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Field Guide: Sights, sounds and eats at the 3rd annual Dusk Music Festival

Now in its third year, Tucson’s Dusk Music Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever before. So far, it’s right—the fest has booked huge name headliners (Dillon Francis, Big Gigantic) and has moved to Armory Park in the downtown area. The festival, which is partially sponsored by Fox Restaurant Concepts’ Culinary Dropout, also boasts a wide variety of culinary offerings and locally-focused shops. Local artists round out the experience with several murals providing photo backdrops and colorful additions to the site.

Atlas is heading down south this weekend for our first time visiting the festival, but we did the research so you won’t miss a thing. Here is what you need to know if you’re Dusk Music Festival bound.

The Basics

  • When: November 10-11
  • Where: Armory Park in downtown Tucson (The park’s center is located at 220 S 5th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701)
  • Time: Doors at 1:30, sets start at 2 and end at 11:50 each day
  • Who: Dillon Francis, Phantogram, Big Gigantic, Cold War Kids, Jai Wolf, KYLE, and many more

Due to the new location, there is no official on site parking for Dusk this year. The festival’s website recommends public transportation (Sunlink Street Car and SunTran bus lines) and ride share/ taxis to get in and out of the area. Dusk has partnered with Lyft for discounted rides and a designated pick up/drop off area near the festival gates. University of Arizona campus parking is also free on weekends, and first-time parking offenders will only receive a warning ticket.

Dusk does not allow the usual prohibited items: firearms, outside food and drink, large bags, and miscellaneous substances. (We also feel obligated to pass along new information regarding cocaine, which has recently been found to be laced with fentanyl, causing accidental overdose and death.)  For the full list of prohibited items, please see this page. Empty reusable water containers, such as bottles and Camelbak-style bags, are allowed.

The Eats

Cleverly named Tucson Feasts is a curated selection of local eateries offering a variety of foods and beverages to festival goers.

When caffeine is the only thing that will keep you going

  • Scented Leaf Tea House & Lounge
  • Gypsy Cup

When you want to feel fancy

  • Dante’s Fire
  • Tucson Gastronomic Union
  • The Parish
  • Purple Tree Organic Acai

…Or if you just crave comfort food

  • Empire Pizza
  • Culinary Dropout
  • Honeymoon Ice Cream

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The Music

Finally, the best part of a festival. These are artists you don’t want to miss at Dusk Music Festival this year.

Sur Block

Dusk booked a local artist to kick off Saturday, with indie pop band Sur Block hailing from the Yaqui village of Old Pascua just west of Tucson. Often compared to Arcade Fire, Sur Block blends indie and pop sensibilities with grand instrumentals and gorgeous vocal melodies.

Elohim

Elohim can do it all. She’s a singer, songwriter, producer, musician, and a purveyor into the ever-popular alternative electronic fusion. She gets airplay on Sirius XM Alt Nation, but she also spent a tour opening for DJ sensation Alison Wonderland. Her one woman show promises to capture your attention and keep it, leaving you mesmerized by her ethereal vocals.

KYLE

Breakout rapper KYLE has skyrocketed to the top in the past year alone. Between appearances at Coachella (and in his own Netflix film!) and collaborations with chart toppers like Chance the Rapper, G-Eazy, Logic, and more, he’s on fire right now.

Cold War Kids

Born from the music blogs of the mid-2000s, Cold War Kids have been developing their polished anthems for over a decade now. Mega-hits like “First” put them on the mainstream radar, but they have still mostly catered to older alt rock fans who grew up listening to Nick Cave, U2, and Cold War Kids’ other influences.

Phantogram

Phantogram’s music has been evolving for the better part of a decade, starting with a well-received 2009 EP and diving straight into the L.A. music scene soon after. They haven’t stayed still since. Voices arrived in 2014, and they were releasing music with Big Boi on new project Big Grams a year later. Their moody electro-rock lends itself well to their compelling light show at night, making them a well-picked headliner.

Will you be at Dusk Music Festival this weekend, or is there critical information we missed? Let us know in the comments.

If you’re now intrigued, tickets are still available to the festival at this link. See you there.

 

Story by Taylor Gilliam. Photos courtesy of Dusk Music Festival.