2/23/2013 Mark McGrath & Sugar Ray, P83 Street Party, Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria, AZ


 8 years ago today...

February 23, 2013 - Peoria, AZ

Spring breakers and West Valley locals flashed back to the 90s when Mark McGrath & Sugar Ray brought their SoCal vibe to the P83 Street Party outside Peoria Sports Complex.

Sugar Ray had a few radio-friendly pop hits that charted in the late 90s including "Fly," "Every Morning" and "Someday."  Lead singer and front man Mark McGrath spun off the band's popularity to land some TV gigs as a personality on Extra and cable TV game shows and reality series.

I was the stage announcer for this street festival performance, held on 83rd Avenue outside Peoria Sports Complex, spring training home to the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres.  P83 was the city's attempt to brand the area as its sports and entertainment district for economic development.

Before the show, McGrath told us that the band's popularity and income potential was higher now than when the group had Top 10 hits in the 90s.  Now 52 years old in 2013, McGrath had produced nostalgia tours of what he called "more than two hits" bands from the era like Gin Blossoms, Everclear, Smash Mouth, Spin Doctors and Lit titled "Under the Sun" and "Summerland."  He said these tours were a cash-cow package for casinos, festivals, fairs and cruise ships.  McGrath was as surprised as anyone as to the renewed interest in these acts, 15 to 20 years past their prime.

Sugar Ray took a group photo with the promoter/production team and gave me the show set list.




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