Tucson, Arizona
After gigging in Southern California, take I-10 East to the indie-friendly city of Tucson, Arizona. Located 120 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the Mexican border, Tucson is home to a small but committed independent music scene mainly concentrated in the downtown area. Folk and rock are strongly represented in this diverse desert city, and southwestern rock outfit Calexico is among several of the Tucson-bred making a name for themselves nationally. University of Arizona, a public university with over 50,000 students, is filled with young people looking for new music to pack the clubs. Annual music events of note include the Big AZ Music Festival in October, the Tucson Folk Festival in May and the Tucson Area Music Awards (The Tammies) in August. With its wide variety of accommodating venues and alternative mentality, Tucson is well worth the trip across the desert.
>>Photo: Fred Hood © MT Convention & Visitors Bureau
Guide to Gigging in Tucson
Book a Gig: Venues
CLUB CONGRESS
311 EAST CONGRESS STREET
TUCSON, AZ 85701
(520) 622-8848
www.hotelcongress.com/club
This 22-year-old hotel and nightclub hosts an array of the hottest local and touring acts, usually indie, world beat and singer/songwriter, up to three nights a week. To book, contact David Slutes at congressbooking@yahoo.com about six months in advance.
THE DRY RIVER COLLECTIVE
740 NORTH MAIN STREET
TUCSON, AZ 85705
(520) 882-2170
www.dryriver.org
A D.I.Y. anarchist collective that hosts weekend shows from musicians of all genres. To book, e-mail bookings@dryriver.org at least three months in advance.
SOLAR CULTURE GALLERY
31 EAST TOOLE AVENUE
TUCSON, AZ 85701
(520) 884-0874
www.solarculture.org
This all-ages art gallery, studio, and music venue hosts artists of most genres, especially world and experimental, four to six times a month. Contact Steven Eye at steveneye@solarculture.org two to six months in advance to book.
THE RIALTO THEATRE
318 EAST CONGRESS STREET
TUCSON, AZ 85701
(520)740-1000
www.rialtotheatre.com
Built in 1920, this all-ages venue features bands of all genres, but tends to lean toward more well-known artists. To book, e-mail b00king@rialtotheatre.com and mail a press kit to P.O. Box 1728 Tucson, AZ 85702 Attn: Booking.
SKRAPPY’S
201 EAST BROADWAY BOULEVARD
TUCSON, AZ 85701-2013
(520) 358-4287
www.skrappys.org
This all-ages, substance-free youth center hosts shows from local and touring artist of all styles. To book, e-mail Kathy Woodrige at Skrappys@hotmail.com or Samuel Abate at sam.abate@gmail.com about a month or two in advance.
VAUDEVILLE CABARET
110 EAST CONGRESS STREET
TUCSON, AZ 85701
(520) 622-3535
www.vaudevillecabaret.com
This eclectic downtown club holds live performances from local and touring artists of all genres, recently catering more towards hip-hop groups. To book, contact Mark Beef at (520) 891-4855 or markbeef@vaudevillecabaret.com at least one to two months in advance.
PLUSH
340 EAST 6TH STREET
TUCSON, AZ 85705
(520) 798-1298
www.plushtucson.com
Dedicated to enhancing Tucson’s live music scene, Plush hosts performances from both local and touring bands of all genres five to seven nights a week. To book, send an e-mail to Kris Kerry at kris@plushtucson.com or call (520) 798-1302 two to three months in advance.
THE HUT
305 NORTH 4TH AVENUE
TUCSON, AZ 85705
(520) 623-3200
www.thehuttucson.com
This no frills club boasts a great stage and sound for roots and Americana bands. To book, contact Stuart Oliver one to two months in advance at www.myspace.com/
thehuttucson or thehuttucson@hotmail.com with a local band in mind.
Promote a Gig: Media
KAMP 1570 AM
PO BOX 3605
TUCSON, AZ 85722
(520) 621-8173
kamp.arizona.edu
University of Arizona’s student-run radio station features music from all genres, interviews with local and touring bands, and in-studio performances. Submit CDs to the above address, marked attention to the specific music director or genre.
KXCI 91.3 FM
220 SOUTH 4TH AVENUE
TUCSON, AZ 85701
(520) 623-1000
kxci.publicbroadcasting.net
Tucson’s community radio station features upcoming local shows on its website (with submissions done online) and features eclectic programming from indie rock to jazz, honky-tonk to blues.
TUCSON WEEKLY
PO BOX 27087
TUCSON, AZ 85726-7087
(520) 792-3630
www.tucsonweekly.com
This alternative weekly is ripe with preview features and live reviews of up-and-coming bands. Submit an event listing at least 11 days in advance by fax to (520) 792-2096 or fill out the form online. For editorial consideration, contact Music Editor Stephen Seigel at musiced@tucsonweekly.com.
TOXIC RANCH RECORDS
424 EAST 6TH STREET
TUCSON, AZ 85705
(520) 623-2008
www.toxicranchrecords.com
Indie record store with a promo table for bands to drop off anything from show flyers to promotional stickers.
Gear/Repairs
THE CHICAGO STORE
130 E CONGRESS
TUCSON, AZ 85701
(520) 622-3341
www.chicagomusicstore.com
Conveniently located in downtown Tucson, The Chicago Store buys, sells, rents, trades and repairs all musical instruments. Walk-ins are accepted, hours are Monday through Saturday 9-6. |
