KRQQ radio personalities Johnjay and Rich are resurrecting Phooson, the multiact concert that was intended to bridge the gap between Phoenix and Tucson.
A bit of history: Johnjay and Rich held the first Phooson in Casa Grande in 2007, which was almost exactly midway between Tucson and Phoenix. The venue fulfilled the promise of celebrating the twin cities.
But the following year, Phooson moved to west Phoenix at the former Cricket Wireless Pavilion (now Ashley Furniture Homestore Pavilion) and the whole notion of a bi-city festival was pretty much a myth that continued in 2009, when Phooson was held in Tucson featuring 3OH3 and Justin Bieber. Last year, there was no festival.
This year's resurrected Phooson again returns to Phoenix, and it packs a lineup that's worth the drive. Here's why:
• Selena Gomez: Disney's "Wizards of Waverly Place" star has some formidable pop credentials. She and her two-year-old band, Selena Gomez & the Scene, have recorded three albums and sold nearly 2 million copies. Her singles include "Round and Round," "Who Says," "A Year Without Rain" and "Love You Like a Love Song."
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• Flo Rida: The Florida rapper is best known for his 2009 hit "Right Round." Other hits you might hear include "Good Feeling," "Sugar," "Jump."
• Cody Simpson: The 14-year-old Aussie pop star's first single "iYiYi" featured Flo Rida. Other singles include "Love So Strong," "On My Mind" and a remake of the Strangegloves' "I Want Candy." Fans started lining up at 4 a.m. when Simpson came to Golf N' Stuff at 6503 E. Tanque Verde Road in August as part of his free, coast-to-coast tour.
• Nicole Scherzinger: The former Pussycat Dolls lead singer is known more today for her reality TV stints, including winning the 2010 "Dancing With the Stars," and judging "The Sing-Off" in 2009 and the talent show "The X Factor" in the United States and the United Kingdom. Her solo singles include "Poison," "Don't Hold Your Breath" and "Right There."
• OneRepublic: These Colorado rockers first found fame on MySpace in the early 2000s but didn't break into the mainstream until they released their debut album in 2008. Hits include "Apologize," "Good Life," "Stop and Stare" and "Come Home."
• Karmin: The quirky newcomers Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan - who are engaged to be married - are best known for covering Chris Brown's "Look at Me Now" using an organ. Their original song "Take It Away" was used in promos for the 2011 NBA finals.
• Gym Class Heroes: This veteran hip-hop outfit brings everything from rock to funk to '80s pop into the mix. Expect to hear their most recent hit, "Stereo Hearts," alongside "Like Father, Like Son," "Clothes Off" and "Cupid's Chokehold."
If you go
• What: Johnjay and Rich Present Phooson.
• Featuring: Selena Gomez, Flo Rida, Cody Simpson, Nicole Scherzinger, OneRepublic, Karmin and Gym Class Heroes.
• When: 6:30 p.m. Friday.
• Where: US Airways Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix.
• Tickets: $15.25-$66 at www.ticketmaster.com
