PHOENIX — For enthusiasts of musical theatre, the name Sarah Brightman is iconic—and for good reason. A true legend, she began her career as an incredibly influential stage actress before transitioning to a highly successful classical crossover singer—just one of many remarkable stories about her. Brightman was married to composer and impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber, who – when adapting The Phantom of the Opera – wrote the part of Christine specifically for her. She also harbors a deep affection for the Christmas season, thus the “A Christmas Symphony” tour was conceived. And on a slightly chilly evening, this awe-inspiring production was bestowed upon a Phoenix audience at Arizona Financial Theatre.
The stage was bathed in soft blue light as the orchestra settled into their positions, soon joined by a 16-member choir. Just after 7:30 p.m., the concertmaster – also known as the violin first chair – raised his bow, signaling to the conductor that they were ready. The conductor gave a flourish with his baton, and the show commenced. The evening opened with a Nutcracker classic, “Act 2 Divertissement / Trepak / Russian Dance”. As the final notes played, Brightman made her grand entrance.
Adorned with a crown reminiscent of Lady Liberty and a dazzling silver gown, she commanded the audience’s attention. Her glittering dress caught and refracted the erupting stage lights, casting radiant beams into the audience. Smiling warmly, Brightman began with a breathtaking rendition of “Ave Maria,” setting the tone for the evening. When the song faded and the first of many enthusiastic bursts of applause subsided, she greeted the crowd.
With an air of utmost elegance and a voice of silky, unwavering propriety, she shared her love for Christmas and revealed that the evening would feature special guests. She then launched into “O Holy Night,” a poignant rendition that showcased her unparalleled vocal ability. Local child prodigy Markus Amdam Bang then joined Brightman for the angelic “Walking in the Air”.
Brightman’s voice must be experienced to be fully appreciated; as she has the ability to transport the listener to faraway lands and evoke memories of bygone Christmases, warm fires, and cherished stories told by generations now gone. Her voice resonates deeply, moving the most stoic hearts, and bringing childhood back to the old and infirm. Stripped of all artifice, her voice reveals a pure and transcendent beauty.
The concert was expertly curated, weaving traditional Christmas with selections from Brightman’s discography, such as “Follow Me” from her Hymn album, and a luminous cover of ABBA’s “Arrival”. She was also joined by Jay Dref, who performed on several songs, including “Carol of the Bells” and a spectacular version of “The Phantom of the Opera.”
The evening also featured covers of additional artists, such as “Colder Than Winter” by the current backing and occasional lead vocalist of the Eagles, Vince Gill, and Linda Ronstadt’s “Winter Light”. As the show neared its inevitable conclusion, Brightman saved the best for last. Following the powerful “Phantom”, she sang her timeless hit “Time to Say Goodbye,” often performed with Andrea Bocelli, earning her a standing ovation. Her incomparable version of “Amazing Grace” enveloped the audience with wonder, sending chills and awakening deep emotion—bringing a tear to the eye of the greatest cynic.
For the finale, Brightman chose John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” a song of protest – of both the Vietnam War and of the song “White Christmas”. After expressing her heartfelt gratitude, she bid the audience farewell, leaving the stage to yet another standing ovation.
Chandler, AZ — On an unseasonably warm mid-October evening, Aesthetic Perfection brought their signature blend of dark electronic and industrial sounds to the Wild Horse Pass Festival Grounds. Aesthetic Perfection is celebrated for their intense performances and thought-provoking lyrics, and on this summery evening, the band delivered an unforgettable performance while opening for Twin Temple and Till Lindemann.
Founded by Daniel Graves – who is still the lead vocalist nearly 25 years after the band first came into existence – Aesthetic Perfection has a contagious energy. Graves noted several times that they weren’t very well-known, but that mattered very little to the audience. After all, what is there not to like? Graves is indomitable onstage, a whirlwind of sound and fury, mixing his nearly non-stop movements and animated expressions with a voice that switched between a vocal-fried metal growl and smooth as butter – something one would expect to hear in a Top 40 song from back when Casey Kasem was hosting the show.
Graves was joined onstage by NOIZITH who switched between the guitar and keyboard throughout the night. NOIZITH was known as PYRCE until recently, and before that, Julia Pierce from the band Cherri Bomb. NOIZITH is an incredibly talented artist, moving from rock to being a DJ and then stepping in to play with Aesthetic Perfection. Playing a sleek black Schecter guitar, NOIZITH made the remarkable look almost routine. Pacing from side to side, posing occasionally, and doing some dancing while shredding, it would be hard to picture another artist who could play off of Graves and his energy any better.
Rounding out the band was drummer Brooke Colucci, known better as “Rock Angel” to many fans who followed her on social media as she went from a 15-year-old phenom to a touring drummer at only 21. Formerly the drummer for the band Plush, Colucci made a name for herself with her drum cover of Tool’s “46 & 2” on YouTube. Colucci was the only one of the trio to stay stationary, in no small part due to the difficulty of moving a drum kit around the stage.
The seven song setlist included a new single “Into the Void,” from the 3 song Bad Vibes EP. Casual goth/industrial music fans may note there is an undeniable Nine Inch Nails influence in the song – with perhaps some Marilyn Manson mixed in there for some good measure. They would be right, as the song was mixed by Sean Beaven, who mixed the aforementioned artists as well.
Graves also made sure to mention the heat – which has stuck around, refusing to leave, much like the first clingy middle school boyfriend who just doesn’t get the damn hint – you know the one. He noted how little it bothered him, as he is a goth who grew up in the deserts of Southern California. This, of course, was tied to the song “Summer Goth,” which has an unexpected yet very welcomed reggae feel to it until you get halfway through and the breakdown reminds you that you are, indeed, at an Aesthetic Perfection show. The song’s vibes felt especially appropriate for the atmosphere of the outdoor concert.
The final songs of the short setlist included “Gods & Gold,” “S E X,” “TOXIC,” “Rhythm + Control,” and “Love Like Lies.”
Aesthetic Perfection “Fall Goth Tour 2024” dates
Aesthetic Perfection may not exactly be a household name for the casual music lover, and this is unfortunate. If you see them on the bill, make sure to check when they’re hitting the stage, get there a bit early, and be prepared for a sonic delight. Graves, NOIZITH, and Colucci are dark, charming characters, and they will absolutely win you over by the end of the show, even if you have never heard of them. This was the case this evening, with the audience eagerly raising their hands into the air at the behest of Graves, gladly posing for a photo behind the band before their set’s finale.
PHOENIX — Halestorm and I Prevail brought their co-headlining tour to Arizona Financial Theatre last Friday night, delivering a night of unforgettable performances. With Halestorm taking the final slot this evening, the packed crowd was treated to a high-energy show. Hollywood Undead and Fit for a King added their own powerful sets to the lineup, making the night a standout for rock and metal fans.
Fit for a King
The mindblowing evening started with the American metalcore band from Tyler, Texas, Fit for a King (FFAK). The band members—Ryan Kirby (vocals), Bobby Lynge and Daniel Gailey (guitars), Ryan “Tuck” O’Leary (bass), and Trey Celaya (drums)—have been melting faces since 2007. They played a blistering eight-song set that fired up the crowd, even igniting a circle pit among the general admission audience in front of the stage.
Up next was the American rap rock band, Hollywood Undead, formed in 2005 in sunny Los Angeles, California. The current lineup includes Jorel “J-Dog” Decker (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Dylan “Funny Man” Alvarez (vocals), George “Johnny 3 Tears” Ragan (vocals, bass), Jordon “Charlie Scene” Terrell (vocals, guitar), Danny Murillo (vocals, keyboards, guitar), and finally, Matt “The Cat” Oloffson (drums).
They recreated the “Cali” vibe with four light-up palm trees on stage, two trash fire barrels, and a cardboard sign hanging from the keyboard with “Hotel Kalifornia” handwritten on it. Hotel Kalifornia is their most recent album, released in August of 2022.
Hollywood Undead’s twelve-song set kicked off with “California Dreaming,” and by the third song, the fully-engaged crowd headbanged to “Riot” with contagious energy spreading like wildfire. The band threw beach balls into the crowd, which bounced above the audience as they rocked out. Right before starting the song, “Comin’ In Hot,” they brought up an eleven-year-old girl from the audience to jam on stage with them. Concertgoers sang and danced along to their cover of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” and Hollywood Undead wrapped up their set with “Bullet” and “Undead.”
I Prevail
The third band to take the stage was I Prevail, a rock band from Southfield, Michigan. The current band members are Brian Burkheiser (clean vocals), Eric Vanlerberghe (unclean and clean vocals), Steve Menoian (lead guitar), Dylan Bowman (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Gabe Helguera (drums), and Jon Eberhard (bass, keyboards).
They rose in popularity in 2013 after releasing a metal cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” on YouTube. Since then, they have released three studio albums, with their single “Bow Down” earning a Grammy nomination for “Best Metal Performance” in 2019, and their album Trauma receiving one for “Best Rock Album” that same year.
When they took the stage, the venue shook—like literally shook. It made eardrums buzz, hearts race, and it knocked old confetti from past concerts down from the rafters to gently fall onto the crowd below.
I Prevail started with a video of an anonymous speaker talking about fear before starting “There’s Fear in Letting Go.” Vanlerberghe told the crowd that it’s been ten years since the band dropped their cover of Swift’s song, and they hate singing it, but they added it to the setlist for the fans. Everyone cheered and threw up their horns.
Before playing “Breaking Down,” Vanlerberghe got personal with the audience, talking about how he is doing well in therapy and to talk to someone if you need to. That mental health is important. I Prevail gave the crowd everything they had, just as they promised.
Halestorm
Wrapping up the heavy metal night was Halestorm, the American rock band from Red Lion, Pennsylvania, formed in 1997 by lead vocalist and guitarist Lzzy Hale and her brother, drummer Arejay Hale. Other members include Joe Hottinger as guitarist and Josh Smith as bassist.
Grammy-Award winning Halestorm introduced their set with Lzzy singing an a capella “Raise Your Horns” before launching into “I Miss the Misery.” She shows no reserve for showcasing her unparalleled vocals, with an almost-menacing, growling belt prominently featured from start to finish. She figuratively blew the roof off the venue, jaws dropping, during the “I Get Off” interlude of Heart’s “Crazy On You.”
Lzzy addressed the crowd: “It’s for all the letters that you’ve given me, all of the love online, you guys just standing out here singing every word. I can’t believe it, man, I can’t believe it. It blows my mind. So, this one is for all of you tonight, this is called, ‘Familiar Taste of Poison’”. They played the long-beloved song from their first album, self-titled Halestorm.
Also in support of mental health, Halestorm has teamed up with the mental health organization Sound Mind Live to encourage fans to pledge their support, helping to fund free mental health programs that will be available to communities across the country.
The band members’ percussive skills were on display as they played a taiko-style mid-set drum ensemble. Lzzy’s in-your-face stage presence admirably dominated throughout the night, and she delighted with moves such as a backbend contorting her body down to the floor as she shredded on her guitar.
Vanlerberghe rejoined the stage to sing the duet of “can u see me in the dark?” with Lzzy. Halestorm wrapped up the night with “Mz. Hyde” and “The Steeple.” Fans were left with ringing ears and giant smiles as all departed the venue into the blazing Phoenix night.
In an era where the encroaching presence of AI threatens to overshadow human creativity, encountering a live performance that seamlessly blends storytelling with musical prowess feels like a breath of fresh air. Such was the experience at Valley Bar, where best friends Victoria Canal and Lucy Clearwater embarked on a joint tour, reminding audiences of the profound connection that human creativity fosters. Valley Bar, nestled beneath a building slowly transforming into the Cornish Pasty, sits at the corner of Monroe St and Central Ave, providing an intimate setting for the evening’s festivities. Clearwater kicked off the show, later smoothly transitioning into Canal’s performance as a member of her band.
Lucy Clearwater
Clearwater assumed the spotlight, strumming her acoustic guitar; later, she would accompany Canal on guitar, as well as showcase her skill on the violin. Clearwater’s multifaceted talent is evident; while many turned to baking sourdough or online tutorials during recent times, she delved into learning German, becoming not only fluent but also a singer in the language with her EP Augenlieder. With her upcoming EP April on the horizon, Clearwater captivated the audience with her ability to evoke nostalgia for experiences yet to unfold, effortlessly blending voice, lyrics, and anecdotes.
Clearwater is exceptionally talented: while the rest of the world learned how to bake sourdough or used YouTube tutorials to learn how to knit during the COVID-19 pandemic, she delved into learning German, becoming not only an excellent speaker, but also a singer in the language with her EP Augenlieder. Perhaps she was inspired by Canal, who although Spanish-American, was born in Munich, Germany. Clearwater is a California native who can claim something almost no one else in the world can: she was born in a cookie factory in Northern California, according to the bio on her website.
With her upcoming EP April on the horizon, Clearwater captivated the audience with her ability to evoke nostalgia for experiences yet to unfold, effortlessly blending voice, lyrics, and anecdotes. At one point, she asked if the audience was ready to go on an emotional rollercoaster with her, immediately apologizing as she recognized she had already started it before performing the first “angry song” she had ever written, “Reconciliation,” which is about her grandfather.
This show marked the eve of the release of “When You’re Down” as a single, set to debut the following day – March 29, 2024. The song served as a poignant response to the heartfelt tribute Canal had penned for her in “Chamomile”. Clearwater’s endearing vulnerability was palpable when she briefly stumbled over the lyrics of “When You’re Down,” only to be swiftly rescued by Canal from the side-stage. As she concluded her performance, Clearwater sealed the moment with a tender gesture, blowing a kiss to Canal, thereby emphasizing the profound bond they share.
A masterful storyteller in her own right, Canal possesses a voice that effortlessly communicates the essence of life through her music. With Clearwater added to the stage, alongside bassist James Quinlan, a synergy ignites. Canal charmingly engages with the crowd, who bask in the warmth of their bond.
Canal is well connected, name dropping Coldplay’s Chris Martin – explaining that he challenged her to write a song at a songwriting camp before removing his shirt in front of her and finishing his laps. He has hailed her “Swan Song” as “one of the best songs ever written” and even collaborated with her on a duet rendition. She has also worked with plenty of other artists and songwriters, such as the legendary Kylie Minogue, Gavin DeGraw, and Adele, and has put out an impressive body of work already.
Despite being born with a limb difference, she defies limitations, impressively playing both piano and guitar. In an interview with Gay Times, Canal said, “My limb difference is the least interesting thing about me.” This sentiment was evident in every song she performed, as each was preceded by a heartfelt backstory, inviting the audience into her world with candid vulnerability. Through her narrative and music, she fearlessly delves into topics such as body dysmorphia, gay culture, and the journey of embracing her authentic self in her sexual identity.
Together, Canal and Clearwater exuded a synergy that elevated their performance to unparalleled heights. As they interwove their narratives and melodies, it became evident that their friendship was not only the foundation of their tour but also a driving force behind their creative expression. As the evening drew to a close, it was clear that in the face of technological advancements, it is the human spirit, embodied by artists like Canal and Clearwater, that continues to illuminate the path forward.
Last night on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, renowned musician, actor, and entertainer Justin Timberlake announced his first tour in 5 years with The Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
Produced by Live Nation, the first leg of his global outing will include 22-cities and kicks off on April 29 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC making stops across North America in Seattle, WA; Los Angeles, CA; Atlanta, GA; Miami, FL; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Boston, MA and more before wrapping up in Lexington, KY at Rupp Arena on July 9.
Additional dates including stops in Europe and the UK will be announced soon. See full ticketing and routing information below.
Fans can expect to hear songs from his forthcoming new album Everything I Thought It Was, his latest single “Selfish” out now, and everyone’s favorite hits. Written by Timberlake, Louis Bell (Taylor Swift, Post Malone), Cirkut (Maroon 5, The Weeknd), Theron Thomas, Amy Allen and produced by Timberlake, Louis Bell and Cirkut, “Selfish” is the first taste of solo music from Justin since his 2018 Man of the Woods record.
Justin’s sixth studio album Everything I Thought It Was is out March 15th. Pre-order HERE. This weekend, Timberlake will return to Saturday Night Live as musical guest, making the TV debut of his newly released single “Selfish”.
Justin Timberlake 2024 North American Tour Dates
Mon Apr 29 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Thu May 02 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Mon May 06 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center at San Jose
Fri May 10 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena*
Tue May 14 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena San Diego*
Fri May 17 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
Tue May 21 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
Wed May 29 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
Fri May 31 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
Tue Jun 04 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Thu Jun 06 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
Mon Jun 10 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Wed Jun 12 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena
Fri Jun 14 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
Sat Jun 15 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
Fri Jun 21 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Tue Jun 25 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Sat Jun 29 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Wed Jul 03 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
Thu Jul 04 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
Sun Jul 07 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse*
Tickets will be available starting with a fan club presale beginning on Monday, January 29. Existing Fan Club members will receive a unique code via email for access to purchase tickets. Additional presales including Verizon and Citi (details below) will run throughout the week. The general onsale begins Friday, February 2 at 10 am local time at JustinTimberlake.com.
TICKETS AVAILABLE WITH CITI AND VERIZON PRESALES STARTING TUESDAY, JANUARY 30
CITI PRESALE: Citi is the official card of the Forget Tomorrow World Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets for U.S. dates beginning Tuesday, January 30 at 10am local time until Thursday, February 1 at 5pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit citientertainment.com.
VERIZON PRESALE: Verizon will offer customers presale access for the Justin Timberlake Forget Tomorrow World Tour for applicable U.S dates through Verizon Up. Customers will have access to purchase presale tickets for select shows beginning Tuesday, January 30 at 10am local time to Thursday, February 1 at 5pm local time. For more details visit Verizon Up.
VIP:
The tour will also offer a variety of VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include tickets in the exclusive VIP Stage Bar section with in-seat service throughout the night, specially designed VIP gift item, early entrance into the venue & more. For additional information, visit vipnation.com
Australian indie-folk groundbreakers The Paper Kites make their way back to North America this February for the final leg of their tour in support of their latest acclaimed album, At The Roadhouse. The nearly sold-out headline tour starts on February 27th in Salt Lake City with stops in Denver, Phoenix, Pioneertown, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver,and more.Full list of dates below.
‘At The Roadhouse’ LP
Last fall, The Paper Kites set out on the first leg of their At The Roadhouse tour, selling out numerous dates, including Toronto’s 1,500-capacity Dan Forth Music Hall and Washington DC’s historic 1,200-capacity Howard Theatre, as well as their NYC, Austin, and Durham shows.
Watch the Band Perform “Till The Flame Turns Blue” LIVE
At The Roadhouse is the continuation of an odds-defying run for The Paper Kites that has seen them achieve accolades like a certified Platinum record in the US, over a billion streams and 8M monthly listeners on Spotify, and continuously-growing sold-out audiences across continents.
Removing themselves from the typical pageantry that accompanies accolades like that, the group found inspiration for this new album by relocating to the remote village of Campbells Creek – away from the pressures of daily life – where they joyfully filled The Roadhouse with music around the clock for weeks on end. While often creating new songs by day, performing them to a growing fan community at night, and recording right there the next morning – the resulting sixteen songs form a touching ode to what waits for us on the winding roads of love, loss, acceptance, and wanderlust.
Today, eight-time GRAMMY®-nominated diamond-certified icon Avril Lavigne announced her 2024 headline tour across North America, Avril Lavigne: The Greatest Hits. Produced by Live Nation, the 27-date tour will see Avril perform her biggest songs to-date including the RIAA 3x platinum-certified “Complicated,” the 2x platinum-certified “Sk8er Boi,” the 2x platinum-certified “Girlfriend,” the platinum-certified “Here’s To Never Growing Up,” and many more from her record-smashing catalog.
The Avril Lavigne: The Greatest Hits tour kicks off on Wednesday, May 22 in Vancouver, BC at Rogers Arena, with stops in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Toronto, Charlotte, Chicago and more before wrapping up on Monday, Sept 16 in Edmonton, AB at Rogers Place. All Time Low and Simple Plan will join Avril on select dates throughout the tour as special guests and direct support, with Royal & the Serpent and Girlfriends joining select dates as opening acts.
TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with an Artist presale beginning on Wednesday, January 24 at 10 AM local time. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning on Friday, January 26 at 10 AM local time at ticketmaster.com.
VIP: The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but may include premium tickets, invitation to the SK8ER BOI Hospitality Lounge, specially designed merch bundle, and more. For more information, visit vipnation.com.
Beyond selling 50 million albums worldwide with 12.5 million units sold in the U.S alone, Avril’s live performance prowess has been widely praised throughout her storied, two-decade career:
“EPIC.” – Alternative Press
“Avril Lavigne proved she is STILL POP PUNK’S PRINCESS” – Chicago Tribune
“After all of these years, Avril still has one of the BEST AND MOST VERSATILE VOICES IN THE INDUSTRY.” – Twin Cities Media
“ENERGETIC and… EMPOWERING FUN” – The Oakland Press
“DEAFENING SCREAMS FROM THE FANS in attendance greeting her Grammy-nominated hit, ‘Complicated.’ The overwhelming reaction and boisterous sing-a-long MADE IT SEEM LIKE THE SONG ARRIVED IN 2022, NOT 2002.” – Times-Columnist
“While it’s her hits that made Avril Lavigne pop-punk royalty, it’s the PRODUCTION OF HER SHOW that cements that status.” – The Upcoming
“It felt like Lavigne had never left. Her voice had new depth and power, but her performance was just as BOUNCY, ENERGETIC AND FUN as in the past…Fans seemed to connect with Lavigne from the show’s first notes and NEVER LET UP.” – RIFF Magazine
In addition to the North American Avril Lavigne: The Greatest Hits tour, Avril is gearing up for a run of UK and European performances this summer including festivals like Rock For People on June 14 in Hradec, Czechia; Nova Rock Festival on June 15 in Nickelsdorf, Austria; Pinkpop Festival on June 21 in Landgraaf, Netherlands; Hurricane Festival on June 22 in Schnee, Germany; and Madcool Festival on July 13 in Madrid, Spain; as well as two special UK headline shows at Cardiff Castle on July 2 and Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl on July 3. For more, visit https://avrillavigne.com/.
Avril Lavigne’s Greatest Hits Tour Dates
Wed May 22 — Vancouver, BC — Rogers Arena ^
Sat May 25 — Auburn, WA — White River Amphitheatre ^
Sun May 26 — Ridgefield, WA — RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater ^
Tue May 28 — Mountain View, CA — Shoreline Amphitheatre ^
Thu May 30 — Inglewood, CA — Kia Forum ^
Sat Jun 01 — Las Vegas, NV — MGM Grand Garden Arena ^
Sun Jun 02 — Phoenix, AZ — Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre ^
Wed Aug 14 — Ottawa, ON — Canadian Tire Centre +
Fri Aug 16 — Toronto, ON — Budweiser Stage +
Sat Aug 17 — Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC — Festival International de Montgolfières ~
Tue Aug 20 — Buffalo, NY — Darien Lake Amphitheater +
Wed Aug 21 — Hartford, CT — The XFINITY Theatre +
Fri Aug 23 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center +
Sat Aug 24 — Mansfield, MA — Xfinity Center +
Tue Aug 27 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater +
PHOENIX — On a late October evening in Downtown Phoenix, in a venue named for the street it sits next to – Van Buren – an audience gathered to witness an incredible night of musical diversity, and the final stop on the “Warrior Souls” tour. Three dynamic bands would take the stage this evening, bringing the desert night to life with powerful metal riffs and the pulsating rhythms from these unique bands: The HU, Blind Channel, and NERV. The HU is renowned for blending Mongolian tradition and metal, transporting the audience to far off horizons. Finnish nu metal band Blind Channel ignited the stage with incredibly kinetic music, and the hybrid genre band NERV left a lasting impression with their performance. It was an evening where boundaries were transcended, and as a result, the crowd was left craving more.
NERV bills itself as a genre-bending rock band, which is an apt description, as their music crosses boundaries between emo and metal, and some pop mixed in for good measure. Formed in 2016, the Sacramento, CA-based band is rather new to touring life, as they have only toured three times since forming. They released their first album We’re All Patients Here in October of 2022. However, while newer to the touring life and new to the majority of the audience, the band managed to do something that all openers dream of: win over an audience who has never had any exposure to them.
Lead vocalist Dillon Jones and guitarist and back-up vocalist Scott Buchanan took turns bantering with the audience, with Buchanan immediately gaining fans by wearing a Steve Nash Phoenix Suns jersey on-stage – unfortunately, the Suns would fall to the Lakers shortly after the NERV set ended – and both Jones and Buchanan made sure there was never a dull moment or awkward pauses during their set. Buchanan brought up the Arizona Diamondbacks’ improbable World Series run, which drew loud cheers. Jones also mentioned that singing karaoke until 2 in the morning was a really bad idea, apparently alluding to an incident earlier on the tour where the group had a little too much fun – if that’s even possible.
Buchanan and Jones are joined onstage by guitarist Jordan Grokett and drummer Tyler Clark, and the band put together a 30 minute set that was, in short, extremely enjoyable, and left many hoping for more from the group. Jones has vocals that switch from a buttery-smooth emo style to a gritty sound that would fit in well with Breaking Benjamin, as well as other giants of metal. There is a bright future for this band, and if spotted on a bill as an opener, it is well-worth your time to show up early. You will not be disappointed.
Up next was Blind Channel, a Finnish nu metal band that formed in 2013, and represented Finland in the 2021 Eurovision contest. They would finish in sixth place in the competition with their song “Dark Side.” The organizers of the Eurovision contest asked the band not to flip the audience off – something that did happen during this show, with both the audience and the band playfully flipping each other off – as the Eurovision contest is a family friendly show, so to get around this, the band painted their middle fingers red.
The show started off with “Happy Doomsday,” sung to the tune of “Happy Birthday,” with the band wasting absolutely no time in cranking the energy all the way up to 11 as soon as they started the show off. The band was heavily influenced by Linkin Park, and watching co-vocalists Joel Hokka and Niko Moilanen sing using screams that would have made Chester Bennington proud, it becomes very apparent just how influential Bennington and Mike Shinoda were.
In fact, “Scream” from their 2018 album Blood Brothers was dedicated to Bennington following his tragic passing. The lyrics make it very clear just how much they admired Bennington: “My hero, where did you go?/You still echo deep inside my bones…You gave a choice to those who wanted to bleed/You gave a voice to those who wanted to scream.” The band also did a cover of “Numb” on video, but the song was never released as a standalone.
Hokka and Moilanen are joined onstage by guitarist Joonas Porko, bassist Olli Matela, drummer Tommi Lalli, and DJ/percussionist Aleksi Kaunisvesi.
The band expressed gratitude for being in town, for being on the tour, and made sure to inform everyone where they came from. The band is known in the EU, but had not made a name for themselves stateside. They call themselves the “Backstreet Boys of the metal scene,” and in fact ended their show with a short singalong to the song “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” which may have been a bit confusing to anyone who is unfamiliar with the band and unaware of their nickname. There is a bit of a boy band element with the group, so it does fit, but they are far more than a boy band.
Blind Channel, like NERV, should be a must-see when spotted on a bill. The blast of pure energy and fun that comes from this group had a profound effect in bringing up the energy level of the crowd. You could not help but have a great time with these guys. The stage presence, the interactions, the ability to get the entire room to do what they asked with absolutely no hesitation (at one point asking the entire audience to crouch way down until given the word to go back to normal), were remarkable. It is just genuinely fun music with a band that is very good at what they do.
To say the crowd was buzzing, ready for The HU would be a bit of an understatement. The HU (which translates to the Mongolian root word for “Human being”) burst onto the scene in 2016 and has grown steadily in popularity ever since.
They are unique in that they only sing in Mongolian, including their Metallica covers, which are arguably significantly better than the originals due to the depth of sound that the traditional instruments provide, as well as the throat singing that provides a unique sound that builds on the growl of James Hetfield. Part of this success comes due to their extensive touring, including quite a few tours throughout the US. They are relatively frequent visitors to Arizona – frequent, that is, for a band that is based in a country half a world away from the Sonoran Desert. The band visited twice in 2022, once this year, and will undoubtedly be back many more times.
The band expands on tour, from the four core members up to a total of eight, which allows them to bring their immense depth of sound to life. The band uses traditional Mongolian instruments and Tuvan throat singing, or Khöömei, as well as the more modern electric guitar and electric bass.
Galbadrakh “Gala” Tsendbaatar, the lead vocalist and one of the throat singers, who also plays the morin khuur. This instrument is known as the national instrument of Mongolia and is sometimes called a horsehead fiddle.
Nyamjantsan “Jaya” Galsanjamts, another throat singer, who plays the tsuur, an important instrument in Mongolian music culture, as well as the tumur hhuur, which is similar to a jaw harp in the US.
Enkhsaikhan “Enkush” Batjargal, who is also a throat singer and plays the morin khuur.
Temuulen “Temka” Naranbaatar, responsible for backing vocals and playing the tovshuur. The tovshuur is a handmade instrument with two or three strings and may resemble a guitar at first glance.
The four touring members include:
Unumunkh “Ono” Maralkhuu, who plays percussion, tumur hhuur, and provides backing vocals.
Jambaldorj “Jamba” Ayush, the guitarist and backing vocalist.
Nyamdavaa “Davaa” Byambaa, the bassist and backing vocalist.
Odbayar “Odko” Gantumur, the drummer.
The HU played a 15-song set, drawing mostly from their 2022 album Rumble of Thunder, including “Black Thunder,” “This is Mongol,” and “YUT Hövende,” which they dedicated to the indigenous people around the world, but especially to those affected by the Maui wildfire.
The lyrics of their songs are often about war and the old ways, with references to war in the song “Wolf Totem.” The wolf is a sacred symbol in Mongolia, with the Mongols considering them the messengers of heaven, and folklore holds that the great Chinggis Khaan – known to the west as Genghis Khan – came from a union between a wolf and an elk. As such, the song sounds like a war chant, one that would strike extreme fear into the hearts of any unfortunate foe who happened to hear it coming over the horizon, while simultaneously giving the army the ability to run through walls for their leader.
Throat singing was banned during much of the 20th century by the communist regimes that held the areas that the Mongolians call home due to the fact it was considered “backwards,” and the desire to eliminate all traditions and rituals from a culture before being forcibly assimilated by every communist regime in history. This changed in the 80s, and there has been an explosion of throat singers since the ban was lifted, allowing the general public to once again take part in their traditions.
There is another layer to the greatness that is The HU: The music videos are absolutely gorgeous, showing off the beauty of the Mongolian steppes, telling an incredible visual and audio story. Each music video, each song leaves you wanting more.
The same can be said about the shows: they are loud, they are fun, and if you are a fan of metal, you will absolutely have an amazing experience. The show ended with a cover of Metallica’s “Sad But True,” the only song in the encore, and the perfect end to an incredible show.
The HU and NERV have not yet announced new tour dates, but Blind Channel will spend much of spring 2024 touring Europe. While there are no current tours or local shows announced, it is well worth your while to listen to the catalogs and music videos from these extraordinary bands.
Photo Gallery
Photographer: Rodrigo Izquierdo
The HU, Blind Channel, & NERV – The Van Buren 10-23-26
PHOENIX — On a mild mid-October evening, with the first signs of fall evident throughout town – as seen in the changing colors of license plates, and the exchange of the brutal dry heat for a slightly less intense dry warmth – a crowd assembled at Arizona Financial Theatre in downtown Phoenix. Next to fine examples of how architecture should not look (brutalist architecture is the unsalted saltine cracker of the construction world) sits the theater. The crowd gathered here this evening had braved the traffic and lack of downtown parking to bear witness to a metal show like no other: Dethklok and BABYMETAL teaming up as co-headliners on the “Babyklok” tour, with Jason Richardson opening the show up. Dethklok – a fictional band that is surprisingly very real – was touring in support of their newest album, Dethalbum IV, and the new movie Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar. BABYMETAL was touring in support of the latest album The Other One, released earlier this year.
Jason Richardson
Jason Richardson took the stage first. Richardson first broke into the music industry at 17, when he took over for Chris Storey in All Shall Perish in 2009. Since then, he has played in Born of Osiris, Chelsea Grin, and currently plays in All That Remains, filling the massive hole left when Oli Herbert mysteriously and tragically passed away in 2018. He has toured as a solo act, and puts on an absolute masterpiece of a solo show. He played for around half an hour, playing a total of 7 songs, including “Tendinitis” and “Ishimura”.
The history of BABYMETAL is an interesting look into the culture and entertainment of Japan. Formed in 2010 with then-13-year-old Suzuka Nakamoto (stage name Su-metal) as the lead singer, 11-year-old Moa Kikuchi (stage name Moametal), and 11-year-old Yui Mizuno (stage name Yuimetal), the group was a subunit of a group named Sakura Gakuin. Yuimetal left in 2018 due to an illness, and was replaced in 2023 by one of their back-up dancers, Momoko Okazaki (known as Momometal). The idea was to fuse the Japanese idol genres with heavy metal, with the result being a new type of metal called “kawaii metal”. There is a very strong J-pop sound to the vocals, layered over thunderous, earth-shaking metal music.
This is combined with choreography that has near military-like precision, with the trio seldom, if ever, being out of sync. The show is equal parts entertaining and organized chaos, and BABYMETAL fans enjoy every second of it.
The chaos began at exactly 8 p.m., with the words “BABYMETAL WORLD TOUR 2023” coming up on the massive screen behind the band. The introduction drew inspiration from Star Wars, with the opening lines being ‘A long time ago in a heavy metal galaxy far, far away,’ followed by a tale of how the FOX GOD chose the heavy metal spirits to make up the band. At the conclusion, the band erupted into a riff that would make Rammstein proud. Even with the band attempting to rearrange the molecules of the audience members with a sustained sonic blast, the cheers from the crowd could still be heard.
BABYMETAL has released 4 albums over the years, starting with 2014’s BABYMETAL, 2016 saw the release ofMetal Resistance, 2019 brought Metal Galaxy and earlier this year the band released The Other One. They leaned heavily on BABYMETAL, opening the show up with “BABYMETAL DEATH”, and following that up with “Gimme Chocolate!!”.
Su-metal and the band said little beyond greeting the audience and giving instructions that were eagerly followed, such as having the crowd turn their phone lights on, getting low (which, in most cases, simply meant taking a seat before jumping back up), and a couple of other actions. While little was said, it is clear that the band has mastered the art of stage presence and crowd interaction. It should also be noted that unlike many recent metal concerts, there was a circle pit from the jump at this show. Watching the dynamics of said pit when the screen showed an overhead view of the audience was also an interesting study. Watching fully grown men slam into each other at full speed while listening to kawaii metal is not something I thought I would write about.
Dethklok answers the question, “What would happen if Weird Al were a metalhead who decided to write NSFW lyrics?” The answer is a bizarre and yet utterly enjoyable hour-long show. The birth of Dethklok came in 2006, when Metalocalypse premiered on Adult swim. The fictional band would soon release a very real album – The Dethalbum – in 2007, which shot to number 21 on the Billboard top 200 list. Lead singer and founder Brendon Small played all the instruments from 2006 until he was joined in 2007 by Gene Hoglan, one of the greatest metal drummers to ever grace the stage.
While the premise may seem a bit odd to an outsider, don’t be fooled. It is pure, silly, and rather metal fun. The show begins with the band members walking to their positions in backlit darkness. Then, the screen behind them plays scenes from the Metalocalypse TV show, including scenes from the full-length movie Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar, which was released on August 22nd of this year, while the real-life band performs. If you are not familiar with the show, it can be summed up as an over the top world where the fictional band accidently murders thousands of people with every show, and is also a massive economic powerhouse, but they can’t buy groceries or cook a meal due to their incompetence.
None of that previous sentence is made up, and the over the top moments mixed with the over the top songs attracted a die-hard following that happened to have quite a crossover into the BABYMETAL fanbase. This should be no surprise, as both bands produce some face-meltingly amazing metal, with a twist.
Oh, and Facebones, an animated skull featured in concerts and the TV show, serves as a well-intentioned character, often tasked with providing guidance and explanations, but invariably finds himself unable to convey valuable information before things inevitably go completely off the rails. He makes a couple of appearances, reminding the audience about concert etiquette, such as the importance of not indulging in excessive pot smoking, as no one wishes to take on the role of caretaker.
It gets very weird very quickly, but that seems to be par for the course considering one of the song names is “I Ejaculate Fire,” with an incredibly bizarre music video that redefines the idea of how destructive an STD can truly be.
Your aunt is likely to pray for your immortal soul upon discovering your attendance at a Dethklok concert. You might feel a tad confused and uncomfortable, but the music is undeniably absurd in the best possible way, with a real-life band producing some of the finest metal sounds you’ll ever encounter. Just don’t pay too much attention to the lyrics, or you might realize you’ve been headbanging to a coffee jingle. Not that anyone could fault you; “Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle” is undeniably a banger that leaves you uncertain about whether to charge through a wall to get some coffee or flee, especially since the video playing behind the band strongly suggests the brand has mistaken “waking up” for “burning alive in a pool of superheated coffee.”
The Babyklok tour ended on October 12 in the Los Angeles area, and while BABYMETAL will continue on with another touring partner in Europe, fans will have to wait for Dethklok to announce their next steps. It is, after all, a concept band that just released a film to conclude the Metalocalypse era and has wrapped up their first tour in 11 years. The fandom can only hope to see another tour or two, but if there are no more, it would be difficult to argue against the idea that they truly exited stage left on a high note.
Tempe, AZ — The Darkness returned to Arizona for a triumphant show as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album Permission to Land, and the special reissue collection that was released the day prior to the show: Permission to Land…Again. They last graced the Marquee Theatre stage in March of 2022 on their “Motorheart” tour. This October 2023 show was the 4th date of the US leg of the world tour celebrating their debut, and they played a setlist full of their biggest hits from that album and beyond. The Comancheros, a country/southern rock band from Missouri, opened the show with an infectious energy that warmed up the crowd for the high-octane headliner.
They began with their powerful song “Mississippi”, which electrified the room, and they followed up with a string of other hits, including “Long Hair”.
The band asked the audience if there were any beer drinkers and hellraisers in AZ while holding beer cans up in the air, then drank it up and kicked into their song titled “Beer Drinkers”.
They continuously engaged with the audience throughout their set and completed it with the songs “We Own the Night,” “George Jones,” “Cowboy Song,” “Drum/Gun/Chariot,” “Shoot Me Down,” and “Bird/Time Machine”.
On October 2nd, just five days before this show, The Darkness announced the launch date of their feature-length documentary, Welcome to the Darkness, that adds to their extensive discography with seven studio albums since their start in the early 2000’s. The film will arrive in cinemas for one night only on November 9th, and will then be available on Blu-Ray and digital download on December 4th.
The Darkness kicked off their set with a high-powered rendition of “Black Shuck.” Fans were immediately singing along and dancing fervently. The band followed that up with a string of their biggest hits, including “Get Your Hands Off My Woman,” “Growing on Me,” and “The Best of Me.”
Lead singer Justin Hawkins was in top form, delivering his vocals with power and precision. He showered the audience with guitar picks, ensuring the youngest fans got their concert memento by stretching and throwing as far as he could to get closer to them from the stage.
He had the crowd in the palm of his hand with his witty banter and stage presence. Guitarist Dan Hawkins, bassist Frankie Poullain, and drummer Rufus Taylor were also on fire, playing with some truly impressive musicianship.
During their performance, the engagement with the audience was ongoing, including a sing-a-long with a member of the audience, also named Justin (with Hawkins grinning after the audience member shared his name). The frontman also saw a group of 4 British fans in attendance, all dressed up in Union Jack patterned suits, with their companion in a full American flag outfit, wearing a bald eagle head mask that got thrown onto the stage. The drummer put it on and wore it while playing an entire song, before throwing it back to the audience member that threw it to the stage.
They closed out their set with a rousing performance of their signature song, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”. The crowd went wild, with smartphones raised from almost everyone in attendance, prompting Justin Hawkins to stop and playfully ask the audience to ‘place themselves in their place, and to not record the performance’ before starting back up and, delighting the audience with a fantastic show, giving it his all.
For their encore, they emotionally played “I Love You 5 Times” before the vocalist announced they had one song remaining, and with a mischievous grin stating, “but is a pretty f***ing long song.” The Darkness closed the set with “Love on the Rocks with No Ice”. The shower of guitar picks continued as the band did their goodbyes, with no pick left behind.
Overall, The Darkness put on an incredible show at Marquee Theatre. They played a setlist full of their biggest hits and deepest cuts, and they delivered a performance that was both energetic and entertaining. If you have the chance to see them on this tour, you will be lucky to witness one of the best live bands in the world, with (at the time of publication of this article) just 9 more dates left for the US leg, and 36 upcoming world tour dates before coming back to the US in 2024 for the Monsters of Rock cruise festival in Miami, Florida.
If you’re a fan of rock music, then you need to see The Darkness live, and they’re sure to put on a show that you’ll never forget. Make sure to catch a screening of their feature documentary on November 9th, or look for it on Blu-Ray on on its December 4th release date.
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