Heading into Extra Innings Festival, I didn’t know what to expect. Not being a big fan of country music, I anticipated a long weekend of unfamiliar tunes and massive crowds. However, Extra Innings surprised me, and instantly made me eat my words. This festival weekend was a warm slice of baseball and music, with outstanding company. 

Day 1

I was particularly impressed with O.A.R. and their performance. The band brought a high-energy set, which provided a welcome reset from the opening acts, who, while amazing, played a slower tempo of music. O.A.R., off the bat, did a great job engaging with the crowd and encouraging them to participate right from the start. Add their ska-punk flair and it was a recipe for dancing crowds complemented with smiles all around.

The next performance I was most impressed with was from The Lumineers, the headliner of Day One. I wasn’t sure what to expect out of a household name that has been playing shows for years. The band dominated the radio throughout the 2010s, and sometimes, I feel these well-established groups can get to a point of intense burn out which translates to a mundane, low-energy performances. However, The Lumineers engaged with the crowd perfectly. My personal favorite moment was when they told the story behind their biggest hit, “Ho Hey.” They pointed out the irony of the song frequently being used at weddings since it is actually a heartbreak, breakup song. They concluded the segment by leading into one of their favorite love songs, which they mentioned people should use at their weddings instead, that it’s one of their very few love songs. This song was the front-runner of their set for me and made it’s way into my playlist by the end of the night.

The festival layout, while seemingly vast, was enhanced by a scenic walk beside the lake between stages, offering an incredible view of Tempe Town Lake and the Tempe skyline at sunset. Along the route from stage to stage, major sponsors such as Zyn, Espolón Tequila, Tito’s, and Mike’s Harder had vibrant setups promoting their brands. The VIP and guest bleachers were a well-thought out addition. The ability to sit down in baseball-style bleachers between set provided much-needed relief from the long walk between stages while also fitting perfectly with the festival’s theme.

Day 2

Now, Day Two was where Innings Festival Extra Innings truly shined. I found myself totally encapsulated by the atmosphere. Day Two felt like an entirely different festival, the energy was up and everyone had a calm spirit around them. We were gifted with performances by Maren Morris, Sam Barber, and Kings of Leon, who all stood out from the pack with their performances. Kings of Leon, who played their first show of 2025 at Extra Innings, delivered a visually captivating set, implementing neon light outlines, creative lighting, and dramatic shadows to emphasize emotion during key moments in the setlist

Key Impressions

Each stage had ample space for those needing a break from the crowd, and navigating the festival grounds was easy, with attendees maintaining a friendly and community-driven environment. The Tempe Town Lake added an unexpected touch—planes flying overheard as they approached Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport created a surreal, almost cinematic experience as aircraft shadows briefly passed over the festival.

Verizon’s exclusive viewing area, free to Verizon customers, was perfectly positioned at mainstrage, directly in front of the house, offering one of the best vantage points. The staff at the festival were impeccable, bringing smiles to attendee’s faces all day.

When it came to food, prices were reasonable with $5 tacos and other entrées averaging around $15. Overall Extra Innings Festival was a blast—a must for any Phoenix Local, Baseball fan, or music aficionado!