Innings Festival 2023 Day 1: Baseball Meets Music in a Home Run Event
Tempe, Arizona - February 25th, 2023
WORDS: ALYSSA BUZZELLO
PHOTOS: BLAKE CRANDALL
Innings Fest Day 1
If you're a fan of baseball and music, there's no better place to be than Innings Festival. The festival, which takes place in Tempe, Arizona, brings together some of the biggest names in the music industry, as well as baseball players and activities for a weekend of fun, entertainment, and excitement.
Day one of Innings Festival this year was a hit, and featured Green Day, Weezer, The Black Crowes, The Offspring, The Pretty Reckless, and Andrew McMahon. Here's our review of the day's performances, activations, and more.
The Music
Andrew McMahon @ Innings Fest
The Innings Festival's Day 1 line-up was a perfect mix of punk, rock, and pop genres. Andrew McMahon took the stage early, to perfectly clear and sunny weather. McMahon's performance was a delightful mix of heart-warming ballads and upbeat pop-rock anthems that had the crowd swaying and dancing along. The setlist was a perfect blend of old and new songs, catering to both long-time fans and new listeners. McMahon’s energy was infectious as always. What really stands out is his genuine connection with the audience. He shared anecdotes between songs, climbed onto his piano, and even jumped into the crowd a few different times. It was his performance of "Dark Blue" to end the set that stole the show. The song had the audience in a nostalgic frenzy, as they sang along to every word.
The Offspring @ Innings Fest
Photo: Ashley Osborn
The Offspring took the stage next, and they brought their signature punk rock sound to the festival. The band performed some of their most iconic hits, such as "Self Esteem" and "Come Out and Play." At the speed they were playing through all of their hits with such energy, you wouldn’t believe the band was formed pre-1990.
The Pretty Reckless delivered a rock-heavy set, featuring some of their biggest hits. Taylor Momsen, the lead singer of The Pretty Reckless, delivered a killer performance that showcased her range and vocal prowess while inviting the audience to join her band for the day and sing along.
Weezer @ Innings Fest
Next up was Weezer, who brought their unique blend of pop-rock to the festival as the sun was setting. The band's setlist included some of their biggest hits, such as “Beverly Hills”, “Say It Ain’t So”, “Buddy Holly” and even their cover of Toto’s “Africa” which brought them back to the spotlight a few years ago. When it came time for the 1996 release “El Scorcho” on the setlist, the band stole the crowd with the line “I asked you to the Green Day concert,” followed by a Green Day riff, then returning to the song with “you said you never heard of them”.
The Black Crowes kicked off their set with "No Speak No Slave", and the crowd was immediately hooked. The band's high-energy performance had the audience on their feet, and kept the momentum going with hits like "Jealous Again" and "Remedy." The Black Crowes' performance was a high-energy, rock n' roll spectacle, and their musicianship was truly remarkable.
Green Day @ Innings Fest
The headliners of the night, Green Day, closed out the night with a bang. They did what they did best which is putting on a giant glistening rock spectacular that took the audience on a journey through years of their hits. The performance ended on a tender note, with Green Day playing “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)”. The lyrics “I hope you had the time of your life” seemed to take on a special significance as the crowd sang along in unison, a perfect way to end day one of the festival.
The Baseball
Rarely do music and sports collide in as grand a fashion as this festival. We caught up with Andrew McMahon before the festival got started, to chat about his new album out next month, and his thoughts on the weekend’s festivities. Although not a huge sports fan, he commented “I’m really excited just to play with all of these bands. I think it’s going to be really cool” McMahon commented. Similarly to baseball superstitions and lucky charms, before every show without fail he makes himself a cocktail and warms up his voice with a few songs including “Pet Sounds” by the Beach Boys. His new album “Tilt At The Wind No More” will be out March 31st followed by shows across the country. There are, of course, some ways that music has always been integrated into baseball like the players’ walk up songs. If McMahon had to pick a walk up song, his would be “The Distance” by Cake.
Maybe the most unique thing done at the festival were the baseball-themed activities that provided even more entertainment for attendees throughout the day. One of the most popular activations was the batting cages, where festival-goers could test their skills alongside some of the best pitchers in the game. Major League Baseball players were in attendance throughout the day, interacting with fans and showing off in the batting cages. Fans had the opportunity to meet their favorite players and get autographs, and there were even a few impromptu games of catch happening throughout the festival grounds.
Day one of Innings Festival 2023 was a huge success, and it's easy to see why. The mix of music and baseball-themed activations and player appearances made it a unique experience that was enjoyed by fans of all ages. The food and drinks were excellent, and the venue provided the perfect backdrop for a day of fun and entertainment. The headlining acts didn't disappoint, and the presence of Major League Baseball players added to the festival's charm. We can't wait to see what Day 2 has in store for us!