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Arizona's musical history has been heavily influenced by Mexican immigrants. Banda, corridos, mariachi and conjunto became very popular in Arizona in the 20th century and innovative scenes popped up in immigrant communities across the state. more...

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Other major influences come from styles popular throughout the rest of the United States.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff has a community (non-professional) orchestra, the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. The FSO includes both townspeople and faculty and students from Northern Arizona University. The Orpheum Theater is the biggest performing venue in northern Arizona. The city hosts two music festivals, the Flagstaff Folk Festival and the Flagstaff Music Festival.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a center for musical innovation, and has been called a rock mecca by Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World . Jimmy Eat World, which gained fame as an emo rock group, is one of the most popular band to come from Phoenix in recent years.

Tempe (home of Arizona State University) and Mesa also coexist with Phoenix as part of the musical scene.

The nickname \"Phoenix Rock City\" has caught on with some in the area, and there is local pride based on even such things as area codes (i.e. the 4-HATE-0 crew, the chanting of \"602\" at hardcore shows in the early 1990s, etc.)

In the 1960s, rock and R&B bands inspired by British Invasion groups like The Beatles appeared in Phoenix. The most famous musician to emerge from this era was Alice Cooper, along with Bill Spooner (most famously of The Tubes); local stars included The Superfine Dandelion, Mike Condello, The Grapes of Wrath, Phil & the Frantics and Floyd & Jerry.

The group Pages was formed by Phoenix residents Richard Page and Steve George, who later formed the nucleus of the pop-rock group Mr. Mister.

The 1980s rock band Flotsam and Jetsam were also prominent.

CeCe Peniston is among the best-known Black musical performers from this area. Hip-hop groups frequently visit and there is also local talent.

Phoenix boasts a renowned orchestra, the Phoenix Symphony.

Prominent venues have included Compton Terrace (a large stage area in the desert), Dodge Theater, the Mason Jar, Modified Arts, the Paper Heart Gallery, The Trunk Space, Four White Walls, The Willow House, The Marquee Theatre, Club Rio, Long Wong's (also famous for its chicken wings), Nita's Hideaway, the Sun Club, and other smaller locations. Several independent promotion companies have started operating, giving the Phoenix musicgoer many choices any given night for entertainment. These include Lucky Man Productions, SceneIsDead Concerts, Copperstate Productions, The Good Shows, The Shizz, and Modest Proposal Music.

Dance clubs in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe are active, especially with students. For many years, Phoenix was a common place for \"raves\", dance parties hosted in typically isolated locations.

Hispanic/Latino music has a large following, and numerous import stores exist throughout the city for it. There are also several Spanish-language music radio stations. The annual \"Fiestas Patrias\" celebration brings many Mexican musicians to town, with groups such as Los Tigres del Norte.

Read more at Wikipedia.org