2025 Side Pony Music Festival

Bisbee, Arizona  - 2025 Side Pony Express Music Festival

I am once again off for a weekend trip to what has become  an annual event for me, the Side Pony Express Music festival in Bisbee, Arizona.  I sometimes fail to see the attraction once here, it's a bit chaotic as I don’t know the bands and I don’t even like many of them, but most are sort of outlaw oriented or just weird and I do like that.  I am actually repulsed by bands  that are too polished and professional.  

As the years go by, this festival has grown larger and more organized with 100 + participants this year. However, it is still a free event that helps the local Bisbee economy. This year they have a website with venue list, performer list and links to performers websites.  It’s really quite well done and helps to plan your time, you can the site at sideponyexpress.com

I arrived on the morning of November 8th and wandered around between venues into the late nights hours, then repeated it on November 9th.  As I’m in my stealth van, I park and sleep overnight on the street.  I have to say that in spite of the large crowds, the heavy drinking and other substance abuse and lack of security, I saw no issues anywhere.

Every year I seem to take the same photos over and over, I’m trying to limit that this year, but things do change from year to year.  It’s mostly about seeing the performers for me and in most situations I take only short iPhone videos, real camera shots are hard, it's always dark lighting, lack of focus and blocked views.  As this blog site limits video length, I can’t display much but I’ve attached a few of my favorites. I have added band names where I could, some are questionable.

Always a great view in Bisbee

Healthy options in a nice patio with hard rock on the rooftop

There is actually construction going on behind the tin barrier

Every year it changes usually for the worse !

Carlos Arzate & the Ghost Notes

Suntex Band from Portland. OR

Suntex Band

Lead localist with a great voice but hard to watch 

Honey Marie Knight Band

Ancient Egypt brings a pleasant weird vibe

He was a real street player with meaningful lyrics

Stairways are everywhere in Bisbee

Old Chevy truck in front of St Elmo's with matching pony

Great art on a stairway

Pretty cool rig with a handicap sticker and a great parking brake

          The Greta mobile is a regular at every Side Pony event

Interesting book store exhibit

I love this place

Gene's Place has a funky vibe

Honey Marie Knight Band 

Plum Band

This could be fun ?

I like interesting photo angles work

I am Hologram is full of energy

Interesting rustic interior of the Warner Hotel 

Mariachi Pueblo Viejo

That's it for this year, hope to be back in 2026.