Why this Phoenix promoter postponed a concert due to ICE

A Phoenix DIY promoter has postponed a concert scheduled for this weekend, citing concerns over recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Arizona and elsewhere.

On Jan. 14, Phoenix promoter and collective The Coven announced on social media that it was moving its POWERS OUT #2 showcase to “at least October,” saying it did not want attendees to risk being targeted by ICE agents.

The concert, an annual celebration of the local DIY scene and its bands, was originally scheduled for Jan. 31 at Tempe DIY venue Joe’s Garage. It’s the first music event in Arizona to be postponed due to ICE activity.

“We cannot in good conscience put too many people on the street in a quiet neighborhood where they can become targets coming to or from what is supposed to be a yearly celebration of PHX DIY music and culture,” The Coven’s announcement read in part.

The postponement comes as federal immigration enforcement has drawn renewed attention nationwide and locally in recent weeks.

Since early 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has expanded enforcement efforts across the U.S., with reports of aggressive tactics during arrests and raids drawing national attention. Large-scale operations in Minnesota earlier this year led to mass arrests, widespread protests, and the shooting deaths of two people during related demonstrations, escalating scrutiny of federal enforcement practices.

In Arizona, those concerns intensified after ICE stepped up enforcement activity in recent weeks. On Monday, federal immigration agents carried out coordinated raids at multiple Zipps Sports Grill locations across the Valley.

The Coven also said its decision to postpone POWERS OUT #2 was not made lightly and followed what it described as ICE directly targeting people connected to its community, including Latinos.

“Now does not feel like the right time to convene in such large numbers,” The Coven stated in its announcement on Jan. 14. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a citizen or not, it’s clear they are targeting people based on their skin tone and asking the important questions later.”

‘I have little doubt it was the wrong call’

Briannin Gross, one of the organizers of The Coven, told Phoenix New Times that the DIY promoter and collective made the right decision in postponing POWERS OUT #2.

Gross, who identifies as “they/them,” says ICE activity in Arizona and other states in the weeks following The Coven’s announcement has only reinforced the reasoning behind the postponement.

“I have little doubt it was the wrong call,” Gross says.

Gross points to the makeup of the lineup and audience as a major factor.

“On top of all that, there are lots of bands of Hispanic descent that I have booked or would like to book who live in the East Valley who have dropped (our) or are hesitant to commit to show dates until this blows over,” Gross says.

They also cite the scale of the concert as a factor in its postponement.

“It’s one thing to do small events, but last year’s POWERS OUT had a thousand people come from all far-flung parts of the Valley,” Gross says. “And I just didn’t feel comfortable increasing the odds that more people I know would be arrested or detained by ICE.”

Gross says even with postponing POWERS OUT #2 until October, they aren’t certain if the situation with ICE will be resolved by then.

“I don’t honestly know if this will be over by October, but it gives us time at least to see,” Gross says.

Are Phoenix concert venues and promoters prepared for ICE?

Gross says the postponement of their concert raises a bigger question about whether Phoenix’s music scene is ready if ICE starts showing up at venues or concerts.

“Absolutely,” Gross says. “It may not be as likely for all events or venues, but the issue is we just do not know what may be coming next, as Zipps demonstrated.”

Gross says The Coven has already put plans in place for future events, including a trans-affirming surgery benefit on Friday at Central Records.

“If venues regularly check for weapons or guns at the door, which is arguably just as likely or unlikely, it’s the least we can do,” Gross says. “If the local venue industry is doing it, DIY and smaller promoters should be too, or at least keeping it in mind.”

New Times reached out to several Phoenix concert venues and promoters to ask if they have plans or protocols in place if ICE were to show up at events.

Michelle Donovan, co-owner of Nile Theater and The Rosetta Room in Mesa, was among the few promoters or venue operators to respond as of Thursday. She told New Times via email that both venues have reviewed procedures aimed at protecting staff, patrons and artists.

“My focus has been educating our staff on what we can and cannot do and where ICE is allowed and not,” Donovan says. “We have a reference guide posted in our group chat.”

Gross says having protocols in place could carry a risk for those enforcing them.

“That also means going down with the ship,” they say. “There’s a likelihood that if you’re the one at the door stalling, you may get arrested and held for a few hours or worse. That’s something people have to be ready for.”