Under bright Arizona skies and perfectly cool desert weather, Innings Festival once again proved why it stands out on the festival circuit. Set against a baseball inspired backdrop, complete with batting cages and playful nods to America’s favorite pastime, the weekend seamlessly blended sports culture with an unbeatable music lineup. Beyond the stages, fans had no shortage of options when it came to food and drinks, from classic ballpark staples to thoughtfully curated gluten free and vegan offerings. With ideal weather, great music, and something for everyone, Innings delivered a festival experience that felt both relaxed and electric. If the atmosphere set the scene, the performances sealed the deal. Let’s get into some of our highlights over the weekend
FRIDAY
Grouplove kicked off their Friday set with “Itchin’ on a Photograph,” and honestly, it felt like the exact right way to start. The energy was instant the kind that makes you want to move even if you were just standing there a second ago. Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi brought their usual chaotic, joyful stage presence, jumping around like they were just as excited to be playing as the crowd was to be watching. The set leaned into that signature Grouplove feeling where everything is a little loud, a little messy in the best way, and completely fun. By the end of the performance, it felt less like watching a band and more like being caught in a really happy, loud, desert-sun afternoon dance party.
Peach Pit’s Friday afternoon set leaned into that perfect chill, feel good indie vibe that settled over the crowd almost immediately. People were singing along to the softer, dreamy tracks and swaying like they were just hanging out in the desert sun with friends. Before playing one of the songs, the lead singer told a little story, saying, “My friend once asked me to write a song for her. I sat down and did. We aren’t friends anymore, but here’s the song.” The crowd laughed, and it felt very on brand for Peach Pit’s slightly bittersweet, dry humored energy. The whole set stayed relaxed and warm not flashy or chaotic, just a happy, sun soaked moment.
Mumford & Sons closed out Friday night with the kind of crowd energy that you could feel before they even started playing. The excitement was loud like everyone had been waiting all day for that exact moment. When they hit the stage, the audience got even louder, singing, cheering, and lifting their voices along with the band’s big, anthemic sound. It was very much a headliner set built for wide open desert air, with songs that feel huge when they’re played live and crowds that are just as big and enthusiastic in response. By the end of the night, it felt like everyone in the field was part of one massive singalong under the Arizona sky.
SATURDAY
Catie Turner brought really fun, bright energy to the Saturday afternoon set that hit right around noon, with the desert sun already feeling warm overhead. Her performance was playful and excited, matching the kind of personality that has always made her stand out. She bounced through her songs with a light, joyful presence, like she was genuinely happy just to be there and sharing music with the crowd. The audience seemed to pick up on that energy too, watching and smiling along as her upbeat enthusiasm filled the midday festival air.
Cage the Elephant absolutely lived up to their reputation for bringing chaotic, high octane energy to the stage, performing right around that classic sunset slot that just feels made for them. The set was pure momentum from start to finish with pyro lighting up the stage, lead singer Matt Shultz bouncing and sprinting across every corner he could find, and the guitarist eventually jumping straight into the crowd like it was the most normal thing in the world. The audience was just as locked in, singing along loudly and feeding off the wild, electric energy coming from the stage. It honestly felt impossible not to move or shout along; the whole field was caught up in the excitement, including me, completely swept into the chaos and joy of the performance.
Twenty One Pilots closed out Saturday with the kind of fan energy that was visible all day long, especially with waves of people in their signature colors scattered across the festival grounds. When the set started, it was immediately clear how passionate the crowd was. Screaming, singing, and moving like they had been waiting for this moment all weekend. The show itself was honestly wild in the best way. There were fireworks lighting up the night, and at one point frontman Tyler Joseph climbed up into the rafters while continuing to perform, which only made the crowd get louder. It felt chaotic, exciting, and completely controlled at the same time, like the band and the fans were all part of the same high energy moment that carried through the entire field.
SUNDAY
Sublime brought a laid back, nostalgic energy to Sunday that matched the festival’s more relaxed closing day vibe. It felt like half the crowd was wearing Sublime shirts, which made the field look like one big throwback tribute as people settled in to enjoy the set. The energy was good. Easygoing but still lively, with people singing along and moving to the familiar songs without the intensity of the previous night’s chaos. It was the kind of set that felt comfortable and celebratory, like ending the weekend on something warm and familiar.
Public Enemy kept the Sunday momentum going right after sunset, bringing an exciting burst of energy as the day shifted into night. The crowd was ready for it. The performance felt celebratory and loud in that classic Public Enemy way, with music that carried both history and hype. The set had a really strong, confident presence, with people watching, cheering, and moving along as the group worked through their performance. It was one of those moments that felt both nostalgic and alive at the same time, like the festival was finishing the weekend on a powerful, energetic note.
Blink-182 closed out Innings Festival with the kind of cross generational crowd energy that only a band with their history can pull off. You could see it in the audience kids, longtime fans, and people who have been listening to them since the beginning all standing side by side, ready to sing along. The band leaned into their signature humor, cracking jokes between songs and keeping the mood light and fun while still delivering the big, nostalgic rock energy people came for. The whole set just felt exciting in that easy, celebratory way where everyone knew the songs and wasn’t afraid to shout them at the top of their lungs. It was a perfect way to close out the festival, leaving the crowd energized, happy, and riding that post-festival high.
Over the course of the weekend, Innings Festival delivered exactly what it’s known for a mix of fun, nostalgia, and high energy performances set against the bright Arizona desert sky. From indie singalongs to chaotic rock energy and nostalgic headlining moments, the festival felt relaxed but alive, like a celebration of music that never took itself too seriously. Between the baseball-themed activities, good food options, and crowds that were just genuinely excited to be there, Innings created a space where people could move between stages, sing along, and just enjoy the weekend. As the last notes of Blink-182 faded into the night, the festival closed out feeling warm, joyful, and already a little nostalgic for what had been a really good few days.
Relive the energy, the music, and the moments that made Innings Festival special by scrolling through the photos from the weekend below. See you next year, Arizona!
