Another successful M3F Fest is in the books, and the 2024 edition was one to remember: acts that drew thousands of fans, interactive experiences, art installations, and more — all happening at the festival’s new home in Steele Indian School Park in midtown Phoenix.
There was plenty of backlash when the fest announced its location change, but there’s no denying the positive impact of the event’s growth. Every dollar from ticket sales goes to the M3F Fund, which supports charities in arts, environment, community, and education. M3F donates more than $1 million every year, thanks to festival attendees.
With this charitable component in mind, it’s easier to forgive the shortcomings of the event, especially as the team navigates the growing pains. But M3F 2024 wasn’t all misses; there were plenty of hits that made the weekend memorable. Let’s dive in.
Hit: The Park Space
Steele Indian School Park is largely unused throughout the year, and it’s a shame because the winding pathways, water features, and openness make the park a great space for events. The foot traffic flowed smoothly, given the entrance for those arriving on foot or by bike and a separate area on the other side of the park for rideshare. And until the last few sets of each night, the festival didn’t feel crowded like it often did at Hance Park.
Miss: Park Accessibility
On the other hand, the experience of getting to the park was a nuisance. M3F tickets in the past came with a light rail pass for easy access to the festival grounds, but patrons this year had to pay their own way. There were also no suggestions for nearby parking. Finally, as Steele Park is in a less safe area than Hance Park, future editions of M3F should consider a wider radius for security personnel to cover.
Hit: The Cosmic Stage
The Cosmic Stage was M3F’s smallest stage, giving fans closer access to some of the more indie pop/rock acts who played over the weekend. Valley, Bennett Coast, and New Royals were just a few artists on the Cosmic lineup, and they provided a (sometimes) much-needed break from the thumping beats on the other two stages. Cosmic was also tucked away with the vendor village and the end of the food truck line, so it felt like a more intimate experience all the way around.
Hit: The Stage Setup
Face-to-face stages are so underrated. It was incredibly convenient to have the main stages face each other so you don’t miss the end of one set to get to another.
Miss: Strength of Lineup
Most years, M3F excels in curating a lineup that features everything from massive headliners to exciting up-and-coming acts, which is why the announcement of the 2024 artists was such a surprise. Dominic Fike was the only one who would sell out large clubs if he were to go on his own tour. There was also far less variety this year, and there was a stark difference in the crowd levels between 4pm and 6pm, instead of seeing a gradual swell in the number of attendees.
Hit: Aqua Spectra
Special shoutout to Aqua Spectra, the laser show on the lake. M3F used the park’s main water feature to its advantage: By day, it was the backdrop for the flowered M3F sign fans could use for pictures, and by night, it hosted a mesmerizing laser show. The festival also adorned a section of the grass with color-changing lights. Both added special touches that made the grounds just as exciting in the dark.
Miss: Limited Food Variety
Multi-day festivals aren’t for the weak, which means they require adequate fuel to help you feel your best. However, there were limited options for food that wasn’t fried or super sugary. That’s probably a larger issue among food trucks as a whole, but we’d like to see lighter and healthier options in the future.
Hit: The Vendor Village
The vendor village was the best M3F has had in a long time. At Hance Park, the vendor village over the years turned into a strange mix of artisans and sad collapsible tents with brands who just want your email address in exchange for a plastic keychain. But at Steele Park, the shopping area had its own space in a secluded corner and truly felt like a little village.
Hit: The Art Installations
Both new artwork and returning favorites were scattered around the park, providing easy meet-up spots and plenty of photo opportunities.
Hit/Miss: The Hideaway
The Hideaway was what M3F named its smallest stage, which was more of a DJ booth in a lakeside nook near the festival entrance. The thumping bass set the tone and gave fans that walk up song feeling as they entered the event, but its location made it forgettable once you were further inside.
For its first year in a new space, M3F pulled off the transition gracefully. The festival provided a mostly seamless experience, and its new home has plenty of potential to turn M3F into an immersive event on par with larger festivals like Innings. It’s a new chapter — perhaps the most exciting one yet.
Check out all the photos!
Story and photos by Taylor Knauf
