Music Icon Matt Pinfield Keynote Speaker at Mesa Music Festival

Music Icon Matt Pinfield Keynote Speaker at Mesa Music Festival

Music journalist, television personality and longtime alternative-music advocate Matt Pinfield will be the keynote speaker for the first night of the 8th Annual Mesa Music Festival taking place Oct. 15 - 17 in downtown Mesa.

Known for his extensive knowledge of music and his interviews with some of the biggest names in rock and alternative music, Pinfield has spent decades documenting and celebrating the artists, songs and stories that have shaped popular culture. He is perhaps best known for his work as the host of MTV's 120 Minutes, as well as his work as Vice President of A & R and Artist Development for Columbia Records, radio personality and interviewer.

During the event, Pinfield will discuss his career and share stories from his years in the music industry. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear firsthand stories from his decades-long career and learn more about the people and moments that helped shape the music industry.

Two other music industry veterans will precede Pinfield as featured speakers. Tyson Ritter is lead singer, bassist and lyricist of the multi-platinum rock band All-American Rejects The band became one of the defining rock acts of the 2000s with more than 12 million albums sold worldwide and hits including "Dirty Little Secret," "Move Along" and "Gives You Hell."

Today, Ritter is the co-founder of PlayHouse.band, an artist-first platform bringing live music into intimate, unconventional spaces. Born from The All-American Rejects' viral house party tour, PlayHouse lets artists connect directly with fans and opens new doors for brand partnerships, experiential marketing and original content, building a more direct, sustainable future for live music.

Gardner Cole will be the opening keynote speaker. The songwriter, music producer and keyboard player is best known as the songwriter of 1980s and early 1990s tunes for Cher, Madonna, Tina Turner, Michael Macdonald and Jody Watley. He was the number two songwriter in 1088, according to Billboard Magazine, with six Billboard charting singles.

Cole has performed with various bands including as drummer with the English group ABC and as keyboardist with the Norwegian group a-ha, best known for the hit single "Take On Me." As a producer, he has recorded over 350 songs for major labels such as Capitol, A&M, Warner Brothers and Motown.

The free event is open to the public and will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Mesa Arts Center Piper Theater, 1 E. Main St. Seating is first-come, first-served. Gardner Cole is scheduled to speak at 6:30 p.m., Tyson Ritter is scheduled to speak at 7:30 p.m. and Matt Pinfield will deliver the keynote speech at 8:30 p.m. The scheduled times are subject to change.

For more information about the Mesa Music Festival, including featured guests and band lineups, go to mesamusicfest.com.