The Maine's biggest 8123 Fest yet: Here's everything you need to know to enjoy the music
Delayed a year by the pandemic, The Maine's third 8123 Fest will celebrate the Tempe rockers' 15th anniversary with five days of events in downtown Phoenix.
The main — or is it Maine? — event is a multi-band blowout at Margaret T. Hance Park.
The Maine will headline (obviously) with a set that bassist Garrett Nickelsen says will be a mix of greatest hits and songs they haven't messed with in a while.
They're joined by State Champs, 3OH!3, Tessa Violet, the reunited Summer Set, Derek Sanders (of Mayday Parade), Beach Weather and The Maine's John O'Callaghan doing a solo set as John the Ghost.
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The origins of 8123 Fest
The first 8123 Fest was held in 2017 to celebrate the Maine's 10th anniversary in Crescent Ballroom's parking lot with a pre-fest concert at the Rebel Lounge.
Two years later, they moved to a much bigger venue, Civic Space Park, with a pre-fest show at the Van Buren.
They've realized people flying into Phoenix for their festival would probably be interested in checking out as many side events as possible, so they've expanded.
About 70% of the tickets sold in 2019 were to people coming in from out-of-state.
"So everyone gets to experience what it was like for us growing up in Arizona," Nickelsen says.
"And they get to see the things we've talked about in songs. Also, it's a chance for people that live on the East Coast or somewhere cold to come hang out in 70 degree weather in January."
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Plus, it's someplace for the larger family of Maine fans to convene and celebrate their shared love of the music.
"There's something different about our fan base," Nickelsen says.
"So it's just like this big family vibe for the weekend. It's an opportunity for everyone to come together and do something that hopefully makes them happy."
Nickelsen lives downtown and one of the things he loves the most about the festival is seeing fans he recognizes from Chicago or Seattle as he's driving down the street.
"The streets of downtown become ours in this really wild way," he says. "That's the coolest thing."
Here's everything you need to know before you go.
8123 Fest lineup and schedule
The main event is 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22. at Margaret T. Hance Park, 1218 N. Second St., Phoenix.
Doors open at noon.
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There is a separate ADA entry line for attendees who need assistance or have accessibility needs. Festival staff will be available to help on-site.
Main stage lineup
1:30-2 p.m. John the Ghost
2:10-2:30 p.m. Derek Sanders
2:55-3:25 p.m. Beach Weather
3:55-4:25 p.m. Tessa Violet
4:55-5:30 p.m. 3OH!3
6-6:35 p.m. The Summer Set
7:05-7:45 p.m. State Champs
8:15-9:45 p.m. The Maine
Sonoran Roots local stage
1-1:25 p.m. Sundressed
1:50-2:15 p.m. The Color 8
2:40-3:05 p.m. Doll Skin
3:30-4 p.m. Weathers
4:25-4:55 p.m. Breakup Shoes
There are two after-parties at 10 p.m. Saturday.
The Van Buren at 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix, will host a Make American Emo Again Party 2 with DJ sets by artists playing 8123 Fest.
There's also a Harry Styles Night Afterparty at Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix, with A Claire Slattery.
8123 Fest PopUp Shop
An 8123 Fest PopUp Shop will hold its grand opening from 2 to 8 p.m Thursday, Jan. 20, at 435 S. Third Ave., Phoenix.
It's also open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and 1-6 p.m. on Sunday.
The shop will carry merchandise for 8123 Fest and the Maine, vinyl records, limited-edition products and more.
If you purchased a festival bundle, you can pick it up at the PopUp Shop at any point. This will make the process for the rest of the weekend much smoother.
8123 Fest kickoff party with Beach Weather
In addition to playing the festival itself on Saturday, Beach Weather will play a kickoff party at the Rebel Lounge on Thursday, Jan. 20, with Hollywood Slasher and Cece Oates.
Doors open at 6 p.m. The show is at 7.
The Rebel Lounge is at 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix.
Friday events at 8123
The 8123 Social Club, a curated cocktail and social lounge for the 8123 family, will be serving signature cocktails and a limited-edition cider from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Crescent Ballroom.
The Maine will play their latest album, "XOXO: From Love and Anxiety in Real Time," followed by a mini-set of rarities and B-sides, at Arizona Federal Theatre (400 W. Washington St., Phoenix) with special guest the Technicolors and Breakup Shoes.
Doors open at 5 p.m. The concert starts at 6:30. This is a general-admission concert with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Van Buren hosts a post-show party, Make American Emo Again Party 1, at 10 p.m. with DJ sets from artists playing 8123 Fest. The Van Buren is at 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix.
Sunday events at 8123 Fest
There's an 8123 Brunch in the works, with time and location to be determined.
There's also a Meet and Greet with the Maine, with time and location to be determined.
The Summer Set will headline Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix, with Concrete Castles. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The show is at 7:30.
8123 Impact Day
The Maine and 8123 Fest invite festival-goers to join them in a hands-on project that supports local nonprofit, Nourish PHX.
A message on the website reads "8123 Impact is a philanthropic initiative used to inspire the 8123 family to donate their passion, time and talents to make a positive difference locally and globally while bringing awareness and supporting social conscientiousness."
As Nickelsen explains, "We're always trying to figure out things to help the community and kind of give back. It's an opportunity for us to do more than just put on a show and do after-parties and stuff."
8123 Fest ticket information
General admission tickets for the festival are $55 plus service fees, available at 81-23.com.
A two-event bundle, which includes admission to the festival and the pre-fest concert with the Maine at Arizona Federal Theatre, is $95 plus service fees.
A three-event bundle, which also includes admission to the Friday after-party, is $120 plus service fees.
COVID-19 protocols at 8123 Fest
8123 Fest will provide free COVID-19 testing for all attendees at the festival itself and all related side events provided by Commerce Medical Group.
The tests will be provided for anyone that needs a test or would like to take a test for additional comfort.
A complete list of on-site test locations and hours is available at 81-23.com/covid.
The 8123 Staff and band members will be wearing masks at all indoor events surrounding 8123 Fest and suggest that all attendees do the same to stay safe.
In addition, all concert-goers must be vaccinated to attend the festival. If you cannot receive a vaccine due to health or religious reasons, you must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within the past 72 hours prior to entering the festival events.
If you don't feel good or have had a recent exposure to COVID-19, the Maine requests that you do not attend the festival or other surrounding events.
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Things you may bring to 8123 Fest
These items may be brought into the actual festival.
Clear bags of any size or standard-size fanny packs
Blankets and towels
Empty reusable water bottles
Non-professional cameras
Prescription and over-the-counter medications
Small snacks
Arizona Federal Theatre's bag policy is clear bags up to 12 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches or a small clutch bag up to 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
Places to stay for 8123 Fest
The festival has partnered with several hotels in the area with a link available through 81-23.com for discounted rates and other festival perks.
All hotels are either walking distance or accessible by a short ride on the Light Rail. When you choose an 8123 Fest hotel, your booking is guaranteed and you can avoid the lines by receiving your pre-ordered festival bundle directly at your hotel.
The hotels that have partnered with the festival are the FOUND:RE Hotel, Embassy Suites, Best Western and Hampton Inn.
How to get an 8123 tattoo
The festival has also partnered with Electrik Needle Tattoo Shop at 1028 Grand Ave., Phoenix, to offer an exclusive 8123 Fest flash tattoo special.
Any tattoo featured on the flash sheet will be $80 plus a gratuity to the artist.
Tattoo time slots are limited and you need an appointment in order to get one. There's a picture of 13 available tattoos at 81-23.com. Please reference the number of the piece you want to get and include that number in your booking.
Appointments are booked in groups of 15. Come on time for the start of your hour, and everyone with an appointment will be tattooed within that hour.
Each booking is for one person only, so if you plan to go with friends, please ensure everyone makes their own booking.
How to get an 8123 Sticky Cake
The Maine have also teamed up with Sonoran Roots and Ponderosa Dispensary to release a limited edition "Sticky Cake" cannabis product, available at Ponderosa Dispensary on the Northwest corner of W. Northern Avenue and N. 91st Ave. (9240 W. Northern Ave., Glendale).
Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 8123 Fest with the Maine: A guide to the downtown Phoenix music event
