The Weeknd during his After Hours Til Dawn tour stop at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium in May.
Jim Louvau
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.
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Post Malone at State Farm Arena in Glendale on June 21.
Neil Schwartz Photography
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.
Chaz Fertal blows his horn during the set from The Peeling Ceilings Phoenix Rock Lottery 2025 in January.
Neil Schwartz Photography
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.
Saturn III during their set at LöFest in January.
Neil Schwartz Photography
Audience members at LöFest were encouraged to express themselves. One individual used hula hoops.
Neil Schwartz Photography
Sparks fly between Joey Gutos and Agnia del Carmen during the set by Ten Souls at Phoenix Rock Lottery in January.
Neil Schwartz Photography
Shredding action from Slayer’s Kerry King at Mesa’s Nile Theater on Feb. 19.
A fan surfs atop the crowd during the Kerry King show on Feb. 19.
The All-American Rejects brought their A-game to Innings Fest 2025 in February.
Rattlesnake Suitcase and their “wrestling pal” at the Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble in February.
Neil Schwartz Photography
Rattlesnake Suitcase and a crowd member look for Waldo at the Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble.
Neil Schwartz Photography
Country musician Evan Horner catches some air at Extra Innings 2025 in February.
Neil Schwartz Photography
Justice were a more than mighty headliner for day two of M3F Fest 2025.
Local singer UPSAHL had a good enough start for day two of M3F Fest 2025.
Guitarist Stephen Carpenter of Deftones during the band’s Phoenix concert in March.
Igor Amadeus Cavalera, left, and Max Calavera rock out during the Cavalera set at The Van Buren in March.
Neil Schwartz Photography
Kendrick Lamar performs at State Farm Stadium on May 27.
Phoenix band Journal plays The Rosetta Room in Mesa on June 11.
Black Francis aka Frank Black of Pixies during the band’s show at The Van Buren in June.
Neil Schwartz Photography
Wu-Tang Clan at PHX Arena (now Mortgage Matchup Center) on June 18, 2025.
Neil Schwartz Photography
Katy Perry’s Lifetimes tour played PHX Arena (now Mortgage Matchup Center) in July.
Neil Schwartz Photography
Primus at Arizona Financial Theatre on Aug. 1, 2025.
Neil Schwartz Photography
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal performed as DJ Diesel when his Bass All-Stars came to Rawhide in Chandler on Aug. 16.
Lil Wayne brought Tha Carter VI Tour Celebrating 20+ years of Carter Classics to Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on Aug. 29.
“Weird Al” Yankovic kicks the air during his concert on Aug. 31 at Arizona Financial Theatre.
Fireworks over the main stage at Goldrush Music Festival at Rawhide in September
Ice Cube at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale on Sept. 30.
Shock rocker Alice Cooper in action at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on Oct. 22.
Judas Priest delivers the riffs at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on Oct. 22.
MGK rocks the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale on Nov. 18.