Show Review: Shakey Graves is soulful and sentimental at ‘And the War Came’ 10th Anniversary Tour
On a breezy Tuesday evening in downtown Phoenix, Shakey Graves returned to The Van Buren to celebrate ten years of And the War Came—an album that cracked open something tender and timeless in the hearts of many. This stop on his 10th Anniversary Tour felt like a reunion with an old friend: familiar, cathartic, and […]
Gallery: Denzel Curry’s Mischievous South Tour kicks off in Phoenix
Denzel Curry is going worldwide this year. Hot on the heels of his 2024 album, King of the Mischievous South, the Miami rapper drew a massive crowd at Camp Flog Gnaw in November and then hit the road in February for an extensive tour through Australia, North America, and Europe. For his U.S. opener, he […]
Show Review: half•alive’s ‘Persona’ era comes to life at The Van Buren
Back on the road to celebrate the Persona era, half•alive brought their new live show to Phoenix for a stunning Saturday night of dancing, color, and joy. Support from mehro and The Walters was the perfect primer, showing both the introspective and energetic sides of half•alive’s music. Early arrivals shrieked with delight at the goofy […]
Artist Spotlight: EVAN releases first single on new musical journey; talks influences, creative process and collaboration
EVAN- formerly known as PLUMA- is getting a fresh start with a new name, new music and a new outlook on what’s next. His hip-hop inspired, electronic-infused music allows him to explore every side of his artistry without the confines of genre and his latest single, “Star Below”, is the first step on this exciting […]
Show Review: K.Flay embraces every era at healing AZ tour stop
K.Flay is in her healing era. The singer/rapper is back on the road (officially to promote 2023’s MONO) and is weirder and more confident and arguably better than ever. And plenty of fans experienced the mid-week pick-me-up that was her show at The Van Buren in downtown Phoenix on Wednesday night. Opening act Vienna Vienna […]
Show Review: Joy Oladokun brings an intimate, soulful night to The Van Buren
Some shows feel larger than life, but some—like Joy Oladokun’s stop at The Van Buren this week—thrive in their intimacy. Playing to a modest but deeply devoted crowd, Oladokun transformed the space into something far more personal, weaving together humor, vulnerability, and raw storytelling. This was more than just a tour stop—it was a homecoming. […]
Show Review: AMPERS&ONE breathes new life into K-pop with invigorating Arizona performance
A flood of young fans (and one very excited dad) piled into Mesa’s Nile Theater when AMPERS&ONE brought their aptly named My First_ in North America tour to Arizona. The freshly minted K-pop group- made up of Kamden, Brian, Jiho, Siyun, Mackiah, Kyrell, and Seungmo- turned the iconic theater into a spectacle of energetic dancing […]
Show Review: Connor Price throws an all-ages party on the Family & Friends Tour in Tempe
For concert enthusiasts who are also parents, the opportunities to take the whole family to a show are few and far between — thematic content, onstage antics, and fan behavior are just a few things that can go awry. But multihyphenate Connor Price has created a space where fans of all ages are welcome, and […]
Show Review: Nessa Barrett brings her sultry Aftercare Tour to sold out Phoenix stop
Not many artists elicit a “no camping” warning from the venues they play, but the arrival of Nessa Barrett and Ari Abdul came with an announcement from The Van Buren in Phoenix: Fans cannot be on the property prior to 2:30pm on the day of the show. But even with only a few hours between […]
Show Review: Saint Motel lights up a rainy night in Phoenix
A rare rainy evening in downtown Phoenix couldn’t dampen the excitement at The Van Buren. Saint Motel took the stage to a packed house of fans who braved the weather, and from the first notes, it was clear the crowd’s enthusiasm was through the roof. The unusual drizzle outside only made the cozy venue feel […]