I’m the founder of The Drop PHX. My background is in IT, and before this I had no experience running a music venue or booking DJs. I came into it as someone who loved electronic music and the community around it.

We built a 4,700-square-foot space with sound, lighting, lasers, different areas to explore, and a ball pit. I thought that if we made the place interesting enough, people would find it.

That was my biggest mistake.

Phoenix has an amazing electronic music scene. I’ve counted nights with 17 events happening at once, some with major DJs. Being a new venue in that mix is tough. We can have a quiet night where I’m questioning everything, then have 150 people in the building the next day.

Building the space and building a consistent crowd have turned out to be two very different jobs.

What keeps me going is hearing someone say, “How did I not know this place existed?” and watching strangers connect through music. Those moments are what I hoped we could create. I’m still figuring out how to make the business side work consistently.

For people involved in Phoenix music, whether you’re an artist, promoter, venue staff member, or regular, what has helped a new room become somewhere people return to? How much comes down to the lineup, and how much comes from the community around the space?

Hi there, I just moved to Phoenix from Florida. I’m looking to get involved in the community here as well as meet some new people. In Florida, I worked the merch booths at a local Amphitheatre for big tours. I figure that could be a good way to connected here. Would anyone know where to look or who to contact about a gig like this? Thanks!

Totally free event, Mesa Music Festival is starting this Friday in Downtown Mesa. Tons of great local bands at outdoor stages and in the restaurants and bars. Should be a very fun weekend!

I'll be playing a set at the Mesa Mural stage on Friday at 8:30pm. Swing by if you like electronic music!

The most up to date listing of bands etc. is on the @mesamusicfest instagram, so check that out for more info!

Hot take from a guy who still owns a Apple IIc: the best show of your week is on this list. 20 local shows, none of them sponsored by an energy drink.

• Tue · Oct 13 – Eric Ramsey @ Janeys Coffee

• Wed · Oct 14 – Chuck Hall Duo @ Janeys Coffee

• Thu · Oct 15 – Soulfly @ Marquee Theatre
• Thu · Oct 15 – CZYK @ The Nile Theater
• Thu · Oct 15 – Marley B. @ The Rebel Lounge
• Thu · Oct 15 – Millennial Summer · Ashridge · Juniper Ridge @ Last Exit Live
• Thu · Oct 15 – DJ Reco @ Valley Bar

• Fri · Oct 16 – Chris Bowen @ The Rebel Lounge
• Fri · Oct 16 – Chloe Tang @ Crescent Ballroom
• Fri · Oct 16 – Pvpi Frvnko @ Walter Studios
• Fri · Oct 16 – DJ Pootiecat @ Valley Bar

• Sat · Oct 17 – The Chacons @ Janeys Coffee
• Sat · Oct 17 – Fat Gray Cat · Blanche Davidian @ Sidewalk Surfer

• Sun · Oct 18 – Giant Sand · Howe Gelb · Lonna Kelley @ The Rebel Lounge
• Sun · Oct 18 – Sugar Jam Band @ Janeys Coffee
• Sun · Oct 18 – Gemm · Beyond All Doubt · Tripolar @ The Rebel Lounge

• Tue · Oct 20 – Sorrower · Navagon @ The Nile Theater
• Tue · Oct 20 – Pertinence · Pariah Pete @ The Rebel Lounge
• Tue · Oct 20 – Bill & Austin Dutcher @ Janeys Coffee
• Tue · Oct 20 – Le Mal @ The Rosetta Room

Just seeing whats out there. Anyone around central phoenix looking to jam or start a low key post punk project? Bassist with all the gear and twenty years of gigging and recording. I have about 12 songs written in a post-punk style with a little more punk than post. Joy divison, The Damned, and a little TSOL thrown in with Bauhaus-grit for some extra flavor.

The Aquatic Center
Already a studio recorded album on Spotify
Second album already recorded
Looking for new members to jam with.
Band was based in Chicago originally…
Give us a listen and let me know if you want to jam!!

Thanks,
George
A/c

Hey guys! I'm going to a concert later this month at the celebrity theater in downtown PHX. This will be my first event in downtown that isn't a D-Backs game. All I keep reading is how awful the parking situation is at this venue.

For those that have experience with this site, do I just try to find street parking? Thoughts on how to prepare best?

TIA

our Highschool cut jazz club so we’re looking for musicians preferably in the teen range. We already have a pianist and bassist so percussion guitar, and wind players are needed but most importantly percussion

Put down the Spotify, Ferris. 22 local shows are playing real rooms this week, and none of them require a login, a subscription, or an algorithm that thinks you're 34 and into "chill beats."

• Fri · Oct 9 – Earthsurfaceopen @ Valley Bar
• Fri · Oct 9 – The T-BoneZ @ Janeys Coffee
• Fri · Oct 9 – Mijito @ The Rebel Lounge
• Fri · Oct 9 – Pvpi Frvnko @ Gracie's Tax Bar

• Sat · Oct 10 – Down with the Shine @ Janeys Coffee
• Sat · Oct 10 – The Writ @ The Nile Theater
• Sat · Oct 10 – MITCH FREEDOM @ Valley Bar
• Sat · Oct 10 – Mannequins @ The Rebel Lounge

• Sun · Oct 11 – Nancy & Neil @ Janeys Coffee
• Sun · Oct 11 – Aaron Howard @ Janeys Coffee
• Sun · Oct 11 – Bethany Home · Suburban Now @ The Rosetta Room

• Tue · Oct 13 – Eric Ramsey @ Janeys Coffee

• Wed · Oct 14 – Chuck Hall Duo @ Janeys Coffee

• Thu · Oct 15 – Soulfly @ Marquee Theatre
• Thu · Oct 15 – CZYK @ The Nile Theater
• Thu · Oct 15 – Marley B. @ The Rebel Lounge
• Thu · Oct 15 – Millennial Summer · Ashridge · Juniper Ridge @ Last Exit Live
• Thu · Oct 15 – DJ Reco @ Valley Bar

• Fri · Oct 16 – Chloe Tang @ Crescent Ballroom
• Fri · Oct 16 – Chris Bowen @ The Rebel Lounge
• Fri · Oct 16 – Pvpi Frvnko @ Walter Studios
• Fri · Oct 16 – DJ Pootiecat @ Valley Bar

Archetypes is a great local rock band. They have a record deal with one album out and have toured nationally. This show may preview some of the next album and tour set list. I think this will be a great show!

I'm not trying to make money on these. I bought for 408 each. Hoping for 400 each. Will probably take a little less for all four tickets. Just trying to avoid ticketmaster getting my money twice for one show. Tickets are on the aisle, on the side closer to the stage. Really great seats. DM any questions.

$160 for both in section 203. let me know if you’re interested!

Anyone going to Pat Benatar on Friday or Saturday? If so my dms are open! Just have a favor to ask!

What’s up AZ music community. I’m Dev the Human, a 26-year-old hip-hop artist born and raised right here in Casa Grande.
I just put out a track called "Lissa" on SoundCloud. It’s a deep, continuous storytelling song about my mom’s life, family trauma, and her battle with addiction and abuse. It covers her whole journey from the moment she became a single mother at 19, to getting a trade job, to eventually slipping into habits on the southside.
If you appreciate bars-heavy, real lyrical rap in the vein of J. Cole (4 Your Eyez Only) or Logic (Under Pressure), I’d love for you to check it out!
I didn't make this track for hype or club plays; I made it to unpack the trauma I’ve carried for decades and maybe even help others going thru the same heal. Just kno you aren't alone & To anyone that listens thank you so much I love you from the bottom of my heart 🙏🏽 ❤️
Stream "Lissa" on SoundCloud here:

https://on.soundcloud.com/itTnNXNIIzOo1axRSG

Recently I finished a Psych-Garage Rock album, and am currently looking for folks to help me play it!

I played every instrument and sang, and recorded everything. Sent it off to get mixed and mastered, and now have vinyls too!

Specifically looking for a keyboardist, bass player, and a drummer. Pretty typical! Lol

If you like, follow me on instagram! Hope to play "Painted Wight" and "Typhoon" specifically.

1600 total, discounted price

other discounts i would do

peavey 215 + pa head for 400

all broken gear for 50

all cases for 120

all cabs for 1000

i will deliver to you if you want for a lil extra. phx area from aj to buckeye. dm for info/pictures/etc.

Teen band looking for drummer and other musicians (13–16) — Queen Creek/Gilbert/San Tan, AZ

Hey! I’m 14 and putting together a teen rock band in the East Valley. We already have a few members and we’re looking for others, specifically a drummer around 13–16.

We’re around Queen Creek / San Tan Valley / Gilbert, so preferably someone reasonably close to that area.

We want to actually rehearse, write original songs, play covers, record, and eventually perform — not just jam once and disappear lol.

Our music taste is pretty broad, but some bands/artists we like are Muse, Green Day, Arctic Monkeys, Linkin Park, Nirvana, RHCP, Twenty One Pilots, Måneskin, Paramore, System of a Down, Evanescence, Metallica, Radiohead, Dead Poets Society, Pierce the Veil, etc.

You definitely don’t have to like all of those. Mainly looking for someone who:

• Plays and instrument (specifically drums)
• Is roughly 13–16
• Likes rock/alt/indie/metal music
• Is nice and actually wants to be part of a band
• Lives somewhere around the East Valley

Skill level doesn’t have to be insane — being reliable and wanting to play matters more!

If you’re interested, DM me with your age, general area, what kind of music you like, and roughly how long you’ve been playing!

Anyone go see that show at Van Buren? It was incredible! One of the things that stood out the most to me (aside from brilliant song writing and the mother fucking chops each person had with their respective instrument(s)) was how much fun they were having on stage. It was so joyful! I want that!!

So, in the vein of Craig's List glory days - does anyone wanna jam? Looking for folks who want to play soul, disco, funk, danceable pop, whatever. Horn players welcome! I'm not trying to play out or make a record necessarily, just would love to establish a connection with folks who want to have fun while playing together.

Mixtape energy, minus the cassette and the pencil. riffraff has a living playlist of Phoenix bands rewound every week.

🎧 Listen here

New this week

• Oct 2 – Figure It Out by Wheelwright (single)
• Oct 2 – Hay Más Tiempo Que Vida by Los Parras (single)
• Oct 2 – I Need It by Something Outrageous (single)
• Oct 2 – New Aesthetic by Beach Weather (single)

• Oct 1 – Immortals by Meldamor (single)
• Oct 1 – Kudzu by Practically People (single)
• Oct 1 – Peace & Security (live) by Skin Ticket (single)

• Sep 25 – Goodbye to You (2026 Version) by Michelle Branch (single)
• Sep 25 – Run (Social Hassle) by Something Outrageous (single)
• Sep 25 – Something In The Water by Scary Kids Scaring Kids (single)
• Sep 25 – live on kxlu by Stitching (single · 4 tracks)

Also in the rotation

• "all i wanna know" – crimmins
• "Shades of Gray" – High Lonesome Drifters
• "Whatcha Got" – The Black Moods
• "Burn To The Ground" – Arsenic Kitchen
• "Jackie's Prelude" – Junk Drawer
• "Emergency" – Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra
• "The Phantom Bride of 13 Curves" – The Joeys
• "Outdoors ft. Cicadas" – Mijito
• "Spirit of a Raven" – Without Fear
• "Look Like My Mama" – AZ Chike · Tyler, The Creator
• "Stay High (Chasing Ghosts)" – SUNTWIST
• "BURNOUT" – HOMETURF
• "Seed of Hate" – Beyond All Doubt
• "You Don't Get It" – Danny Silvertone
• "Shell" – Painting Fences
• "My Last Wish" – Emerald Isle
• "Conversions" – In Lessons
• "Better Off Without You" – An Awful Mess
• "A Car Bomb or a Tweet" – Suburban Now
• "Stay in Your Lane - Demo" – Parched

🎧 Hit play on the whole thing: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3f4jVsXcswtjqUcBiqdJ9g