Bands and fans sweat it out for one last summer at the Warped Tour
This is the summer that we say farewell to the rock show. After 24 years, founder Kevin Lyman is putting the Vans Warped Tour to rest. Kicking off on its final cross-country run on June 21 in Pomona, CA, this last trek will end on August 5 in Florida. Atlas attended the Phoenix, AZ, and […]
Show Review: Peking Duk and *repeat repeat defy expectations for rowdy, groovy Saturday
No matter where you live, once you start seeing a lot of live music, you recognize the promoters and how each one sticks to a niche genre. In Phoenix, that means you’re expecting EDM whenever you see that Relentless Beats is advertising a show. You’re not expecting a surf pop/garage rock band. But that was […]
Show Review: Shakey Graves and Lauren Ruth Ward take Phoenix on a journey through Americana
Here in Arizona, the desert heat feels like Texas, the dusty highways feel like Texas, and the numerous barbeque options feel like Texas. But other than that, you have to travel east for the unique aesthetic of our nation’s largest state — or just set foot inside a venue where Shakey Graves is playing. You’ll be immediately transported […]
Lauren Ruth Ward: When Retro Meets Right Now
“I am the Lizard King / I can do anything.” The infamous Jim Morrison lyric sums up a few things about Lauren Ruth Ward: her title of Lizard Queen, her feminist outlook, and her no-boundaries way of life that applies to aspects as small as her vocal nuances to major pillars like her very identity. […]
Show Review: Great Good Fine Ok and Smallpools have your perfect summer soundtrack
What happens when you put together a tour featuring skate punk veterans, a synth duo, and an indie pop band? Usually, madness, but on the Spring Is Sprung tour, it somehow works. All three acts — Half the Animal, Great Good Fine Ok, and Smallpools — brought their own versions of indie pop to Phoenix’s Crescent Ballroom and raised […]
Show Review: Jack Antonoff pours his heart out in Phoenix
Arizona isn’t often the first place artists think of when they get sentimental onstage, but Jack Antonoff is not just any artist. Antonoff brought his immensely successful project, Bleachers, to a sold-out crowd at The Van Buren on Tuesday and wasted no time in waxing poetic about his love for the desert. New York duo […]
Fans come together for engaging set from Red Wanting Blue
Op-Ed: Childish Gambino turns America’s darkness into art
Donald Glover knows you’re watching him. But this time, you’re uncomfortable and he knows that too. Glover, who performs under the name Childish Gambino, released a music video for his new single, “This Is America,” which has racked up over 40 million views and earned him countless accolades from celebrities and fans alike. This video […]
Show Review: Sum 41 revives classic album for 15-year anniversary celebration
“Goddamn, this is fun tonight!” Deryck Whibley’s joyful shout out to the audience captured the entire vibe of The Van Buren on Sunday for the 15-year anniversary tour of Sum 41’s Does This Look Infected?. The band reunited with their original lineup for an explosive celebration of the classic record. Kicking off the night was California […]
Show Review: Epic production elevates The Witching Hour Tour
The walls of The Van Buren shook on Monday as hardcore heavyweights In This Moment brought The Witching Hour Tour to Phoenix. Supported by hometown favorites The Word Alive and DED, the female-fronted metal veterans proved why they’re still strong players in the scene. Black lipstick, fishnets and indecipherable shirts abounded for one of the […]