With temperatures soaring well above 110 degrees outside, Kurt Vile and the Violators brought a welcome change of pace to Phoenix, Arizona. Ryan Davis and the Roadhouse Band kicked things off with a short set that established the tone before Vile delivered the cool, laid-back atmosphere that filled the Van Buren and made for an ideal Friday night.
The crowd at the show was something special. From young kids to elders, businesspeople to bikers, cowboys to hippies, it was an amazing thing to witness. Kurt’s music clearly reaches across generations, and the diversity of the audience was proof of the connection his songs create. It’s a testament to Vile’s songwriting and the chemistry of the band.
Vile has his own sound, and you know it’s him from a mile away. His voice and guitar flow together like no one else’s, and the packed house responded in kind, singing and dancing along from start to finish. The show seemed to fly by, but Vile played for nearly three hours. Mary Mary of Chandler, Arizona, said, “I was a little disappointed in how short the show was. I could have and would have stayed all night.” A performance that still felt too short says plenty about the night.
Born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, Vile has built a lasting career as a singer, songwriter, and producer with more than 10 studio albums to his name. His extensive catalog was on full display throughout the evening, including an acoustic jam that became a highlight of the night and offered a different side of his sound. The performance was a reminder of the lasting appeal of Vile’s catalog after years of making music.
Setlist:
Red Room Dub
Zoom 97
Hey Like a Child
Rock’o Srone
99 BPM
Blackberry Song
Girl Called Alex
Chance to Bleed
Like Exploding Stones
Mount Airy Hill
Pretty Pimpin
Wakin on a Pretty Day
