Formerly known as the McDowell Mountain Music Festival, the M3F event brings fans of multiple genres together to raise money for Arizona charities.
This year's two-day festival opens 1 p.m. Friday, March 1, and noon Saturday, March 2.
The festival has been running for two decades and has an interesting origin story, as it was created by the Largay family, who founded Valley-based Wespac Construction.
“It’s kind of the same concept where you bring in the circus. You know, circus goes in, circus goes out, type of thing. It’s kind of the same logistical concepts and everything as construction,” according to festival coordinator Rachel Blanchard, who says the event has evolved since its inception.
Hear Rachel Blanchard speak with KJZZ host Tom Maxedon
“We started out 20 years ago kind of like jam band, rock and then, just kind of how music has changed and developed so much, we’re now more electronic. But still with rock and indie music as well,” she said.
The two-day line up at Steele Indian School park features multiple stages and groups such as Valley, whose 2021 catchy tune “Like 1999” offers “nostalgia for happier times,” according to a review by Sam Thomas with the Daily Free Press at Boston University.
