You've probably noticed the traffic lately. Honestly, if you live anywhere near downtown or Glendale, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The Valley isn't just a stopover for B-tier tours anymore; it’s basically become the concert capital of the Southwest for 2026.
We are looking at a year where Lady Gaga is taking over Glendale for Valentine's weekend and Ed Sheeran is literally trying to fit half the state into State Farm Stadium. It’s wild. If you're hunting for upcoming concerts in phoenix az, you’re not just looking at a few shows—you’re looking at a full-blown cultural shift.
The days of just "checking who's at the Van Buren" are over. Don't get me wrong, the Van Buren is still great. But the sheer volume of stadium-sized tours hitting the desert this year is something we haven't seen in a long time.
The Heavy Hitters: Stadium and Arena Takeovers
Let’s get the big ones out of the way because they’re going to sell out fast. If they haven’t already.
First off, Lady Gaga is bringing her "Mayhem Ball Tour" to Desert Diamond Arena on February 14 and 15. Doing two nights in Glendale is a flex, but it makes sense for her. Expect towering visuals and, well, chaos. It's Gaga.
Then there’s the WM Phoenix Open. People usually go for the golf and the drinking, but The Killers are playing the "Concert in the Coliseum" on January 31. That 16th hole is basically a stadium at this point anyway. If you want something a bit more nostalgic but equally massive, My Chemical Romance is hitting Chase Field on September 6. They’re doing The Black Parade in its entirety, which is basically an emo kid’s dream come true.
Here’s a quick look at the major venue highlights for the first half of the year:
January 2026
💡 You might also like: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
- Duran Duran: January 5 at Mortgage Matchup Center (the arena formerly known as Footprint).
- TWICE: The K-pop legends land on January 28.
- The Temptations: Bringing the soul to Mesa Arts Center on January 20.
February - March 2026
- Cardi B: Headlining Mortgage Matchup Center on March 1.
- Nine Inch Nails: Trent Reznor is back at Desert Diamond Arena on March 6.
- Zara Larsson: Playing a more intimate set at The Van Buren on March 8.
- Conan Gray: Bringing the "Wishbone World Tour" to Glendale on March 13.
Why the Venue Names Keep Changing
It’s confusing, right? You’ve lived here five years and you still call it America West Arena. Or US Airways. Or Talking Stick.
Basically, the arena downtown is currently the Mortgage Matchup Center. It’s the same place where the Suns play. Across town, the Coyotes' old home is Desert Diamond Arena. These are the spots for the $150+ tickets and the pyrotechnics.
If you want the outdoor vibe, Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre (formerly Ak-Chin Pavilion) is where the summer heat meets the lawn seats. Jack Johnson is playing there on October 6, and Evanescence is stopping by with Spiritbox on July 15. Pro tip: if you’re doing the lawn in July, hydrate. Seriously. It’s a literal oven out there.
The Mid-Size Magic
Not everyone wants to see a hologram from 200 yards away. Sometimes you want to actually see the sweat on the performer's face.
The Van Buren and Arizona Financial Theatre are the sweet spots for this. RAYE is playing the Financial Theatre on May 7. If you haven't seen her live, you're missing out on one of the best vocalists in the game right now.
Over at The Van Buren, you've got acts like Jesse & Joy on February 1 and Calum Scott in April. The sound in that building is surprisingly crisp for an old vintage auto dealership.
📖 Related: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
Festivals: More Than Just Dust and Heat
Phoenix in the spring is peak festival season. We have Innings Festival (Feb 20-22) which usually draws the baseball crowd and the indie-rock fans.
Then there’s Breakaway Music Festival at Sloan Park in April. It’s an EDM-heavy lineup with names like Marshmello and Kygo. If you’re more into the underground scene, M3F remains the go-to because the profits actually go to charity.
Local Spots You’re Overlooking
Don’t sleep on The Rebel Lounge or Crescent Ballroom.
Crescent is basically the heart of the downtown scene. You can grab a burrito at Cocina 10 and then watch a band like Sudan Archives (January 17) in a room that feels like a secret club.
The Rebel Lounge is smaller. Grittier. It’s where you go to see a band before they start charging $80 for a "convenience fee." gavn! is playing there on January 18. It’s loud, it’s cramped, and it’s exactly what live music should feel like.
Practical Advice for Phoenix Concert-Goers
Parking downtown is a nightmare. There’s no other way to put it. If you’re going to the Mortgage Matchup Center, take the Light Rail. Your concert ticket usually counts as your fare anyway (check the back of the ticket/app).
In Glendale, the parking at Westgate is plentiful but getting out after a Gaga show? You'll be sitting in your car for an hour. Grab a drink or some food at Yard House and let the traffic clear out first.
👉 See also: The Reality of Sex Movies From Africa: Censorship, Nollywood, and the Digital Underground
A few quick tips for 2026:
- Water: Most venues allow one factory-sealed water bottle. Check the venue site. Don't be the person fainting in the pit.
- Clear Bags: Most venues (especially the big ones) require clear bags. Don't bring your favorite leather tote; security will make you hike back to your car.
- Resale: If a show says "Sold Out," check the official box office first. Scalpers are rampant in AZ, and sometimes "platinum" seats drop in price the day of the show.
What People Get Wrong About the Scene
Most people think Phoenix is just a "Country and Classic Rock" town.
Sure, Zach Bryan and Ed Sheeran will sell out State Farm Stadium. But look at the 2026 calendar. We have TWICE, Cardi B, and Nine Inch Nails all within a few months of each other. The diversity of upcoming concerts in phoenix az is actually pretty impressive.
We’ve moved past being a retirement community for legacy acts. We’re a primary market now.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Show
Stop waiting for "the right time" to buy tickets. With the way tour routing works in 2026, if you miss the Phoenix date, the next closest stop is usually Vegas or LA, and those tickets are always more expensive.
- Check the Calendar: Bookmark the official venue sites rather than just relying on Google.
- Sign up for Presales: Follow the venues on Instagram. They post presale codes in their stories all the time.
- Validate your Tickets: Only buy through verified platforms like Ticketmaster or AXS. Phoenix has a huge problem with fake tickets being sold on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
Go see a show. Support the local venues like Valley Bar or The Nash if you aren't feeling the arena vibes. The music is there; you just have to show up.