Best concerts in Phoenix in August 2022: The Weeknd, Motley Crue – The Arizona Republic

August brings two very different concert tours to State Farm Stadium.
One is the twice-delayed Stadium Tour, a field day for fans of the hair-metal ’80s with Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison and an act that’s sure to get a great reaction without necessarily having anything to do with that aesthetic: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. 
The other is the Weeknd’s first appearance in the Valley since 2017. 
You’ll also find a lot of smaller shows to choose from in our monthly concert guide for metro Phoenix, from Teyana Taylor, Peter Hook and Shakey Graves at the Van Buren to George Clinton coming out of retirement, as expected, with Parliament-Funkadelic at the Marquee.
What was Alice Cooper like in high school? Friends share their stories
This tour was originally planned for 2020 — the 20th anniversary of “White Ladder” being picked up by Dave Matthews’ label, ATO, and rereleased. It was originally released on Gray’s own label two years earlier, so the album itself is 24 years old, but COVID-19 kept the English folk singer from celebrating the album that made him a global sensation until now. And “White Ladder” definitely earned itself a victory lap.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2. Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. $55.50-$75.50. 800-282-4842, etix.com.
Dubbed “the most reliable maker of No. 1 singles in country music” by Variety, Rhett has topped the Billboard country airplay charts no fewer than 17 times. His hits include multiplatinum “It Goes Like That,” “Get Me Some of That,” “Make Me Wanna,” and “Look What God Gave Her.” The Bring the Bar to You Tour features special guests Parker McCollum and Conner Smith.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $35.50 and up. 602-254-7200, livenation.com.
Mr. Lucky’s has sold. This is what made the concert venue iconic and what’s next
This is Third Eye Blind’s first show in metro Phoenix since October 2020, when they headlined the opening night of a socially distanced drive-in concert series in the parking lot of the Arizona State Fairgrounds, the stage surrounded on all sides by rows of cars. That was a really fun night. They’re joined at this more conventional venue by Taking Back Sunday and Hockey Dad on the latest installment of their Summer Gods Tour. 
Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4. Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $39.50 and up. 800-745-300, ticketmaster.com
These Grammy-winning hard-rock veterans will be joined by special guests the Pretty Reckless, the Warning and Lilith Czar. Founded by siblings Lzzy and Arejay Hale in their teens, Halestorm have surpassed a billion streams and sold out shows around the globe with the San Jose Mercury News declaring them “the best hard rock band in the world” after a show last November. 
Details: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5. Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $29.50 and up. 800-745-300, ticketmaster.com
Josh Tillman is touring the States in support of “Chloë and the Next 20th Century,” his fifth studio effort as Father John Misty. The album earned a perfect score at NME, whose critic weighed in: “Besides its flirtations with big band-style instrumentals, ‘Chloë and the Next 20th Century’ serves as a gorgeously crafted highlight reel of the singer’s many previous styles and guises, rather than a complete reinvention.” 
Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $48; $45 in advance. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.
This multi-faceted entertainer — singer, actor, dancer, choreographer — has sent two albums to the top of Billboard’s R&B charts while pulling in raves from the critics. She’s touring in support of “The Album,” a soulful masterstroke Clash Music praised for its “profusion of standout tracks that invite you into Teyana’s world of emotions, sex and vulnerability,” concluding “We have no choice but to stan.”
Details: 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $34.50-$39.50. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com
On “Draw Down the Moon,” produced by Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull, they continue the growth they displayed on the masterful “Nearer My God.” Under the Radar called it Foxing’s “most focused and accomplished album yet” while Paste noted that Foxing have long been on the shortlist of our most ambitious bands and that this album “confirms they’ll keep going for broke for the foreseeable future.”
Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $18. 602-296-7013, therebellounge.com.
The mullet-rocking singer arrives in support of “Cowboy Tears,” a collection of songs he says are “cowboy emo,” with support from singer-songwriter-producer Jawny and alternative viral sensation Huddy. In an interview with the Columbus Dispatch, Tree talked about what concertgoers can expect. “There’s something for everybody,” he said. “There’s a lot of theatrics. You’ll find anything from scooter tricks to belly dancing to WWF wrestling.” He’s kind of a goof that way.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $39.50 and up. 800-745-300, ticketmaster.com
After announcing his retirement in 2018, George Clinton assembled the latest edition of Parliament Funkadelic and hit the very funky road on the One Nation Under a Groove Tour in 2019, playing sold-out gigs across the country. As our headline noted when that tour played Phoenix, “George Clinton doesn’t seem ready to give up the funk on Parliament-Funkadelic farewell tour.” And here we are. The last time was a blast. This should be every bit as entertaining. 
Details: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe. $52-$70. 480-829-0607, luckymanonline.com
The most important question here is obviously, “Is Steve Stevens in the band?” He is, so that’s a “buy your ticket now” for anyone who grew up on those Billy Idol records in the ’80s. He’s touring in support of last year’s Butch Walker-produced “The Roadside” EP, Idol’s first release in seven years, which USA Today described as “instilled with renewed vigor.” And for those of you who may be thinking you’d just rather hear “White Wedding,” “Rebel Yell” and “Dancing with Myself?” Those were among his most-played songs on last year’s set lists. 
Details: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12. Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. Sold out. 602-267-1600, celebritytheatre.com.
Big Time Rush became an overnight sensation in 2009 with the launch of the Nickelodeon TV series “Big Time Rush.” The show was a huge success that made the members of the made-for-TV band actual pop stars, much like the Monkees before them, as they went on to release three albums and perform across the globe. They’ve reunited for their first headlining tour in more than a decade. 
Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $35 and up. 800-745-300, ticketmaster.com
This Mexican-American singer-songwriter and TV personality is known for his work in the regional Mexican music genre, especially banda, norteño and norteño-nanda. Hernandez released his first solo album, “Contella Norteña,” in 1998, breaking through in 2009 with the release of “16 Narco Corridos,” which took the singer one day to record and peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Latin albums chart. 
Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. $35-$100. 602-267-1600, celebritytheatre.com.
This unassuming bedroom pop sensation just released his anticipated follow-up to 2019’s “Pari Mi.” Recorded in Mexico City, “Fantasy Gateway” was inspired by the singer’s psychedelic experiences and a desire to go deeper and explore the good, the bad and the ugly of the person he’s becoming. In a press release, he said, “This album is a culmination of my growth process over the last few years, I’m excited for everyone to experience it.”
Details: 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $35; $32.50 in advance. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.
This is a tour celebrating the 45th anniversary of “Waiting for Columbus” on which they plan to replicate the track list of their first live album, including such Little Feat staples as “Dixie Chicken,” “Sailin’ Shoes” and “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now.” They’re joined by Hot Tuna Acoustic.
Details: 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15. Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. $30-$97. 602-267-1600, celebritytheatre.com.
The alternative R&B singer arrives in support of “Serpentina,” an album hailed as nothing less than a “creative masterpiece” by Clash Music, whose critic said it “bursts with character, her true persona visible as she sheds off her skin like a true serpent.” She’s joined by Lauren Jauregui and Samoht.
Details: 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $35. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com
The Last Goodbye Tour is named for an album called “The Last Goodbye.” These guys are way too young to stage a farewell tour. In scaling up to rooms with capacities surpassing 20,000, they’re among the first electronica acts to play an amphitheater run of this stature. They’ll be joined by Sylvan Esso, San Holo and Gilligan Moss on a tour designed to be carbon negative through a partnership with environmental nonprofit REVERB. 
Details: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $39.50 and up. 602-254-7200, livenation.com.
Christian Anthony and Mitchel Cave first got together in 2012 as members of What About Tonight, which they assembled to compete on Season 4 of the Australian version of “The X Factor.” They’re joined in Chase Atlantic by Cave’s older brother, Clinton. They made the cover of last year’s edition of Alternative Press’ 100 Bands You Need to Know. The magazine praised them for having “found their corner of the alternative genre and … marked it with their names.”
Details: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17. Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $35 and up. 800-745-300, ticketmaster.com
Alejandro Rose-Garcia had one decidedly unusual goal going into the making of the latest Shakey Graves release, the weirdly wonderful “Can’t Wake Up.” “I wanted it to be vaguely ‘Wizard of Oz’-themed, and I wanted it to be hectic and a little uncomfortable, like what I refer to as the Big Five Disney cartoons: ‘Pinocchio,’ ‘Fantasia,’ ‘Snow White,’ ‘Dumbo’ and ‘Bambi,'” the singer explained in a press release. “All those movies are terrifying — some of the most stressful movies I’ve ever seen.” The end result is, not surprisingly, one very trippy ride through Rose-Garcia’s rich imagination. 
Details: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $32-$37. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.
These Massachusetts metalheads approach their brand of stoner rock with a heavy side of psychedelic prog. And they’ve done so to brilliant effect on “Omens,” an album Sputnikmusic praised as an excellent next step in Elder’s “sonic evolution,” adding “All the noodling and meticulous structure developments paid off, since all songs flow impressively smooth.”
Details: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $16. 602-296-7013, therebellounge.com.
The Night Sweats are touring in support of “The Future.” Uncut hailed their latest effort as “an instant classic,” Mojo declared it “a giant leap forward” and Rolling Stone said the title track “kicks off sounding like the Bob Dylan of ‘Desire’ if he’d recorded that album at Muscle Shoals.”
Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18. Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $49.50 and up. 800-745-300, ticketmaster.com
Chris Brown is among the most successful R&B stars of his generation, with three chart-topping albums and a steady stream of multi-platinum singles. His biggest hits include “Run It,” “Kiss Kiss” and “Go Crazy.” Lil Baby broke through in 2017 with the platinum “My Dawg,” going on to multi-platinum success with “Freestyle,” “Yes Indeed,” “Drip Too Hard” and “On Me.”
Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $29.50 and up. 602-254-7200, livenation.com.
The Never Ending Summer Tour finds OneRepublic joined by NEEDTOBREATHE. Led by Ryan Tedder, OneRepublic hit the mainstream in 2007 with “Apologize,” a quadruple-platinum smash that briefly held the record for most airplay in a single week. Their other hits include the multi-platinum “Good Life,” and their biggest hit to date, 2013’s 10-times-platinum “Counting Stars.”
Details: 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $30.50 and up. 602-254-7200, livenation.com.
In the 27 years since their first album, “Fungus Amongus,” Incubus have sent four singles to the top of the Billboard alternative-songs chart: “Drive” (2000), “Megalomaniac” (2003), “Anna Molly” (2006) and “Love Hurts” (2008). Other hits include “Pardon Me,” “Stellar,” “Wish You Were Here” and “Adolescents.” They’re joined by special guests Sublime with Rome and the Aquadolls.
Details: 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $25 and up. 602-254-7200, livenation.com.
They emerged from Liverpool in 1980 with a debut titled “Crocodiles” that placed them squarely at the forefront of the neo-psychedelic movement. Rolling Stone responded with a four-star rave that noted, “Singer-guitarist Ian McCulloch specializes in a sort of apocalyptic brooding, combining Jim Morrison-style psychosexual yells, a flair for David Bowie-like vocal inflections and the nihilistic bark of his punk peers into a disturbing portrait of the singer as a young neurotic.”
Details: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $44.50-50. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com
This Texas blues guitarist arrives in continued support of a great new album, “Baby, Please Come Home,” on which he leaves a very soulful mark on classic songs from a variety of genres, including Memphis soul, country, blues and R&B. He’s a crowd-pleasing bandleader, playing guitar behind his head while fronting a stage full of stellar musicians, including organ, upright bass, trombone and sax. 
Details: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24. MIM Music Theater, Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. $54.50-$80.50. 480-478-6000, mim.org.
How Duane Eddy invented his signature sound in Phoenix: ‘We were all experimenting’
The noise-rock veterans arrive in support of “Disco 4: Part II,” an album of collaborations ranging from old tourmates Nine Inch Nails to tracks with Lamb of God, the Neighbourhood and Poppy. It made Revolver’s list of 2022’s best albums (so far) and DIY Magazine raved “While these tracks are testament to how well the LA trio can build an astronomical sense of atmosphere, they can create icy harshness with equal brilliance.”
Details: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. $25; $23 in advance. 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com
These San Diego rockers earned raves in 2010 for an album called “King of the Beach,” the title of which did a brilliant of capturing the essence of their charm. Twelve years later, they’re still going strong, as evidenced by the infectious songcraft at the heart of last year’s “Hideaway,” produced by TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek, which DIY Magazine praised as “their most varied collection so far.” 
Details: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24. Rebel Lounge, 2303 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $20. 602-296-7013,  therebellounge.com.
Motley Crue will make their first appearance in the Valley since 2015, when the Final Tour, for which they famously signed a “cessation of touring agreement,” made its second stop in Phoenix. It’s good to have them back, especially after a year and a half of “cessation of touring” for the world at large. They’re joined by two Rock and Roll Hall of Famers — Def Leppard and a group whose love of rock ‘n’ roll is a matter of record, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts — as well as Poison, who somehow haven’t done a Valley concert since the Glam-a-Geddon Tour (with Motley Crue and New York Dolls) in 2011.
Details: 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25. State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Way, Glendale. $99.50 and up. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
The rapper who managed to launch a career after sharing his music on MySpace back when that was still a thing arrives on the eve of releasing an animated music series called “Entergalactic” on Netflix. A studio album also titled “Entergalactic” will accompany the series. The first single “Do What I Want” was released on all platforms in June. That song he shared on MySpace, by the way, was “Day ‘n’ Nite,” a five-times-platinum smash that peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and caught the ear of soon-to-be collaborator, label chief and mentor Kanye West.
Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. $64.50 and up. 602-379-7800, ticketmaster.com.
Having taken one of modern metal’s greatest band names from a fatal blow in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill: Vol. 2,” Five Finger Death Punch have sent 12 singles to the top of Billboard’s Mainstream Rock charts, from “Coming Down” to the title track of this year’s “AfterLife,” their ninth studio album. They’re joined by Megadeth, the HU and Fire From The Gods.
Details: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $25 and up. 602-254-7200, livenation.com.
This Baton Rouge rapper followed through on a string of career-building mixtapes by hitting the charts at No. 2 with his first proper studio album, 2016’s double-platinum “Islah.” That album spawned his first Top 40 entry on the Billboard Hot 100, the quadruple-platinum “2 Phones.” Other hits include “I Don’t Get Tired,” “Really Really,” “Time For That” and “Me Too.” He arrives on the Big Lyfe Tour, in support of “Khaza,” his third studio release.
Details: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26. Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $39.50 and up. 800-745-300, ticketmaster.com. 
The Kansas City rockers who gave the emo kids “Something to Write Home About” are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their first release, “Four Minute Mile,” which they’ll perform in its entirety as well as dusting off the “Woodson” EP. They’re joined by kindred spirits Sparta.
Details: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26. The Nile, 105 W. Main St., Mesa. $25. 480-559-5859, eventbrite.com.
These California punks brought home raves in 2012 for a spirited nine-song blast of old-school pop-punk songcraft called “Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired,” seven songs of which they managed to bring in under the two-minute mark. A decade later, it’s pretty clear that what that album title really needed was a parenthetical “(Except This Kind of Music)” — if “40 oz. to Fresno,” the 17-minute whirlwind of catchy caffeinated punk songs they released in June, is any indication.
Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $30- $35 in advance. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com
As a young man, Steve Earle was famously mentored by three songwriting giants — Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark and Jerry Jeff Walker. In 2009, he returned the favor to Van Zandt, releasing a heartfelt tribute album titled “Townes.” A decade later, he turned his attentions to Clark on the equally touching tribute album “Guy.” Now, he’s touring the States in support of an album titled “Jerry Jeff” honoring Walker, who died in 2021.
Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. Talking Stick Resort, Loop 101 and Pima Road, Salt River Reservation. $30 and up. 480-850-7734, talkingstickresort.com.
This is the Killers’ first Valley appearance since 2017, when they headlined Lost Lake Music Festival — where, as we noted at the time, they were received like proper rock gods. They’re joined by Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, who was supposed to have opened the tour the Killers had to cancel due to COVID-19 (so, you know, don’t be late). They’re touring on “Pressure Machine,” their seventh straight release to top the U.K. charts. It peaked at No. 9 here; still a long way off from shabby for a seventh album. 
Details: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28. Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale. $59.50 and up. 623-772-3800, ticketmaster.com
The former Dr. Noah Drake will celebrate the 40th anniversary of “Working Class Dog,” the breakthrough album that gave the world “Jessie’s Girl,” on a tour billed as the ’80s Tour of the Year with Men At Work and John Waite. “Jessie’s Girl” picked up a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance and spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100. I could tell you that I love it, but the point is probably moot.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29. Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. $57-$125. 602-267-1600, celebritytheatre.com.
Stevie Nicks homecoming concert: The Fleetwood Mac singer is coming to Phoenix
Peter Hook launched the Light in 2010 to celebrate the life of former bandmate Ian Curtis with a live performance of “Unknown Pleasures” in full on the 30th anniversary of the Joy Division singer’s death. Since then, he’s expanded the scope of his tribute to include his other former band, New Order. This time out, he’s playing Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasures” and “Closer” albums with an opening set of New Order material.
Details: 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $35; $32.50 in advance. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.
This is the Weeknd’s first stadium tour. It’s also his first Valley concert since 2017. He’s released two albums since his last tour — 2020’s double-platinum “After Hours,” which topped the U.S. charts and sent three singles to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100, and this year’s “Dawn FM.” Between those two releases, he headlined the Super Bowl LV halftime show in Tampa. The After Hours Til Dawn Tour, named for both those recent albums, includes Doja Cat, who topped the Billboard Hot 100 with the five-times-platinum “Say So.” 
Details: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30. State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Way, Glendale. Resale ticket prices vary and tend to fluctuate. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
Shawn Mendes cancels all tour dates: Here’s how to get a ticket refund
The sound of classic British post-punk is alive and well on Idles’ latest livewire of an album, “Crawler.” After easing you into the chaos with the sleepy atmosphere and pouted vocals of a leadoff track that simmers for a full four minutes without boiling over the way you thought it would, it moves from strength to strength. Every track is a highlight, from the menacing swagger of “The Wheel” to the throbbing bass and skronking sax of “Meds.” The Observer says the best tracks “offer thrills that can’t be denied, a preposterously exciting scrapyard soul.”
Details: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $30-$35. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.
A modern soul collective formed by childhood friends Tom McFarland and Josh Lloyd-Watson in London, they were shortlisted for the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2014 on the strength of a very funky self-titled debut. Mojo praised them for skillfully replicating “the sexy patinas of their varied influences” while DIY magazine proclaimed them “a spectacular live band.” Last year’s “Loving in Stereo” made year-end critics’ lists at Mojo, Far Out Magazine and AV Club (and deservedly so).
Details: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $38; $35 in advance. 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com
Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

source

More To Explore

Solverwp- WordPress Theme and Plugin