Tempe has long been known for its music scene.
The “Tempe sound” has been a staple of Arizona’s music history, going back to when the Yucca Tap Room started booking bands in 1989; Roger Clyne and his first band, the Refreshments, started drawing crowds; and the Gin Blossoms made it big on the national scene.
Now, the city is carrying on that legacy.
In 2017, the Tempe Community Arts Department received a grant to use arts to connect the community, and it decided to put the money toward uplifting local musicians. The Tempe Playlist was born.
It’s a Spotify playlist and biennial program to showcase Tempe bands and help them get bookings.
The Show spoke with Maja Aurora, Tempe’s community arts manager, about it — including how she makes the playlist each year and who makes the cut.
