The citizens of Phoenix were in for a special treat. Tonight they would be in the presence of Pussy Riot. Pussy Riot is a female feminist protest and performance group from Russia. The audience had packed into The Crescent Ballroom; everyone had been waiting patiently. The start time for the show had come and gone. Everyone was curious what the delay was. We noticed that merch had not been set out and we all wondered if the band had hit traffic. All of a sudden it was time, the band had come in. The stage had been set up and a man came out onto the stage. The man was Alexander Cheparukhin. Ale ..read more

Preview by Val Tapia Photo by Jason McEachern The holiday season brings both excitement and dread to many people, whether anybody likes to say that out loud or not.  However, there is one annual event during this time of year that seems to consistently grow— in production and attendance– and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. In fact, it can be argued that one doesn’t even have to celebrate the holidays to appreciate what Trans-Siberian Orchestra deliver onstage: an evening of sight-and-sound unlike no other during the winter season.  In most cities they tour, the band ..read more

Review by Val Tapia Photos by Fred Kuhlman Venue: Wild Horse Pass, Gila River Resort & Casino (https://wildhorsepass.com/) Date: Saturday November 18th, 2023 Tour: 50th Anniversary – We’re An American Band Grand Funk Railroad at Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino in Chandler, AZ on November 18th 2023 When I think of American rock and roll, it’s hard to believe how much Grand Funk Railroad have been taken for granted by music historians for the better part of the last 30 years– at least. While they were rarely the critics’ choice, make no mistake, they were by-and-large the peoples’ choice ..read more

Review by Val Tapia Photos by Fred Kuhlman Promoter: 13th Floor Entertainment (https://www.13thfloorentertainment.com/ ) Venue: The Nile Theater (https://www.theniletheater.com/ ) Date: Wednesday October 25th, 2023 Tour: Sweet Oblivion Tour Baroness at The Nile Theater, Mesa, AZ on October 25th 2023 While on my way to Mesa’s Nile Theatre on Wed. Oct. 25 to see a triple-bill of Baroness, Primitive Man, and Midwife, I started thinking about the “current” state of rock music.  Is it healthy, or speaking candidly, is it on… life support? Going by the response of the small yet enthusiastic cro ..read more

Review by Val Tapia Photos by Fred Kuhlman Venue: Wild Horse Pass, Gila River Resort & Casino (https://wildhorsepass.com/) Date: October 26th, 2023 Tour: Under The Midnight Sun The Cult at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, AZ on October 26th 2023 When I think of The Cult, I automatically think of bands like The Smiths and The Cure, and Peter Murphy as well.  The one thing that the aforementioned artists had in common was that all of them were played on both college and mainstream rock radio during the late 1980s. Not only that, but you could see The Cult on MTV’s 120 Minutes and Headbanger ..read more

Review and Photos by Megan Juarez-Fontana Venue: Arizona Financial Theater (http://www.theatrephoenix.org/?msclkid=8671e620edd0176e308a83757906fa6f ) Date: Tuesday November 7th, 2023 Tour: Jaws Of Life Tour Tonight was about to be a memorable night of epic bands joining together to put on a performance that would be remembered for years to come. The lines were so long they wrapped around the block and everyone could not wait to get inside the venue. The minute the doors opened everyone rushed to the merch tables or their seats. the merch line went up three flights of stairs and never let ..read more

Review and Photos by Megan Juarez-Fontana Promoter: 13th Floor (https://thirteenthfloor.com/) Venue: The Nile Theater (https://www.theniletheater.com/ ) Date: Saturday November 11th, 2023 Tour: Terrasitic Infestation Tour The lines wrapped around the block to the point the staff at the Nile had to form 3 lines for everyone to get in. The first band of the night was Castrator. The band slowly came onto the stage, taking their places and facing their backs to the audience until the music started. The minute the music began to play the band turned around and faced everyone. The audience clap ..read more

Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman Promoter: Danny Zelisko Presents (https://www.dannyzeliskopresents.com/ ) Venue: Celebrity Theatre (https://celebritytheatre.com/ ) Date: Tuesday October 10th, 2023 Following the punk movement in the 70s, came a set of new bands that were part of the British new wave movement in the late 70s.  This sound was back to the classic rock & roll style of the late 60s and early 70s.  Two of the premier bands that were part of the British new wave were The Psychedelic Furs & Squeeze.  After over 40 years these two band still rock and the audienc ..read more

By Val Tapia, BADS Contributing Writer I imagine it isn’t very often that you get a chance to see a concert tour that features a combination of music, photography, and spoken/written word in one evening.  Not to mention that all of it is literally being delivered by only one musician onstage— the inimitable Andy Summers— putting a unique spin to the word solo. Even better, this performance is taking place at one of the best (and criminally underrated) venues in town to see an intimate show of this caliber, the MIM Music Theatre.  Sorry my friends, the show this Wed. Nov. 1 is sold ou ..read more

Review and Photos by Megan Juarez-Fontana Promoter: Lucky Man (https://luckymanonline.com/) Venue: The Marquee (https://marqueetheatreaz.com/ ) Date: September 28th, 2023 Luna Aura is an amazing gender bending alternative artist. She was the perfect musician to accompany Corey Taylor on his CMFT2 Tour. The Marquee began to fill up with people who were ready for a night filled with different genres of rock, metal and punk. Luna Aura Opened up the night with a wave of amazing alternative rock. Luna Aura is actually from Phoenix, Arizona. The set opened up with the house lights off and blue stage ..read more