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Innings Festival Day 1 Recap

By Larry Philpot on March 6, 2025

Here’s a synopsis of each musical act that took place on Day 1 of the Innings Festival in Tempe, Arizona, on February 21, 2025. Without the benefit of a dedicated writer, doing double duty as the photographer, I’ll do the best I can to tell the story.

The sun blazed over Tempe Beach Park, casting golden hues across the crowd as baseball fans and music lovers alike gathered for a day of unforgettable performances. The air buzzed with anticipation, the scent of Southwest flavors wafting from food stalls, and the promise of rock, pop, and indie anthems echoing along the shores of Tempe Town Lake. Below, I’ll take you through each act in performance order, weaving a tale of their sets, a few songs they played, a brief bio, and any notable moments that lit up the day.

Boyish

The afternoon kicked off with Boyish, a duo whose dreamy indie-pop sound felt like a gentle breeze ushering in the festival. As the gates opened at 12:30 PM, early birds sprawled across blankets near the stage, sipping cold drinks while India Shore and Claire Altendahl took their places. Their set was a tender embrace, with songs like “Superstar” and “I Can’t Get Enough” washing over the crowd in waves of shimmering synths and heartfelt vocals. The pair, hailing from Brooklyn, formed Boyish in 2016, blending confessional lyrics with lo-fi vibes that have earned them a loyal underground following.

Notable Event: About halfway through their set, a gust of wind sent a flurry of dust swirling across the stage, prompting India to laugh and quip, “Looks like Arizona’s joining the band today!” The crowd cheered, unfazed, as the duo powered through with charm.

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Winona Fighter

Next up, Winona Fighter stormed the stage with a punk-rock energy that jolted the crowd awake. Frontwoman Coco Kinnon, with her wild hair and fiercer voice, led the charge as the Tempe sun climbed higher. Their setlist roared with tracks like “I’m Not Going Anywhere” and “Subaru,” each riff and scream igniting the mosh pit that erupted near the front. Formed in 2020 in Nashville, this quartet has quickly risen as a force in the punk scene, their raw sound a throwback to the genre’s rebellious roots with a modern twist.

Notable Event: During “Subaru,” Coco leapt off the stage into the crowd, surfing atop outstretched hands before security gently guided her back. The fans went wild, and a chant of “Winona! Winona!” echoed long after the song ended.

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Jack Kays

As the afternoon deepened, Jack Kays brought a raw, introspective vibe to the festival. With his guitar slung low and a voice that carried both grit and vulnerability, he captivated the crowd with songs like “Caffeine” and “Mourning After.” The Cincinnati-born artist, who started as a DIY bedroom pop creator, has evolved into a genre-blending storyteller since his 2020 debut, mixing folk, punk, and hip-hop into a sound uniquely his own. His set felt like a confession booth under the desert sky.

Notable Event: A hush fell over the audience during “Mourning After,” as Jack paused to dedicate the song to “anyone who’s ever lost someone.” A few tears glistened in the crowd, a poignant contrast to the day’s earlier chaos.

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Neon Trees

The tempo surged as Neon Trees exploded onto the stage, their new-wave swagger electrifying Tempe Beach Park. Tyler Glenn, with his signature charisma, danced and belted out hits like “Animal” and “Everybody Talks,” sending waves of nostalgia through the Millennials in attendance.

Hailing from Provo, Utah, since 2005, this alt-rock outfit has been a radio staple, their catchy hooks and polished production a perfect fit for a festival setting. The crowd sang along, word-for-word, turning the park into a giant karaoke party.

Notable Event: Mid-set, Tyler spotted a fan in a vintage Neon Trees T-shirt and shouted, “You’ve been with us since the beginning—come up here!” The lucky fan joined them for a verse of “Animal,” grinning ear-to-ear as the crowd roared approval.

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The All-American Rejects

As golden hour approached, The All-American Rejects took the stage, their pop-punk anthems stirring memories of teenage rebellion. Tyson Ritter’s voice soared over tracks like “Swing, Swing” and “Gives You Hell,” each note a time capsule to the early 2000s. Formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1999, the band’s blend of emo-tinged lyrics and infectious melodies has kept them a fan favorite for over two decades. The crowd bounced and swayed, a sea of raised hands against the backdrop of the Papago Mountains.

Notable Event: During “Dirty Little Secret,” a baseball sailed onto the stage—tossed by a fan, no doubt inspired by the festival’s theme. Tyson caught it mid-stride, signed it with a Sharpie from his pocket, and lobbed it back, earning a thunderous cheer.

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Slightly Stoopid

The vibe mellowed as Slightly Stoopid brought their SoCal reggae-rock fusion to the desert. Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald’s laid-back grooves filled the air with songs like “2 AM” and “Closer to the Sun,” the scent of ganja wafting through the crowd as the sun dipped low. Since forming in 1995 in Ocean Beach, California, this band has built a cult following with their eclectic mix of ska, punk, and dub, perfect for a twilight set that felt like a beach party in the desert.

Notable Event: A surprise guest—MLB legend Vince Coleman—ambled onstage during “Collie Man,” tossing out mini baseballs to the front row. The fusion of baseball and music felt seamless, and the crowd ate it up.

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The Black Keys

As night fell, The Black Keys turned up the heat with their gritty blues-rock swagger. Dan Auerbach’s soulful croon and Patrick Carney’s relentless drumming powered through “Lonely Boy” and “Gold on the Ceiling,” the stage awash in moody red lights. Born in Akron, Ohio, in 2001, this duo has honed a raw, garage-rock sound that’s won them Grammys and a global fanbase. Their set was a masterclass in tension and release, the desert air thick with electric energy.

Notable Event: A technical glitch stalled their opener, “Tighten Up,” for a minute as crew scrambled to fix a monitor. Dan grinned, riffing an impromptu blues lick while joking, “Guess we’re warming up with you all tonight!” The hiccup only made the payoff sweeter.

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Incubus

The penultimate act, Incubus, brought a tidal wave of alt-rock nostalgia. Brandon Boyd’s ethereal voice soared over “Drive” and “Wish You Were Here,” the crowd swaying under a starlit sky. Since their 1991 inception in Calabasas, California, Incubus has evolved from nu-metal roots to a polished, introspective sound that’s stood the test of time. Their set was a journey—equal parts heavy and haunting, a perfect bridge to the headliner.

Notable Event: A fan near the front unfurled a banner reading “Incubus Saved My Life ’99,” catching Brandon’s eye. He paused to say, “That’s why we do this,” before launching into “Pardon Me,” his voice cracking with emotion.

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Fall Out Boy

The night crescendoed with Fall Out Boy, Day 1’s headliner, igniting Tempe with a fireworks-worthy finale. Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump led the charge, tearing through “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” and “Thnks fr th Mmrs” with relentless energy. Formed in Wilmette, Illinois, in 2001, this pop-punk powerhouse has grown into a stadium-filling juggernaut, their theatrical flair lighting up the stage with pyrotechnics and soaring riffs. The crowd erupted, a sea of voices screaming every lyric as the desert night pulsed with life.

Notable Event: Mid-set, during “American Beauty/American Psycho,” a swarm of beach balls—emblazoned with the Innings Festival logo—bounced through the crowd, a playful nod to the baseball theme. Pete egged them on, shouting, “Keep ‘em flying, Tempe!” as the chaos reigned.

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The Day’s End

As Fall Out Boy’s final chords faded, the crowd lingered, buzzing from a day that blended music and baseball into a sun-soaked celebration. Day 1 of the Innings Festival 2025 was a home run—each act a hit, each moment a memory etched against the Tempe skyline. From Boyish’s gentle start to Fall Out Boy’s explosive finish, the desert had sung, and we’d all sung back.