Locals and students came together Saturday night to listen to a wide variety of bands perform along Congress Street and Fourth Avenue, while enjoying the perks of being 21 and older at the semiannual Club Crawl.
For a few hours of musical – and oftentimes drunken – bliss, Club Crawl offered the best and worst of a wide variety of local bands performing at 25 indoor and outdoor stages.
Much of the action was on Congress Street, and though there were a few decent but forgettable bands performing on outdoor stages and in bars, the standout of the evening was at the Rialto Theatre with Mucca Pazza, a Chicago-based marching band complete with cheerleaders.
With their mismatched marching band jackets and hats reminiscent of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club band, Mucca Pazza’s performance was epic but not of the traditional marching band variety. Aside from the occasional whistle or cheer, Mucca Pazza was almost entirely instrumental, with dozens of musicians onstage and dancing during the show.
While it may be impossible to catch every act at Club Crawl (especially with the pesky Fourth Avenue underpass construction blocking the path to the Fourth Avenue action), there were more than enough opportunities for Club Crawlers to get their fill of leather-clad singers and brooding guitarists while enjoying a beverage or two.
Jonathan Homan, a political and business junior, said he enjoys coming out to Club Crawl for the wide variety of local bands.
“”I think it’s a really good time,”” Homan said. “”I’ve gotten to experience Tucson on a totally different level.””
For some students, Club Crawl forces them to get out of their comfort zone and explore new nightlife.
“”I never come to Congress when I go to the bars,”” psychology senior Cara Chronis said. “”I always go to Fourth Avenue, but because of this I’ve come downtown.””