The local music scene in metro Phoenix has launched its share of major artists through the decades, from Duane Eddy running “Rebel Rouser” up the pop charts in the ‘50s through the rise of Alice Cooper, whose members got their start in local teen clubs, to Meat Puppets, Gin Blossoms, Jimmy Eat World, The Maine … you know the list.
And through it all, on any given weekend, you could always find dozens of local acts sweating it out in the clubs with no real prospect of a double-platinum breakthrough in their future. Not because their music isn’t often brilliant in its own way. There’s just so much more to chart success than being good at what you do.
Those bands that never get beyond that level are, in many ways, the lifeblood of a local music scene.
Vote for your favorite local artist in our Battle of the Bands
Which brings us to our local music poll.
We’re asking you to vote on what you feel to be the best in local music, the artists most likely to get you off the sofa and out to the club.
We’re not including acts whose popularity is such that while we do reserve the right to take great pride in their success, it could be argued that their fame transcends the concept of what people mean when they say local music.
We’re also not including musicians or bands who moved away after getting their start on local stages. You can’t be local if you leave.
You also have to be at least a little active. No averaging only one show a year.
We reached out to DJs known to celebrate the local scene at KWSS-FM and ALT AZ for nominations. We also checked in with a couple club owners to see if they had any thoughts on who should be included, which they did.
And yet, it could be argued that this list of likely candidates barely scratches the surface. I can think of several bands I love with all my heart that aren’t included here in the interest of keeping it down to a reasonably manageable number.
If you don't see your top pick mentioned, send me an email at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com, which we truly hope you’ll do if someone you believe should here doesn’t have a little box to check.
Voting closes at 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
The artists receiving the most votes will be featured in a music column launching soon. They’ll also be invited to participate in an online Battle of the Bands, a March Madness bracket-style poll that will begin with 16 acts. The winner of that Battle of the Bands will then be featured in a USA TODAY Network Acoustic mini-concert filmed at The Arizona Republic.
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The Arizona Republic's 2026 Battle of the Bands
- AJJ
- Alison’s Halo
- Astrologer
- Bag of Tricks Cat
- Bethany Home
- Bite the Hand
- Bogan Via
- Breakup Shoes
- By Storm
- Chloe Tang
- Chris Bowen
- Christopher Shayne
- Colton Avery
- Dan E.T.
- Diva Bleach
- Dorsten
- Dropout Kings
- Fayuca
- Fearofmakingout
- Flyingfish
- Gatecreeper
- Ghost Moone
- Glixen
- Good Boy Daisy
- Grey Daze
- Hyperbella
- Jane N’ the Jungle
- Jason P. Woodbury
- Maeby
- Mattstagraham
- Mega Ran
- Mouse Powell
- MRCH
- My Upside Down
- Noirblvd
- Paper Foxes
- Pariah Pete
- Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra
- Pijama Piyama
- Playboy Manbaby
- Practically People
- Scary Kids Scaring Kids
- Scorpion Vs. Tarantula
- Snailmate
- Sorry X
- Sugar Thieves
- Sydney Sprague
- The Black Moods
- The Color 8
- The Hourglass Cats
- The Joeys
- The Kaleidoscope Kid
- The Senators
- The Stakes
- The Venomous Pinks
- Thee Oblidiots
- There is No Us
- Victoria Bigelow
- Wheelwright
- Willy Northpole
Ed has covered pop music for The Republic since 2007, reviewing festivals and concerts, interviewing legends, covering the local scene and more. He did the same in Pittsburgh for more than a decade. Follow him on X and Instagram @edmasley and on Facebook as Ed Masley. Email him at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who's the best local band in Phoenix? Vote in Battle of the Bands
