Crescent Ballroom was crowded with fans of all ages for the long-awaited (and nearly sold out) Arizona stop of Jamie Miller’s Long Way Home Tour. The singer-songwriter experienced a flood of love throughout the emotional show and delivered a jaw-dropping vocal performance for this incredible headliner.
From the moment Alex Sampson bounded onstage to “Wallflower”, the Disney Channel pop star vibes immediately jumped out. A former competitor on America’s Got Talent, the vocalist showed off his impressive range on a host of original songs that evoked a sunnier, simpler, windows-down time of pop music past.
His tunes clearly resonated with the young audience and they were happy to dance and sing along to “Friend Zone” and “Pretty Baby”. Sampson knows the way to any pop lover’s heart and threw in an energetic cover of One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful”- and he’s absolutely right in saying that the song never gets old. His opening set concluded with the bouncy “Blind” and he immediately drew a long line at the merch table for a chance to swoon at him up close.
With his charming British accent and bright smile, Jamie Miller is absolutely the people’s prince. He had the crowd squealing long before a single spotlight revealed him crooning to “Silver Linings” and kicked off a set that showed off his amazing vocal talents. Miller’s music is rooted in melancholy, as he journeys through breakups and loss with his lyrics. Despite those sad overtures, the audience was thrilled to be there and showered Miller in cheers and praise between singing along to “Nothing to Miss” and “Rooting for You”.
The middle of the set found Miller openly sobbing as he told stories about losing friends and family but finding a new family through his fans. The audience sent him waves of encouragement and he pushed through the tears for a stunning vocal performance on “Here’s Your Perfect” and “It Is What It Is” to round out an amazing show.
Miller has long regarded Arizona as a place that feels like home and the crowds in Phoenix are always determined to ensure that he keeps coming back. After such an incredible evening, there’s no doubt that Phoenix will continue to be a special place for Miller and the ever-growing crowds will still be here to welcome his return.
