The concert is also especially busy this weekend, as big-name artists and bands like Jack White, Pitbull, Tears for Fears, Jxdn, and Rex Orange County have performances scheduled during the three-day span from Friday, May 27, to Sunday, May 29. There’s also an electronic dance music festival (Under Construction) and a memorial show in honor of the late Andy Warpigs.
Details about these shows and others happening this weekend can be found below. And for more live music, check out Phoenix New Times’ concert calendar.
Sébastien Léger
Friday, May 27Walter Where?House, 702 North 21st AvenueWith a whopping 25 years’ worth of releases and a progressive retro-futurist sound blending elements of disco, house, techno, and electro, Sébastien Léger has cemented his reputation as a real producer's producer. And despite his fair share of international dance hits over the years, the Paris-born electronic dance music artist remains firmly rooted in the underground, where his relentlessly inventive production style has evolved, unconstrained by commercial dance music trends. He’s scheduled to take over the sound system at Walter Where?House on Friday night. The evening starts at 9 p.m. and with a “b2b” set by HoodyHoo and Mârama. Tickets are $26. Sean Levisman
Pedro the Lion
Friday, May 27Crescent Ballroom, 308 North Second AvenueFormed by multi-instrumentalist (and Valley native) David Bazan in 1995, Pedro the Lion began as an entirely solo project with Bazan playing nearly every instrument on the band's first EP and following two full-length albums. For about 10 years, Bazan would play with a rotating cast of musicians to bring the project to life for another two albums and four EPs, but in January 2006, Bazan dissolved the Pedro the Lion project to pursue his solo work again. The project lay dormant until 2017 when Bazan announced that the project would return with drummer Sean Lane and guitarist Erik Walters. The band has released two albums as a trio, including the band's latest release, Havasu, which was released in January. The album is the second in a planned pentalogy, with each album representing a different part of Arizona where Bazan spent his childhood. Canadian singer-songwriter. He’s coming home this weekend to perform at Crescent Ballroom on Friday. Charlotte Cornfield opens the 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $23 to $33. David Fletcher
Pitbull
Friday, May 27Talking Stick Resort, 9800 East Talking Stick WayYou can't mistake Pitbull for anyone other than Pitbull. With his shaved head, sunglasses, sharp suit, and stellar dance moves, the Miami rapper is a force unto himself — a Latino sensation with crossover appeal and an international following. The Cuban heartthrob caught his big break in 2002 when a freestyle of his landed on Lil Jon’s Kings of Crunk album in 2002. Since then, Mr. Worldwide has released 11 albums, been a mainstay on the Billboard charts, and won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album in 2017. Just like the fun Miami bass music Pitbull grew up on, his outdoor performance at Talking Stick Resort’s pool area should be filled with happy spirits and an energy level that will get the crowd moving. The concert is at 8 p.m. and tickets are available through resellers. Aria Bell
Jxdn
Friday May 27The Van Buren, 401 West Van Buren StreetIn late May, TikTok personality turned pop-punk singer Jxdn stops at the Van Buren as part of his Tell Me About Tomorrow Tour. Jxdn rose to fame after joining the social media platform in 2019. Having achieved influencer status, he caught the attention of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, who signed him to his label, DTA Records. Since then, Jxdn has collaborated with the likes of Machine Gun Kelly and covered songs like Olivia Rodrigo's "Driver's License." He was nominated for the Social Star Award at the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards. The show is at 7 p.m. and tickets are $35 at the door. Sophia Medina
Tears for Fears
Friday, May 27Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 North 83rd AvenueIf you were alive and following popular music when Tears For Fears first became known in Phoenix, it may have seemed like they were much older than they actually were. The duo of Roland Orzabal (guitar, keyboard, vocals) and Curt Smith (bass and vocals) were in their early 20s when their first two albums, The Hurting (1983) and Songs From The Big Chair (1985) came out, but something about their sound and subject matter made them seem more like the adults in the big room of New Wave bands from the day. The band, who will perform at Ak-Chin Pavilion on Friday, May 27, had a maturity and complexity that many of their MTV famous peers did not possess. Tears For Fears just seemed a bit more serious than the other, similar bands on the music television platform. Anthemic songs like “Change” and “Shout” didn’t do anything to dispel that argument. Throw in “Pale Shelter,” the aforementioned “Mad World” and the debut record’s title track, “The Hurting” and you had a level of emotional angst fastened and fleshed out by deliberately self-reflective lyrics and beautiful instrumentation in songs that many of their '80s New Wave peers could only try to emulate but never reach. Tom Reardon
Walter Where?House’s Season Closing Party
Saturday, May 28 Walter Where?House, 702 North 21st AvenuePopular art space and music venue Walter Where?House will wrap up its spring with one final blowout on Saturday night. EDM star Mark Farina will spin a blend of downtempo, house music, and “Mushroom Jazz” (which is described as a mix of “West Coast jazzy, organic productions combined with East Coast hip-hop [and] urban beats”). Classic disco ensemble The Sponges will open. Doors are at 9 p.m. Admission is $22 plus fees in advance and $26 plus fees on the day of the show. Benjamin Leatherman
Jack White
Saturday, May 28Arizona Federal Theatre, 400 West Washington Street Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record label co-founder Jack White has been an integral part of the indie and alt-rock music world since The White Stripes' White Blood Cells captured the nation's imagination in 2001. Building a solid reputation on being a skilled and crafty guitar player, White played his way through several bands before finally just releasing music on his own. Though The Raconteurs and Dead Weather are certainly places where White can stretch his creative muscles as a backing musician, his solo work is where he shines brightest. White released his fourth studio album, Fear of the Dawn, earlier this year. Supported by four singles, including "Hi-De-Ho," which features vocals from Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest, Fear of the Dawn has worked its way up the charts in countries across the world. His show on Saturday night at Arizona Federal Theatre starts at 8 p.m. and Chicano Batman opens. Tickets start at $65. David Fletcher
Rex Orange County
Saturday, May 28Mesa Amphitheatre, 263 North Center StreetAlexander James O'Connor, better known as singer-songwriter Rex Orange County, is famous for his clever lyrics and moody music. (Despite his stage name, the 23-year-old is British.) He’s scheduled to stop at Mesa Amphitheatre over Memorial Day weekend, giving fans the chance to sing along to songs like "Pluto Projector" and "Loving Is Easy." O'Connor dropped his fourth studio album, Who Cares?, back in March, inspiring NME's Sophie Williams to praise it as "another masterclass in heartfelt pop." Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are only available through resellers. Ashley-Anna Aboreden
Under Construction
Saturday, May 28, and Sunday, May 29Phoenix Raceway, 7602 Jimmie Johnson Drive, AvondaleLocal promoter Relentless Beats is bringing this two-day outdoor EDM festival headlined by Fisher and DJ/producers Chris Lake back for another year. The location may have changed (its moved across the Valley to Phoenix Raceway, RB’s new home for its large-scale events) but will offer just as much beats and bass as last year. Each night will feature Fisher and Lake performing a back-to-back set and different lineup of openers. To wit: Loco Dice, Anna, Joshwa, and Miane on Saturday with Hot Since 82, Eli & Fur, Cloonee, and Sosa performing on Sunday. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. General admission is $52.50 (plus fees) per night or $99.50 (plus fees) for both. Shuttle service is also available from downtown Tempe for $37 per person. Benjamin Leatherman
GWAR
Sunday, May 29Marquee Theatre, 730 North Mill Avenue, TempeLike Halley's Comet or the northern lights, a GWAR concert is something everyone should see at least once before they die. No, it doesn't matter if you don't like metal, and no, it doesn't matter if you think gimmick bands are ridiculous. GWAR has been putting on captivating, wild, and hilarious stage shows since the '80s in the face of any and every controversy that came after them, and every year, they get bigger, better, and even more (fake) bloody. For the uninitiated, GWAR's whole concept revolves around some convoluted sci-fi mythology in which the band members are barbaric intergalactic warriors fighting, well, whatever they want. The story doesn't really matter; it's in the way the band tells it, and after 30 years, it's gotten really good. It gets better. Death metal legends Goatwhore, bluegrass/thrash act The Native Howl, and melodic metal band Nekrogoblikon open for GWAR on their current tour, which is coming to the Marquee this month. One tip: wear clothes you don't mind getting ruined. Doors are at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $29.50 to $60. David Fletcher
Andy Warpigs Memorial Show
Sunday, May 29The Rhythm Room, 1019 East Indian School RoadIt’s been almost a year since the death of Andy Warpigs and the sting hasn’t faded. Warpigs’ fans and fellow musicians are still mourning the untimely passing of the altruistic local folk-punk artist, who was known for their “slick-tongued storytelling and relatable yet absurdist lyricism,” as well as an unending support for the Valley’s music and art scenes. A memorial show will be held in memory of Warpigs on Sunday evening with music from 20 Foot Neon Jesus, Ray Reeves, Serene Dominic, Sonny Morgan, and Shamehole. Local comedians Crikette Gill, Glendon Mcgee, Jorge Felix, David Kays will also perform and painters Joe Gonzalez and David Morgan will conduct live art sessions. Doors are at 6:30 p.m. and admission is $5. Benjamin Leatherman
