DESERT STORIES

Gatecreeper's set at 191 Toole in Tucson, AZ proved that their shows are a safe space–as long as you're a headbanger.

FRANKIE AND THE WITCH FINGERS and IGUANA DEATH CULT brought a wild night of psychedelic garage rock to The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix on their “Bug Out” tour. Fans packed the venue, moshing and crowd surfing through high-energy sets featuring tracks from “Trash Classic” and beyond. With blazing guitars, pounding rhythms, and onstage chaos, the night turned into a full-blown rock spectacle that left the crowd buzzing.

ANCHIKO's long-lost EP D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L, once discovered on 4chan, led to their cult revival and a packed live show in Tempe, AZ. Joined by ALISON’S HALO and viral act FLYINGFISH, the Marquee Theatre show featured surreal visuals, nostalgic shoegaze, and emotional fan energy. From thrift store CD to viral fame, PANCHIKO’s journey proves the internet can resurrect forgotten music.

Willie Nelson wowed, Billy Strings dazzled, and Bob Dylan baffled at the Outlaw Music Festival's 10th anniversary in Phoenix. With Willie’s timeless presence, Billy’s genre-defying energy, and Dylan’s polarizing performance, fans experienced a night of musical highs and unexpected lows. Discover why this festival continues to captivate generations—and what left some texting “Bob Dylan SUCKS!” mid-show.

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.

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

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.

Eternal kicks off their tour with a night of metal mayhem in Tempe, joined by Dogyard, High on Formaldehyde, and High Castle.

Brutal Bash 2 ravages The Nile Underground with six death metal bands delivering grotesque lyrics and sonic violence to devoted genre fans.

Rorschach Test brought raw industrial power to Phoenix's Rebel Lounge, with Torso and There Is No Us opening the intimate showcase.

Silverstein celebrates 25 years of music with Split Chain, Arm's Length and Thursday for a night of MySpace vibes only elder emos can get.

Belarusian cold-wave trio MOLCHAT DOMA sold out The Van Buren, turning it into a Safdie movie set with sinister synths and snake-like moves.

BONGINATOR and FROG MALLET packed The Nile on their "Froginator4 Modern Tourfare" co-headlining tour, featuring intense moshing and comedy

Evan X Dana and Sungazer showcase their genre-bending brilliance with jazzy tunes, video game vibes and audience dance along numbers.

THERE IS NO US and JANE N THE JUNGLE blew the roof off Queen B Vinyl Cafe—loud and unapologetically killer from start to finish.

Amigo the Devil brought dark humor, banjo solos, and raw storytelling to Marquee Theatre, leaving fans laughing and singing all night long.

Arizona and California powerviolence and grindcore bands shake up Ground Zero Studios with roundhouse kicks and walls of death.

Machine Girl, Kill Alters and Lightning Bolt electrify The Nile Theater with insane, cyberpunk lights and sounds.