One of Arizona’s best festival lineups of the year is almost upon us as M3F Festival approaches on March 1-2.
Hosting a wide variety of artists that will have both EDM and Indie music fans booking their flights to Phoenix, the event also donates 100% of their proceeds to charity as a non-profit music festival.
Since 2022, they have given $2 million to worthy causes with a total of $5.2 million donated in total since its inception in 2004.
Past recipients include Phoenix Children’s Hospital for their Music Therapy Program, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Habitat for Humanity, Boys Hope Girls Hope, United Way, Rosie’s House, and many more.
Now the local favorite festival has moved to Steele Indian School Park with an even larger footprint, plenty of art activations, and, of course, a talented roster ready to kick off 2024 festival season.
But with so many chart-topping performers to look forward to, how do you decide? Here’s EDM Maniac’s recommendation on six artists you can’t miss at M3F Festival.
1. Coco & Breezy
Coco & Breezy are the fiercest DJs and producers in the game right now. Consisting of Corianna (Coco) and Brianna (Breezy) Dotson, the duo are identical twins and are using their inspirations of dance, fashion, and culture to shape a new world of house music.
Growing up the duo have gravitated towards dance music and culture since they were teenagers. Their passions led them to be tour dancers for the legendary Prince.
As Afro-Latina women in the music industry, the sisters have had to carve their own way, while still paying homage to their cultural roots using house and disco music to do so.
“We are all about good energy and bringing that vibe – it’s what we do. Our music reflects all of the influences in our lives, different from how we might be stereotyped.” –Coco And Breezy. A Coco And Breezy live experience always brings the energy and joy.
2. WhoMadewho
Underground electronic band WhoMadeWho is well-known across the international dance scene for their ability to blend live elements like singing and keyboards with haunting and emotional elements.
The Danish trio, comprised of Tomas Høffding, Tomas Barfod, and Jeppe Kjellberg, come from separate backgrounds in DJing, rock, and jazz to bring a sound that is addictingly enticing.
Their unique performances and records have landed them on prominent labels like Kompakt, Innervisions, and Life & Death and standout sets across the globe from Roskilde to Sonar to Melt! to Burning Man.
WhoMadeWho may be best known for their incredible Cercle live set that streamed from the historic Abu Simbel temple in Egypt bringing a new depth to their already resonant sets.
3. Arlo Parks
Artist, songwriter, and poet Arlo Parks is a performer unlike any other bringing her affinity for spoken word poetry, soft voice, and soothing beats to M3F.
Born in London with Nigerian, Chadian, and French roots, Arlo Parks was heavily influenced by poets like Ginsberg and Jim Morrison, artist King Krule, hip hop staples like Kendrick Lamar, and subdued creatives like Sufjan Stevens.
Her cinematic writing and dreamy sound earned her two Grammy nominations in 2022: one for Best New Artist and one for Best Alternative Music Album for Collapsed In Sunbeams.
4. Dayglow
The indie-pop singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Sloan Struble, also known as Dayglow, hails from Texas where he began recording music at the age of ten via Garage Band.
Soon he would pick up instruments and begin producing and recording tracks with his first catchy single, “Can I Call You Tonight,” blowing up in 2018 just as he was heading off to college.
The bubbly song is representative of Dayglow’s signature sound: addictive, uplifting, funky, and pure fun.
Now on his third album, People In Motion, Dayglow continues to pump out feel-good beats and cheeky vocals like in “Second Nature,” “How Do You Know,” and “Then It All Goes Away.”
5. it’s murph
Garrett Murphy, aka it’s murph, is trailblazing the modern dance music era with feelings of nostalgia, happiness, and a passion unlike any other.
Growing up with an ear for music, its murph went to school at the University of Southern California while simultaneously DJing every event he could, taking a particular liking to house music.
His breakout hit “Food for the Soul” was teased on Tik Tok back in January of 2023 and garnered global social media attention. The song has influences from Flume and Odesza, and was made as a school assignment. The assignment was to “create a song that tells a story.” Becoming a global hit with millions of streams, the story has resonated with fans everywhere.
it’s murph promises to deliver a high energy, euphoric set at M3F.
6. Elderbrook
Elderbrook is a multifaceted talent in electronic music. Hailing from the UK, Elderbrook, real name Alexander Kotz, is a singer, producer songwriter and DJ.
Focusing on guiding listeners through an emotional journey, Elderbrook’s music is meant to reflect his real life experiences, especially around the ups and downs of love and how they have impacted him.
What makes Elderbrook unique are the extraordinary aspects of his live shows. He opts out of the typical CDJ set up at most venues and will surround himself with instruments. A microphone, keyboard, drumsticks, and more are all involved in his epic live sets.
The beauty of Elderbrook is that while his sets are always unpredictable, we can guarantee he will put on a show to be remembered.
Co-authors Maddie Whelan & Danielle Levy
