Highlights from M3F 2024 | Unforgettable Moments and Electric Vibes
By: Anna Montoya-Gaxiola
Photos By: Donovan Johnson
On March 1-2, M3F captivated the Valley with an unforgettable experience of music and art. In the days approaching, attendees came from all over the nation to take on this indie, pop and electronic dance music (EDM) based festival. The 2024 lineup included artists such as Dominic Fike, Arlo Parks, Dayglow, Hippo Campus and more. Along with their musical performances, M3F went above and beyond in creating other engaging activities for its attendees.
The festival took place at Steele Indian School Park located in central Phoenix. The new location created an easy commute for attendees using the Valley Metro or parking at the nearby garage on North Central Avenue.
M3F’s “community-based” branding isn’t just a phrase. Upon entering the festival you could feel the community around you between attendees, volunteers and vendors. Between both food and clothing vendors, M3F brought out over 30 vendors from across the Valley.
The festival included activities of all desires. Some opportunities included creating your own custom jacket with a personalized selection of M3F patches. For VIP attendees, massages were available upon entrance alongside Drip’d, providing IV’s.
Walking through the festival, individuals of all ages were noticeably enjoying their time. Toddlers ran through the open grass field while others danced the day away near one of the three stages. Each stage defined the artist performing. Dayglow, SG Lewis, and Gorgon City took on the Daydream stage — taking fans to another universe through their sounds. Across the field, Lane 8, it’s murph and more presented at the Vista stage, captivating viewers with their infectious melodies, creating an atmosphere filled with warmth and nostalgia.
The sounds of the various artists were complimented by the perfect weather. During the day, the heat wasn’t overbearing. At night, there was a cool breeze to keep attendees comfortable within the crowds. As the night went on, the performances presented by M3F were perfectly coordinated to keep the good vibes going.
The UNIA team’s favorite performances included Coco & Breezy. The performance was extremely engaging, as house EDM sounds attracted attendees from all the stages within minutes. Shortly after beginning their set, the Cosmic stage was filled with Boiler Room-like vibrations.
Their rhythmic flow included presentations of “Float Coco & Breezy Remix,” “Just Say,” “Off My Mind” and many more in their hour-long performance. Shortly after their visit to the
Valley, they shared their appreciation for the love for attendees
“Arizona, y’all will forever have our hearts,” Coco and Breezy shared on Instagram.
Next up, Arlo Parks created a mellow atmosphere on the Vista stage. Her sunset colored visuals and angelic voice brought a moment of tranquility. Her set included performances of “Eugene” and “Caroline.” She was accompanied by bass player Sam Harding and guitarist Dani Diodato.
As the night wrapped up, the highly awaited performances of M3F created a greater anticipation. Hippo Campus and Dayglow did not disappoint. Both performances were accompanied by light up balloons and tiny beach balls that were tossed through the crowd. Fans sang along to all of the best hits including Dayglow’s “Hot Rod” and “Can I Call You Tonight?” and Hippo Campus’ “Suicide Saturday” and “Way It Goes.”
Dominic Fike ended day one of M3F with the tracks “Mona Lisa,” “Frisky,” “Why,” “Politics & Violence,” and many more. His time on the Vista stage included various visuals from LIFE magazine, including “The Abominable Dr. Phibes” in the background.
For those who missed Elderbrook at the festival, M3F’s official afterparty at The Ice House was headlined by the Dance Electronic singer, DJ, and producer. His set included a personal remix of “Innerbloom” and various of his hit tracks.
M3F truly sets the bar high for a successful and smooth running festival. All artists made it almost exactly on point with their expected set times. Although M3F is nearly two decades old, every year the ambiance and comfortability feels fresh and new. It comes to no surprise that attendees travel from across the country to be present at the two-day music festival.
For an opportunity to join next year, follow M3F on Instagram via m3ffest and stay tuned for more updates.
The fun never ends in Arizona!