Tempe Music Festival attendees by the main stage during the event’s 2008 edition.
Phoenix’s festival scene owes something of a debt to the Tempe Music Festival. Long before the local concert calendars were dominated by blockbuster music extravaganzas nearly every weekend, TMF thrived.
The annual two-day event drew thousands to Tempe Beach Park each year with lineups starring big names like John Mayer, Blues Traveler and a pre-breakthrough 30 Seconds to Mars.
Launched in 2003 by Scottsdale-based event management company Entertainment Solutions, Tempe Music Festival became a staple. While it mixed genres, rock and pop were heavily featured. In those days, large-scale music festivals were largely the domain of Valley radio stations like KUPD. (Going back even further, KUKQ had its annual Q-Fests in the late ’80s into the ’90s.)
Former KDKB deejay Pete Cummings, center, with former KSLX deejay Evan Oh, center-right, and former Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano, far right, kicking off the first Tempe Music festival in 2003.
Ken Koizol, co-owner of Entertainment Solutions with his brother Kevin, says the company wanted to parlay its experience putting on Tempe’s annual New Year’s Eve block party into a music festival.
“It was such a success that we wanted to try something new,” Ken Koizol says.
The inaugural Tempe Music Festival was headlined by The B-52s and Theory of A Deadman. Providing support were a slew of local acts like cover band The Chadwicks, R&B group Cold Shott and the Hurricane Horns and the now-defunct Azz Izz.
Business was so good that the Koizol brothers brought it back for a second year in 2004. Sugar Ray headlined while punk legends Pennywise and Unwritten Law played the second stage.
“I’d say it was one of the first large festivals in Tempe Beach Park for sure,” Kevin Koizol says.
By 2008, when Fergie and My Chemical Romance topped the bill, Tempe Music Festival was attended by more than 10,000 people. The festival lasted until 2010 when the Koizols canceled the event due to booking issues.
Here’s a look back at some of the highlights of Tempe Music Festival during its seven-year run.
A skateboarder catches some air at the first-ever Tempe Music Festival in 2003.
Kate Pierson, far left, and Fred Schneider, far right, of The B-52s during the band’s set at Tempe Music Festival in 2003.
The crowd at Tempe Music Festival in 2004. Frosted tips were a big thing back then.
Scotty Morris of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy onstage at Tempe Music Festival in 2005.
The Tempe Music Festival stage during Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s set in 2005.
Attendees of Tempe Music Festival in 2005.
John Popper of Blues Traveler during the band’s performance at Tempe Music Festival 2005.
Former Valley band Zowie Bowie, a longtime fixture of Scottsdale’s club scene, performing at Tempe Music Festival 2005.
Pop-rock band Train onstage at Tempe Music Festival in 2006.
Gin Blossoms frontman Robin Wilson rocks the main stage at the 2007 Tempe Music Festival during the band’s performance.
Rock band Lifehouse performs at Tempe Music Festival in 2007.
Dave Welsh, left, and Isaac Slade of alternative rock band The Fray at the 2007 Tempe Music Festival.
Fergie is interviewed backstage at Tempe Music Festival in 2008. The Pop/R&B star co-headlined the event.
Bassist Tom Morello onstage at the 2009 Tempe Music Festival.
Valley music journalist Thomas Bond speaks with Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance backstage at the 2008 Tempe Music Festival. The interviews were streamed online and appeared on the event’s big screens.
Circle K, the festival’s main sponsor, recreated one of its store locations at Tempe Beach Park for TMF.
My Chemical Romance performs on the main stage at the 2008 Tempe Music Festival.
That moment when the rock ‘n’ roll hit just right at the 2009 Tempe Music Festival.
Red Bull hosted its Wakelab event at Tempe Town Lake during the 2009 Tempe Music Festival.
Sisely Treasure, frontwoman for Shiny Toy Guns, during the band’s set at the 2009 Tempe Music Festival.