Walking into Arizona Financial Theatre for the Amonklok Conquest Tour, the place already felt alive. People were still finding their spots, grabbing drinks, but the energy was there early. It didn’t feel like a slow start at all. It felt like everyone knew this was going to be a solid night.
Punk Rock Christmas at Wild Horse Pass, from Punk In The Park and Brew Ha Ha Productions, was exactly what it promised to be: loud, sweaty, chaotic, and somehow festive in the most punk way possible. Mohawks next to Santa hats, studded vests next to elf ears, and a whole lot of people who clearly chose distortion pedals over Silent Nights. As both a photographer and a lifelong punk fan, this one checked every box. Continue reading
The first time I saw Ghost was April 23, 2016, at the Rialto Theatre in Tucson. Even then, they went big, full church set, stained glass, smoke curling across the stage, and a performance that felt more like a ritual than a rock show. Nine years later, after chasing them across three states, this Phoenix stop marked my fifth Ghost concert, and I walked out feeling the same thing I felt the first time: totally blown away. Continue reading
February 9th and 10th the Footprint Center stage, in Phoenix, AZ, lit up with the powerhouse that is Tool with direct support from Boston bred/and mostly now Germany-based band Elder. Elder started by warming up our ears to their heavy riffs and long instrumentals. This was my first time experiencing Elder, and I had never heard of the band until then. After this one experience though, I can easily see how the band fits and compliments Tool on this tour, as they too have some psychedelic and captivating soundscapes that just simply fits. Continue reading
Covet’s latest American tour in support of their latest album Catharsis, started in April in Portland, OR, and recently came to a successful close this May in Santa Cruz, CA. I was able to experience Covet for the first time along with supporting acts ScaryPoolParty and Alto Palo in Phoenix, AZ, during which I was excited and curious to see how each of these bands would blend together.
Queensrÿche brought their Digital Noise Alliance tour to The Marquee Theatre in Tempe, with fellow metal legends shredder Marty Friedman, and Bay Area thrash/heavy metallers Trauma (the original band Cliff Burton was in before he joined Metallica). Locals Show N Tell and Spiritual Suicide opened. Continue reading
While sugary-sweet pop vocals coupled with head-crushing heavy metal doesn’t seem like a recipe for success, Poppy has been changing the game. We were there when she took the stage at Brooklyn Steel last month and saw firsthand what everyone has been buzzing about. Continue reading
Exit 111 Festival, aptly named for the highway exit in Manchester TN, made its début October 11-13, 2019. Arriving in powers of three, it was three days of riffs, rock, and rowdiness. One part Metal, one part Rock, one Southern rock, and a whole lot of nostalgia, the event hosted three stages: the Rise Above Stage (honored suicide awareness and featured many of the Classic rock/Southern rock acts), Heaven Stage (the main stage and home to the headliners), and Hell Stage (spotlighted mainly heavy artists). Continue reading
Do you remember where you were the first time you ever went to Vans Warped Tour? A lot of us do! This year’s final farewell to twenty-five years of amazing music and shared experiences came to a close with some of our favorite Warped Tour artists, old and new, and it was a heartfelt goodbye. Ghost Cult Magazine got a chance to cover the Mountain View, California Warped Tour to celebrate with the most nostalgic of performers. Continue reading