Stateside Presents has announced the first wave of bands that will play Viva PHX, which will take place at 18 venues around Downtown Phoenix on Saturday, March 11.

Viva PHX is one of the most exciting musical events in the year. Bands from all over the country pack into Phoenix to create a South By Southwest-type feel, as music streams out seemingly every door downtown. This year's festival promises to be bigger than ever, as 75 bands will play at 18 venues during the event.

Mash-up expert Girl Talk and just-reunited emo cult figures American Football will headline the event.

Two old school rappers will also join the bill: Mr. Shake Ya Ass himself, Mystikal, and the inimitable Warren G. 19-year-old Florida rapper Kaiydo is also high up on the bill, as are indie rock bands the Drums and Temples.

The lineup has some gems among the 59 bands announced so far. For instance, there's Uffie, the Franco-American singer you might recognize from the Justice song "TThhEe PPaARRtTYY." Then there's indie rap stalwarts Blackalicious, punk geniuses Fucked Up, rockabilly band Reverend Horton Heat, and indie Latin-rock band Chicano Batman.

Venues that will be a part of the event include Comerica Theatre, Crescent Ballroom, Valley Bar, Last Exit Live, Orpheum Theatre, and Monarch Theatre, along with the Cityscape and outdoor stages at Second Avenue and Punk Rock Alley. Nontraditional spaces that will host music include the Phoenix Masonic Temple and its underground “Boiler Room,” the Goldwater Room at Renaissance Phoenix Downtown, Grace Chapel, and a loading dock.

Tickets for Viva PHX are on sale for $25, and a limited number of $45 fast pass tickets (which will allow you to skip lines outside at-capacity venues) are available. You can buy the tickets at VivaPHX.com and Ticketfly.com, and they can also be purchased in person at the Downtown Phoenix Inc. office and Stinkweeds.

Viva PHX is a production of Stateside Presents and New Times.

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Check out the full lineup below: