By Stella Speridon-Violet

Arizona felt different this weekend.

Not just because the Breakaway Festival touched down in the desert for the very first time—but because it showed us what it looks like when music, community, and chaos collide in the best way possible.

Breakaway Arizona didn’t just roll into town quietly. In true Breakaway fashion, the party started before the gates even opened.

Photo Credit: Mo Duckett (@mogrsmedia) Celsius (*@celsiusofficial*)

The Prelude: Pop-Ups, Frat Houses, and Jake Shane

On Thursday night, festival goers caught a taste of the unexpected when viral pop duo Two Friends threw down an impromptu Day Zero performance outside Sloan Park, surrounded by fans, festival staff, and the kind of hype that doesn’t need a stage to thrive.

The next day? Even wilder.

The Chainsmokers crashed a party at ASU’s FIJI fraternity, turning a college house into a headliner set. With decks set up on the front lawn, Drew and Alex threw it back to their roots, blaring “Closer” through a sea of students who couldn’t believe what was happening.

Meanwhile, CELSIUS® hosted a pop-up with comedian and podcast host Jake Shane (aka Octopusslover8), who mingled with fans and influencers in a laid-back, sun-soaked activation that felt like a pregame with your coolest friends.

It was the kind of weekend kickoff that made everyone feel like they were part of something big—because they were.

Day One: Arizona Turns Up

By the time Friday, April 18 rolled around, Sloan Park had been fully transformed. Think desert skyline, massive LED walls, interactive experiences with brands like Jimmy Johns and Mco Beauty, and the hum of anticipation in the air.

The lineup was stacked, with performances from Zerb, Frank Walker, Wax Motif, SIDEPIECE, and Night Tales, who brought a soulful, live-vocal energy to the stage.

That’s a duo you’ll want to keep your eyes on. With roots in Australia and a mission to make dance music more human, Night Tales introduced the Arizona crowd to their new immersive concept, CLR—Color, Love, Rhythm—which they’ll officially debut in Atlanta. You can check out our full feature on them, now live on the site [insert link here].

But Friday’s crown belonged to The Chainsmokers and Two Friends, who took the main stage and left no energy unspent.

Festival goers didn’t seem to mind the rain that began before The Chainsmokers took the stage, and that didn’t stop the headliner from putting on an electrifying performance.

Day Two: Turning Up the Heat

If Friday was the spark, Saturday lit the whole desert on fire.

Breakaway’s second day brought out another wave of high-energy performances, including Levity, Łaszewo, Peekaboo, Coco & Breezy, and Klo, building up to a euphoric finale with headliners Gryffin and Sofi Tukker.

Everywhere you looked, something was happening—The Launch Pad presented by White Claw Surge, onsite activations from brands like Beatbox, Jimmy John’s, MCoBeauty, and Goodr, and moments between strangers that felt like instant memories.

It wasn’t just a music festival—it was a pop-up city, a moment of pause from real life, and a reminder of how good it feels to be surrounded by people who get it.

A New Beat in the Southwest

Breakaway’s Arizona debut wasn’t just about bringing major talent to the desert. It was about building something.

From the local vendors to the interactive brand experiences to the surprise sets that felt like fever dreams, the weekend showed why Breakaway is the fastest-growing independent music brand in the country.

With 12 stops on the 2025 tour—including new cities like Dallas, Atlanta, and Philly—Breakaway is redefining what a music festival can look and feel like.

Arizona showed up. And if this weekend was any indication, Breakaway won’t just be back—it’ll be bigger.

Click here for more information about upcoming Breakaway Festival events near you.

Breakaway Arizona Made The Desert Feel Limitless