M3F Delivered Dust, Dancefloor Devotions, and Disappointment

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The 2026 edition of M3F unleashed stupendous performances but fell short with logistical oversights, including a lack of water access and ADA accessibility.

Just like many chronically online ravers, my interest was piqued when designs for M3F‘s new Vista Stage came across my Instagram feed. Unfamiliar with the Phoenix-based music festival, the diverse lineup and promise of a warm location called to me as temperatures plummeted on the East Coast.

Making a vow to attend new events throughout 2026, I took a break from the frigid air of Philadelphia and flew out to Arizona for the two-day music and arts event on March 6-7. Welcomed with weather in the 70s upon landing, I couldn’t wait to get to the stunning grounds of Steele Indian School Park to explore and let loose on the dancefloor.

Where M3F excelled was in the talent bookings and affordability.

Opting to move toward a more dance-heavy lineup for 2026, M3F had plenty of enticing acts for ravers who were looking for phenomenal headliners at a friendly price point. Chris Lorenzo, one of house music’s hottest producers, shut down the Vista Stage on Friday with a high-octane performance of hits and IDs. Additionally, Peggy Gou served up a spectacle on Saturday, which had the crowd grooving.

Of The Trees performed for the first time since the release of his latest album, giving fans a taste of his new era. Daily Bread took the Daydream stage on a wild ride through his genre-bending catalog. Bread heads got down to “When I’m Gone” and “Snickerz,” as the outskirts filled with flow toy enthusiasts, lighting up the night.

Rising artist jigitz wowed with a stage full of ballerinas who bopped around to his dynamic tracks. With a packed-out set at Signal 33 @ Cosmic, the tenacious talent dropped his popular tracks “the time,” “dollaz n dollaz,” and “tell you straight” throughout his commanding performance.

For the price of entry to M3F, the lineup more than delivered.

As many festivals attract top-notch talent, prices skyrocket. It was clear that M3F provided an opportunity to many who typically cannot justify festivals with similar lineups to experience them for the first time. For instance, Leo, a Phoenix local, was excited to bring his little brother, Sebastian, to his first show. Seeking a family-friendly event, he jumped at the chance to introduce his brother to the scene at a young age by playing his favorites, Neil Francis and Chris Lorenzo.

Along with affordable ticket prices, the cost of goods within the venue felt incredibly reasonable. With a standard liquor drink totaling $12 and 6 dumplings ringing up at $8, the huge debate of festival price gouging went out the window. While there was a lack of variety among food vendors, especially for those with dietary restrictions, I was happy I wasn’t paying $15 for a hot dog as I had at other events.

Unfortunately, the festival fell short of the top-notch experience expected.

As someone who has attended over 70 festivals, it’s easy to see where there’s room for improvement. The main stage felt very quiet as crowds began to form and the night ushered in. Although we were at the front of the crowd near the speaker, Chris Lorenzo’s set was, at times, overpowered by chatter.

During the day, the venue was breathtaking, with a large lake in the center, providing the perfect backdrop for sunset photographs. Come nighttime, I expected more from the production and grounds. Looking for colorful uplighting, all I found was bright park lights. With a few sparse art displays, I didn’t necessarily see the tagline of “art comes first” come to life.

The new Vista stage had been hyped across social media and was the main draw for my travels. The renderings showed large towers that would engulf the crowd in beams of light for a fully immersive experience. An ambitious concept, the lighting was not as captivating from every spot in the crowd as intended. Best viewed from the middle back, having to be in a specific spot for the production to capture my attention defeated the purpose of the stage design.

Over at Signal 33 @ Cosmic, the stage redesign fell flat. While the stage featured some of the best performances of the weekend, the lighting structures didn’t seem bright enough, and the giant balls that were supposed to be illuminated as they floated on the water behind the stage were lackluster and, frankly, not integrated with the stage at all.

Knowing that M3F is a charity festival, I tried to realign my opinions as it wasn’t a large-scale, for-profit event. But while there were a multitude of areas for improvement, some of what transpired was simply unacceptable.

After flying back home, I took time to read attendees’ comments on Reddit and Instagram, where many pointed out that the festival failed to release any information this year regarding its involvement with a charity. Previous editions had announced specific beneficiaries, ranging from Backline and Free Arts to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Habitat for Humanity, yet their official website still lacks any information about who will receive funds from this year’s edition.

Attending the festival with someone who needed ADA accommodations allowed me to see just how nonexistent they were on site. With one singular picnic table and a flimsy sign beside it that said “ADA Seating Area,” the table was unmonitored and used by the general public as a place to sit and eat.

As festivals are required to provide accessible viewing areas, M3F failed to provide a safe space for those with disabilities. The communication regarding ADA services before and at the festival was severely lacking. Emails were given vague responses, and on-site, a security member stated, “Everywhere is ADA. It’s first-come, first-served.” By not providing proper accommodations, the festival overlooked part of its community.

Another oversight was the removal of free water stations. As the sun beat down upon the crowd in the early hours of the festival, a medical emergency took place during Elderbrook‘s set, pausing the performance for an extended period of time. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was due to heat exhaustion and if the emergency could have been avoided. M3F provided free bottles of water at their info booth for those who needed them, but these frequently ran out. With the festival taking place in Arizona, not having easy access to free water at all times felt irresponsible.

Despite the weekend not meeting expectations, M3F provided a much-needed escape from reality.

Over the course of M3F, the festival allowed me to reconnect with long-distance friends, discover new favorite artists, and escape the overwhelming sense of dread that has plagued the internet in recent weeks.

The community that showed up was vibrant and welcoming. At each set, I made new connections within the crowd, which was a bright spot for the weekend. Drawing in a diverse crowd due to its family-friendly nature, the joy I felt seeing children experience the freedom of self-expression that festivals provide was priceless.

Before the event, M3F seemed to tease that 2026 would be their last festival. If it continues to produce events, I hope the feedback from attendees is taken to heart and changes are implemented to improve the festival experience for years to come.