At The Van Buren in downtown Phoenix on a vibrant Wednesday evening, the stage belonged to none other than Marcus King, headlining his Mood Swings The World Tour. Known for his blend of honky tonk rock ‘n’ roll, King captivated the audience with his signature sound and magnetic stage presence. With the added energy of JJ Wilde opening the show, The Van Buren was alive with the soulful vibes of two powerhouse performers.
Canadian rocker JJ Wilde kicked off the night with a heartfelt tribute to the state of Arizona. Despite some self-purported initial nerves, she quickly found her groove, delivering electrifying performances of crowd favorites like “You’re The Best Of Me” and a raw, unreleased gem co-written with her cousin Dan, who accompanied her on stage. Reflecting on the evolving significance of “Giving Up Giving In”, Wilde connected deeply with the audience. The energy reached a peak during her rendition of Janis Joplin’s “Piece Of My Heart”, with a touch of Shania Twain charm that had everyone singing along. Wilde left the crowd buzzing, knowing that Marcus King’s highly anticipated performance was up next on the bill. With her latest EP, Best Of Me (Part 1), already making waves, fans are urged to dive into her music and experience the raw passion firsthand.
Touring in support of his latest album, Marcus King’s unforgettable performance left the audience in awe. He kicked off the set with the soulful “Beautiful Stranger” and the infectious energy of “Hero” charmed them even more. Throughout the evening, the crowd enthusiastically joined in, singing along to favorites like “Rita Is Gone” and “Homesick”. King kept spirits high with a cover of Danny O’Keefe’s “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues” before bringing JJ Wilde back to center stage for a fun duet on a cover of Elle King’s “See You Again”. After some necessary jamming, King introduced his bandmates and eased into the soulful melodies of “Goodbye Carolina” followed by the laid-back vibes of “Wildflowers & Wine”. Closing the night with an encore performance of the band’s classic “The Weight”, King left no doubt about his status as a true musical virtuoso.
