Author Archives: Jacob Leffel

PHOENIX, AZ | Shinedown and the Revolutions tour stopped at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre alongside Papa Roach for a sold out crowd in Phoenix, Arizona. The group brought their unique mix of rock, grunge, and pop-metal to the 23rd stop on this 2023 fall tour.

The Florida natives began their set with “Diamond Eyes,” a tune from their 2008 album The Sound of Madness. Accompanied by pyrotechnics, the band brought the heat literally and figuratively. The band followed the opener with “Dead Don’t Die” and “I’ll Follow You.

Coming onto the scene in 2001, the band has shown they have a healthier endurance than just about anyone still touring and releasing music into the early 2020s. Playing songs from their entire career, a band like this is what brings generations together. One could possibly surmise the average age of the audience, but you can be sure everyone was on their feet the entire time.

The revolutions tour and the 17 song setlist brings everyone on a two decade journey. The band plays as if it’s their last show, and plays for their only boss—all while fire and lights go wild. The show is an absolute blast from start to finish.

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PHOENIX, AZ | The All American Rejects and the Wet Hot All-American summer tour made their Phoenix stop playing at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre. Along with them, the Rejects brought three bands playing what felt like a mini festival—kicked off by The Get Up Kids, followed by Motion City Soundtrack, and then New Found Glory all before the Rejects even took the stage.

The Oklahoma natives came out swinging, literally by performing their 2002 hit song “Swing, Swing.” After the song a graphic on all the screens displaying what looked like a time warp. All American Rejects lead singer Tyson Ritter announced that we were taking a little trip to the early two thousands. Being thrown back into a time warp, the nostalgia kicked in immediately. Just like that, we were back at the height of All American Rejects releasing music. It wouldn’t look like it because of the dancing and energy on stage, but elements of the show definitely pulled on the heartstrings a bit, reminding us all of the good old days, the entire lineup hit home.

According to an article in Vogue, “The band achieved mainstream success with their debut self-titled studio album The All-American Rejects released in 2003 by Dreamworks Records.” Since then, the band has toured the entire world alongside some of the biggest names from Blink-182 to Bon Jovi. All American Rejects will always be known for their unique pop-punk sound and lyrics that helped shape pop-rock music through the early two thousands.

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GLENDALE, AZ | Zach Bryan and The Burn, Burn, Burn Tour made its 25th stop in Glendale, Arizona at the Desert Diamond Arena. The arena can hold 20,000 people, and that night it welcomed just that and then some.

One of the most attended events in Arena history, it was abundantly clear Glendale, AZ was ready for Zach Bryan. As luck would have it, Zach Bryan was extra ready for AZ. What made this stop different from the prior 24 is that Bryan dropped a new album the day of the show. The fourth album in Bryan’s discography, the release came at the perfect time for the Glendale fans.

It has been a banner year for Bryan, selling out every leg of his stadium tour. Perfecting the art of performing in the round, Bryan makes sure he plays to everyone in the room. The gravity is not lost on him though—he let everyone know how much his life has changed this year and how grateful he is. Zach was immensely appreciative all night, thanking the crowd for coming out multiple times and the audience showed their love right back by singing along to all 22 songs.

The night kicked off with Charles Wesley Godwin and his band The Allegheny High. The West Virginia native and crew got the ball rolling quickly. The band has been playing together for quite some time, and it is entirely evident the amount of energy they perform with. Not only do they play great music, it’s clear how much they love what they do. Desert Diamond Arena is a pretty large space, but everyone in that building could feel the spirit of the opening set. In the theme of evolving genres, CWG plays Country with influences of Americana and folk. A perfect intro to Zach Bryans set, CWG delivers a powerful opening set.

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