Phoenix New Times’ best concert photos of 2025

Phoenix concertgoers were eating good in 2025. Venues and stages across the Valley stayed busy throughout the year as blockbuster tours, high-profile artists and hometown favorites played for packed crowds.

Even as ticket prices climbed nationwide, live music fans in Phoenix kept showing up in droves for the year’s biggest buzzed-about shows.

And we were along for the ride. Phoenix New Times followed the action all year, covering more than 50 concerts and music events in the Valley. We attended intimate club gigs, sold-out concerts and massive stadium shows.

What stuck with us most are the indelible memories from those nights that echo long after the amps powered down.

Those moments came fast and loud in 2025. The Weeknd playing futuristic wizard and pop prophet before a stunned crowd at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Katy Perry turning PHX Arena (now known as Mortgate Matchup Center) into a glittering dystopian dream. Alice Cooper and Rob Halford summoning pure metal mayhem under the desert sky. Kendrick Lamar and SZA delivering a master class in power, grace and precision.

We also witnessed Nine Inch Nails craft a haunting symphony of beautiful noise in downtown Phoenix and Post Malone bring hits, beer and unfiltered chaos to Glendale. Plus, “Weird Al” Yankovic being his usually entertaining self and Wu-Tang Clan playing their final concert in the Valley.

Local artists also fueled countless great nights across town. There was the annual Phoenix Rock Lottery at Crescent Ballroom and the endlessly creative fun of LöFest. And the punk fiends of Chrome Rhino and Rattlesnake Suitcase served up pure chaos with bodies, steel chairs and sweat at the wrestling-inspired Rock ’N’ Roll Rumble.

The Valley’s music festivals delivered just as many unforgettable scenes in 2025. M3F powered through rain at Steele Indian School Park with soaked crowds and defiant dance parties. Innings Fest transformed Tempe into an action-packed collision of baseball energy and indie rock bliss. And this year’s Goldrush brought booming bass and nonstop dance-floor escapism back to Rawhide in Chandler.

Our photographers were on the scene at many of these concerts and festivals, capturing the vibe, antics and excitement of each event. Here’s a look back at the best Phoenix concert photos of 2025.