On Friday night, Medium Build brought his King of Having Fun Tour to The Van Buren in downtown Phoenix, delivering an evening full of laughter, vulnerability and the kind of connection that makes live music so special.
The Phoenix stop passed the 20-show mark on this headlining tour in support of his newly released album, King of Having Fun. Written during a particularly tender chapter of his life, the record finds Nick Carpenter- the man behind the moniker- embracing a newfound sense of joy after years of navigating personal struggles. It’s an album about choosing to keep moving, finding reasons to laugh, and learning to enjoy being alive. That spirit carried throughout Friday night’s performance.
Working his way through the new record with a handful of older favorites mixed in, Carpenter brought an infectious energy to the stage, balancing upbeat moments with the deeply personal storytelling that has become such a defining part of his music. At times, it felt less like watching a concert and more like spending an evening with an old friend. Carpenter laughed and joked with the audience, shared stories from his life and spoke candidly about the experiences that have shaped him. There’s an honesty to the way he carries himself- both in his songwriting and onstage- that makes even a room full of strangers feel like a community.
One particularly memorable moment came when a fan in the audience (who happened to be passing through on a layover from Alaska) requested a song Carpenter had written nearly a decade earlier as a joke. Carpenter obliged, taking a detour from the setlist to share a story about his time on Music Row in Nashville and his own attempt at writing country music, much to the delight of the crowd. It was the sort of spontaneous, wonderfully human moment that can’t be planned, and one that perfectly captured the easygoing atmosphere of the evening.
Between songs, Carpenter expressed genuine gratitude for everyone who had chosen to spend their Friday night with him. Acknowledging that there were plenty of other places people could have spent their time and money, he made it clear that their presence meant something to him, and it was easy to understand why so many had chosen to be there.
For all the weight that some of his stories carry, the evening never felt heavy. There was plenty of dancing, laughter and celebration, reflecting the very intention behind King of Having Fun: to make something joyful and worth sharing.
As the night came to a close, Carpenter left the stage blowing kisses, thanking the audience, and expressing his hope that he’d see everyone again. There was no grand farewell necessary- just a heartfelt thank you from someone who clearly loves what he does, to a room full of people who love being a part of it. Friday was a powerful reminder that we can show up exactly as we are, laugh at ourselves, share our stories and find a little joy in the middle of it all.
