Sugar Thieves Head to Memphis

Watch out -- they'll take all your sweet stuff.

​For the second year in a row, The Sugar Thieves have won the Arizona Blues Showdown, and will be traveling to Memphis to represent the state in the 26th International Blues Challenge. While they'll be up against seasoned musicians, the young Thieves bring a whole new energy to the table. The blues are often talked about as a dying art form. While the blues' popularity has dwindled over the years, it gives many people hope to see the genre moving in the direction that The Sugar Thieves are taking it.

Much of the Arizona blues community sees this band as the embodiment of the future of blues. While they are not as traditional sounding as some others, they are soulful and sassy, sincere and optimistic in a way that only the blues can be. Sharp-dressed, gritty, and doing plenty of Jäger shots before taking the stage, they own their shows, and this year, they've decided that they're "in it to win it." While they could still qualify to go to the competition one more year, they've chosen to eye for number one, and make this their final appearance on Beale Street.

We want to wish them the best of luck as they head out of town. The competition starts on Wednesday and they'll be playing tonight at the Rhythm Room and tomorrow afternoon in front of Casa de Artistas in Scottsdale before heading out east. Let's give them a proper send-off.