Blogs

By: Jonathan McNamara

Wow! And I thought SXSW was music-packed. This weekend music fans had no trouble finding ear candy. Friday brought us aural stimulation in the form of Tempe Music Festival. While a host of local bands played on the emerging artist stage, My Chemical Romance brought the house down for Hot Topic shoppers everywhere.

Also appearing Friday night (and making Muddy Waters spin in his grave) was the ever-invasive blues rock duo The Black Keys. They tore things up at The Marquee Theater despite would-be opening band Jay-Retard bowing out due to an illness.

Saturday was round two for Tempe Music Fest. and long-time Phoenicians couldn't have been happier. Hometown heroes The Meat Puppets and The Gin Blossoms played the same stage before turning things over to Fergie to finish the night. Also of note is a slamming performance by the recently reformed Eve 6.

For those who found their music sensors over-stimulated there was salvation not 100 yards from the festival in the form of the Tempe Dragon Boat Festival.

Chances I have for stealing the limelight are few so I’m stealing a moment now. I’m Jonathan McNamara, newly appointed Web Editor for Phoenix New Times and what you’re reading now is called Valley Fever; a blog.

In the beginning a blog was defined as a constantly-updating Web page that provides information about a particular topic. Since then the term has evolved as the function of blogs have changed. No longer do blogs merely reflect the thoughts of one person, they've become a line of communication where readers are encouraged to give feedback. They are a discussion.

You may have noticed the comment box at the bottom of this post?

That belongs to you. Use it.

What will you be commenting on?

Valley Fever ‘s topic is Phoenix and the valley cities. That means that what you’ll find here are posts about issues pertaining to your life within this great metropolis. You’ll find additional material from our staff writers that didn’t make it into the print version of New Times. You’ll find stories about hometown heroes and local legends or just that crazy punk rocker who wouldn’t stop air-guitaring at The Black Keys concert last Friday.

Trust me when I say that we’ve got some great stuff headed your way soon. And here’s the beautiful part: on the off chance you don’t find Valley Fever interesting we want you to comment and let us know what you’d like to see covered. Consider all request lines open.

I can’t wait to hear from you,

Jonathan McNamara
Web Editor
Phoenix New Times