“I’m glad I didn’t skip Las Vegas.” The fans became a family at Role Model’s first show in Vegas at the House of Blues.

On Friday, October 7th through Sunday, October 9th, fans gathered at Phoenix, Raceway in Avondale, AZ, to have their Neon Dreams come true at Goldrush while dancing the night away. With artists like Excision, Ghastly, Boogie T, and Rezz performing throughout the weekend, there was something for everyone. Fans were constantly running around the multi-stage festival to see their favorite artists.

On Friday, September 23rd, Relentless Beats and Psycho Steve Presents teamed up to put on Hearts on Fire Music Festival at The Marquee Theatre in Tempe, AZ. With a lineup featuring early 2000s legends like Boys Like Girls and The All-American Rejects, the inaugural event was not a night to miss.

“I’m so sad it’s over, but I definitely went out with the best show.” I found this comment online from a fan who has been to multiple shows on Wallows’ tour.

On August 29th, The Driver Era made a stop in Tempe, AZ, at The Marquee Theatre with support from Summer Salt. The duo, made up of Rocky and Ross Lynch was accompanied by their brother Riker Lynch who played with them in now disbanded family band R5. The venue was packed full of fans of all ages anticipating the moment that The Driver Era would take the stage. Summer Salt got the night going and the energy flowing. Fans did not let the warm venue get to them as they danced the night away.

“Kehlani in Vegas changed me.” This is a quote from a fan at the show that couldn’t be more accurate.

On August 31st, instrumental rock band, Polyphia played a sold-out show in Tempe, AZ, at The Marquee Theatre with support from the German metal band, Unprocessed, who immediately had the crowd’s attention. The energy flowed throughout the venue with fans crowding, surfing, and bopping around to the music.

On August 25th, Silverstein made their first stop on their co-headlining tour with The Amity Affliction in Tempe, AZ at The Marquee Theatre with support from UnityTX and Holding Absence. First, to take the stage was UnityTX who put on a great set that got the crowd’s energy going with a mosh pit starting up early in the night. Second, was Holding Absence who pushed through despite some technical difficulties with their microphones not working during the first three songs. They did not let that get them down though and continued performing with vocals going in and out before finishing out their set strong. Finally, Silverstein took the stage.

Banks is a truly powerful performer, and for the Serpentina tour, I would expect nothing less. She and her artistry are effortlessly beautiful, and her energy draws the audience in. As much as anyone, I already knew how amazing Banks was before I went to this show, but I was truly blown away.

On August second, fans of all ages crowded into the Marquee in Tempe, AZ, to see Sleeping With Sirens on the CTRL + ALT + DEL Tour with support from Garzi, Point North, and Don Broco. After over a decade together, the band sure knows how to put on a show, and the fans keep on coming back. Many of us have been going to their shows since we were kids, and now as adults, we have made strong friendships with those that we have met in the crowd.

On Saturday, July 23rd, Broadside made a stop in Phoenix, AZ, at The Rebel Lounge on their first ever headlining Into The Raging Sea tour. Starting the night off was local musician Rio Wiley who got the crowd going as fans filled out the venue. Up next was Cherie Amour before another local artist, First And Forever. Both bands put on great sets that had the crowd going. Lastly, before Broadside took the stage was Young Culture, who solidified the mood for the night. The room was buzzing, and fans were bopping to the music in anticipation of Broadside taking the stage.

On Friday July 8th, the extreme metal and hardcore band The Machinist from Queens, NY headlined a killer show for their latest album release for All Is Not Well at a venue in Brooklyn, NY known as The Meadows.

I arrived at the venue almost 40 minutes after the doors opened, and the line outside was still growing. The floor was already packed as people were eagerly awaiting at the barricade. Everyone wanted a spot, and they were running out. The opener, Kitty Cash, had an amazing set. Everyone in the audience was getting pumped; the anticipation was building. The crowd started chanting when the lights went out. “Thundercat! Thundercat! Thundercat!” These were some die-hard fans, and it was great to experience such a community for the night. Pure adoration was written all over the crowd’s faces. Thundercat's passion while playing bass on stage in a room full of people who love and admire him is something rare and beautiful that everyone needs to experience live. Check out the rest of his tour dates now through September, or you’ll miss out. 

Despite the sun being down, the infamous Arizona heat made its appearance at The Wrecks’ show at The Nile in Mesa, AZ, on July 21st. Fans partied the night away, packed into the venue, ignoring the heat and humidity. Thankfully the band had taken precautious measures, and six-hundred water bottles were distributed throughout the night. Mothe and Girlhouse got the crowd warmed up with incredible sets before The Wrecks took the stage.

On Sunday, July 17th, Grayscale stopped at The Nile in Mesa, AZ, on The Summer Dream Tour with support from The Ivy, Bearings, and Guardin. With it being monsoon season here in Arizona, the skies go from clear to dark and cloudy in a matter of minutes, so it was no surprise that the night Grayscale came to town, there would be a storm, especially with all of their songs about rain. It was practically a rain dance waiting to happen.

On Saturday, June 25th, I had the pleasure of attending Music of Curiosities Coney Island Presents "QVEEN OF ATLANTIS MUSIC FESTIVAL" in Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY at this amazing place known as Freak Bar. The venue of choice is a staple for the neighborhood and is famously known for its very own Circus Sideshow By The Seashore. For this special event, some very dear and close friends of mine both hosted and starred in the show.

Pennsylvanian hard rockers Crobot celebrated the release of their fifth album, Feel This, at the Mercury Lounge in New York City on June 2nd, 2022. The explosive set began with frontman Brandon Yeagley launching himself out of an Audrey II-esque plant as the band kicked off the night with the first track on the record, “Electrified”. The air in the room certainly felt electric from the first second, the raucous performance resting only for a booming voice telling a story of fantasy and heroics. Midway through the show, Yeagley stunned the crowd by yanking his mighty sword from a stone, a la King Arthur, ready to slay any unwanted beings that might cross his path. While launching Feel This, Crobot also mixed in some older favorites, to the delight of the crowd. The set was powerful and cohesive, the band was in great spirits, and the number of mic tricks? 37.

On Friday, May 27th, 2022 the progressive indie, metal, rock band from Texas known as Nothing More headlined a show at the Wellmont Theater in NJ alongside Atreyu and Ava Under Fire without their other touring mates of Asking Alexandria.

The lights were bright, the heat was intense, and the music was loud. It was the perfect start to the night as Juniper took the stage at Mercury Lounge in New York City for the second time ever.

Royal & The Serpent made a stop in Phoenix, AZ on this past Monday, March 7th in support of Grandson on Death Of A Tour. It was a high-energy night full of good music and fun antics.