On Thursday evening, JOHNNYSWIM brought warmth, intimacy, and a whole lot of soul to The Van Buren in Phoenix. Though the room wasn’t at full capacity, it didn’t matter—the crowd was dialed in and the connection between audience and artist was unmistakable.
Opening the night was Micah Edwards, affectionately known as “Mr. Texas Soul”. With a smooth blend of retro soul and modern R&B, he brought an effortless warmth to the stage that immediately set the tone for the evening. Backed by a bandmate on guitar, keys, and occasional harmonies, Edwards delivered a set full of groove, heart, and charm. His rich vocals and easygoing stage presence made him the perfect introduction to a night centered around connection and emotion.
Currently touring in support of their latest album, JOHNNYSWIM took the stage first with a somber moment behind closed curtains, then with a burst of energy and the kind of magnetic chemistry that has long defined their live shows. Using layered visuals, home videos, and clever use of stage curtains, the duo created a space that felt both grand and deeply personal.
Rather than a typical greatest hits setlist, the night was a celebration of the new record—performed in full, with storytelling woven throughout. Highlights included heartfelt ballads, high-energy singalongs, and spontaneous moments that kept the crowd engaged and smiling. Their signature dynamic—Abner’s humor and charm paired with Amanda’s powerhouse vocals and grounded grace—was on full display, captivating from start to finish.
In an especially tender moment, Amanda serenaded Abner with a song she had written for him, and later in the evening, the two took fan requests, unplugging for a few acoustic favorites. At one point, they even stepped down into the crowd, blurring the line between performer and fan, turning the room into something that felt more like a family gathering than a concert.
The duo’s commitment to connection goes beyond the performance itself—they record each night’s set live to cassette and make them available for purchase at the merch table, a nostalgic touch that matches the intimacy of their shows.
By the time they reached the final notes of the evening, the room was glowing with the kind of collective warmth that only comes from an experience shared between artist and audience. When The War Is Over may be the name of the album—but for JOHNNYSWIM and their fans, this tour feels more like a celebration of love, resilience and the beauty of sticking together through it all.
