It was a triple bill that hit all the right notes Sunday night at Phoenix’s Crescent Ballroom, where Sam MacPherson, Hate Drugs, and HARBOUR took the stage for an evening of feel-good indie pop perfect for summer nights.
Sam MacPherson opened the night with nothing but his guitar, his voice, and stories about his songs. Known for his emotionally honest songwriting, the New Jersey native has built a following for his ability to balance vulnerability and charm and displayed both on stage. Before launching into a track inspired by a past relationship, he recounted the story: “She was coming over to my house a lot, and I was going over to her house a lot.” So it went — three times, which had the crowd laughing — before she finally said yes to dating.
To close his set, MacPherson taught the audience a six-note sequence, having us loop it on repeat as he sang above the makeshift choir. It was the kind of goosebump-inducing moment that makes a show memorable, and it was a strong start to the performance.
Switching things up, Hate Drugs brought the chaos (in the best way). The California-based band almost didn’t make it to the show at all after their van broke down somewhere between Los Angeles and Phoenix. According to their social media, they were stranded in the desert trying to call an Uber, which gets funnier the longer you think about it. Miraculously, they arrived just in time to catch the tail end of MacPherson’s set and launch into their own.
Their set was part dream pop, part surf rock, with enough onstage antics to keep the crowd guessing what they’d do next. Hate Drugs is known for their psych-pop sound and DIY spirit, and they leaned hard into it on Sunday. They even announced they were accepting “whatever you can afford” for merch to help fund van repairs. DIY is alive and well, and seeing fans go straight to the merch table to support the cause was heartwarming.
HARBOUR wrapped up the night with a high-energy performance that felt like a celebration. The Cincinnati band, who have cultivated a dedicated fanbase with their infectious hooks and easygoing charm, inject so much life into their songs while on stage with an electric presence. They previewed tracks from their upcoming album Golden (dropping this Friday) while delivering plenty of crowd favorites from their existing catalog.
It’s not often you can say this, but it was HARBOUR’s drummer, Ryan Sulken, who stole the show. Each band member brings their own spark, of course, but his unbridled enthusiasm behind the drum kit is worth noting. The fans were all in on it, dancing, singing, and all smiles through every song — “Bahamas,” “Float,” and “Judy You Hung the Moon” being some of the favorites. By the final note of “I Can’t Stand It,” the crowd was sufficiently bolstered with the good vibes and ready for the week ahead.
