DESERT STORIES

Phoenix got dragged through the mud when NAPALM DEATH, THE MELVINS, WEEDEATER, and DARK SKY BURIAL stormed The Van Buren on the "Savage Imperial Death March" tour. WEEDEATER’s dirty sludge riffs, THE MELVINS’ chaotic swagger, and NAPALM DEATH’s raw grind left the crowd bruised but hungry. Even as the pit thinned out and the politics fell flat, the night was a heavy, sweaty mess of riffs, rage, and wreckage.

Movie poster for “Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie” at Desert Ridge in Phoenix, AZ for the world premiere on 4/20 at 4:20pm. Photographed by...

Bands perform at Budsapalooza in Phoenix, AZ on April 11, 2025 while attendees wait in line to get cannabis goodies from vendors....

Refreshed your pre-roll stash at Budsapalooza 2025 but don't know where to start for the best high? Our in-depth reviews of brands like Cigaweeds, i.o. Extracts and People's Cannabis Co. are here to help!

Dave Blunts brought his no-filter attitude to Phoenix's Crescent Ballroom, kicking off his tour with DJ Jozier and Pablo Skywalkin to a packed house. Chilling on his custom purple loveseat, Blunts previewed tracks from "You Can't Say That" while creating buzz by stopping the show to demand everyone recite his lyrics uncensored. Despite the crowd's wild energy, signs, and mosh pits, the rapper teased but skipped his promised crowdsurfing moment. His slur-filled new album drops

Alton Brown, beloved culinary icon behind Good Eats and Cutthroat Kitchen, made two unforgettable farewell tour stops in Mesa on April 6, 2025. The show mixed science, chaos, AI recipe satire, and live cooking with Brown’s signature wit. Fans enjoyed nostalgic storytelling, absurd culinary demos, and a “Cutthroat Kitchen”-style wiener challenge. A wild, hilarious send-off only Alton could deliver.

"Going Postal" is a bold, unfiltered gaming doc exploring controversy, creativity & cult fandom. A nuanced and unforgettable must-see film.

Warbringer’s “Vortex of Violence Tour” crushed Phoenix with savage sets from Skeletal Remains, Allegaeon, and Summoning the Lich. A night of thrash, death, and fantasy-fueled fury lit up Last Exit Live as metal fans moshed to relentless riffs, brutal vocals, and otherworldly solos.

GOYA dropped death-fuzz previews, Green Druid crushed slow riffs, and AZ bands brought doom fury to Pub Rock’s metal altar.