of your own that really tap into what makes this city so alive with possibilities. Burton Barr Central Library Heaps of concerts and festivals have taken place outside of Burton Barr proper, but just think of the sheer possibilities within its hallowed halls. Right in front of those giant elevators, echoing all the way up to the fifth floor. Or, positioned in front of the giant fifth-floor window facing the entirety of Hance Park. Sure, libraries are quiet places, but Burton Barr could just as easily be a haven for some deeply moving experience regardless of the chosen musical genre. Heck, even just standing in the stacks for in a silent disco could be a truly transcendent moment. Arizona State Route 51, North of Northern For anyone driving south on the 51, there’s a large hill or mound just north of Northern Avenue that would be the absolutely perfect spot for an impromptu concert. There’s absolutely an inherent level of danger, and it’d be just an all-around logistical nightmare to organize, but you’d get to experience music in the desert with a stag- gering view of downtown Phoenix. What better way to capture the essence of Phoenix than in such a place that’s very much this vital thoroughfare for our city. And even if it’s just a one-time miracle of planning, it’d be a show for the ages. Arizona Science Center Just as with Burton Barr, the Arizona Science Center’s entire campus is packed with a host of impromptu concert spots. The front is perhaps the most obvious choice, and it carries with it a sense of ambiance or elegance. Then, of course, there’s the Dorrance Planetarium, and how could you nix a place with its own built-in laser light show? Heck, even something out in front of the many exhibits or a random hallway would be the perfect blend of nostalgia and novelty. Also, you can write it off as another experiment in the name of science. Hotel Valley Ho There are lots of great pools in the Phoenix Metro area, and yet few are as cool and elegant as the one at the Hotel Valley Ho. It’s movie-level hip, and it always feels like stepping into midcentury Phoenix with just a pop or two of modern elegance and luxury. Any concert would have to take place poolside, but I’d sell an arm to see some floating setup to turn this pool into an old- school “Frankie & Annette” concert/movie shoot. And then when you’re properly sauced from the show, just stumble across the deck for a quiet night’s rest. Landmark Tower If you live/have lived in Uptown Phoenix at all, then Landmark Tower is sort of an architectural lingua franca. Its robust midcentury vibes almost define the specific energy and joy of the area, and seeing a concert atop its narrow roof would lend some real “Beatles on the roof of the Apple Corps building” vibes. Again, it’s all about both the danger factor as well as turning these landmarks into something new for the culture. Maybe some resident opens their doors for an intimate show — living in this building almost demands that level of cool. Tempe Town Lake Again, thanks to various local and national fests, Tempe Town Lake has been a place for great music over the years. But there’s far more real estate that demands even more shows. The obvious one is, yet again, a floating show for all to see. (If we’re not using our lakes for rock music, then what are we doing?) But there’s also some random spot on the shore, or making use of the prox- imity to the Phoenix Zoo and the ASU Art Museum — perfect for one-day festivals beyond just Innings. The point is, the lake’s a hub for a reason, and it’s got way more to offer music fans. Clockwise from top left: Looking northeast across Central Avenue toward Burton Barr Central Library. Poolside at the Hotel Valley Ho. A shot of Tempe Town Lake. Arizona Science Center. (Photos by Lynn Trimble, New Times Archive, Martin Ely/CC BY 2.0/Flickr, Arizona Science Center) ▼ Music
