Coheed and Cambria and Taking Back Sunday co-headlined Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, AZ, on September 16. The two bands co-headlined a summer tour together in 2018, including a stop in the Valley to close out that run, making this latest show a highly anticipated return for local fans. This evening’s show, originally slated for September 14 at Arizona Financial Theatre, almost didn’t come to fruition due to an issue with the venue’s water; however, the teams at Live Nation and Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre pulled together a last-minute venue change later in the week, ensuring fans didn’t miss out on what turned out to be an unforgettable night. Supporting the two bands on this tour was special guest Foxing.

Foxing came out swinging, bringing an impressive energy to the stage that set the tone for the evening. The Midwest emo/post-rock/indie rock band out of St. Louis, Missouri, kicked off their set with a trio of tracks from their newest album, Foxing, released in 2024: “Secret History,” “Spit,” and “Hell 99.” Between frontman Conor Murphy’s passionate screams and guitarist Eric Hudson’s electric stage presence, the crowd was hooked from the start. Both Hudson and bassist Brett Torrence were in constant motion, jumping and swinging their instruments, while Murphy’s screams were so powerful they brought him to his knees on multiple occasions. The band ended on a high note, closing out with “Rory,” a track from their 2014 debut album, The Albatross, which featured a trumpet solo from Murphy. 

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Just before Taking Back Sunday was set to take the stage, the lights dimmed, and a video montage of backstage moments and performances played on the screen. Adam Lazzara and gang kicked things off with “A Decade Under the Influence,” a track from the band’s second album, Where You Want To Be, which celebrated its 20 year anniversary last year. The 16-song setlist featured favorites from across their entire catalog, include tracks like “S’Old,” “Set Phasers to Stun,” “Liar (It Takes One To Know One),” and “You’re So Last Summer.” The band sounded better than they have in years, with Adam Lazzara’s vocal delivery on point. Nostalgia was at an all-time high, and the addition of Fred Mascherino — stepping in while guitarist John Nolan recovers from spinal surgery — added an extra layer to that feeling. The band took a moment to send their well wishes to John, with Mascherino noting that he hopes to play a few shows with him once he’s ready to return to the stage. Lazzara then joked, “Don’t tell them what we’re talking about,” hinting that something may be in the works. Shaun Cooper, Nathan Hogan, Lazzara, and Mascherino commanded the stage, keeping the energy high and the momentum going throughout the entire set. Lazzara danced around the stage, swinging his mic, while the crowd moshed and sent crowd surfers over the barricade, screaming lyrics at the top of their lungs. They finished out the set with “Flicker, Fade,” “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut From the Team),” and “MakeDamnSure,” with those last two songs sending the crowd into a frenzy — voices shouting every word, bodies moving, and decades of emotion pouring out from fans who’ve held onto these songs for over 20 years. Tour with Cohered and Cambria has officially wrapped, but the band has several shows on the horizon. They are set to perform at Aftershock festival and When We Were Young, along with a headlining When We Were Young Sideshow. They also recently announced their 11th annual Holiday Spectacular with two dates in New York at Mulcahy’s and two dates in New Jersey at Starland Ballroom. 

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As the lights dimmed and the opening notes rang out, it was clear Coheed and Cambria were ready to take the night to another level. The band opened with “Goodbye, Sunshine,” a track from their recently released album, Vaxis- Act III: The Father of Make Believe. For those who are not familiar with Coheed and Cambria, with the exception of one album, all of their releases are concept albums based on a science fiction storyline called “The Amory Wars.” The series, written by Coheed and Cambria frontman Claudio Sanchez, has been made into a series of comic books, as well as a full length novel. Following “Blood Red Summer,” a large creature that looked like something straight out of a sci-fi movie towered over drummer Josh Eppard at the back of the stage. The creature, along with a vivid light show and visuals on the large LED screen, helped bring Coheed and Cambria’s sci-fi narrative to life. While the setlist featured many songs from their newest album, favorites from their vast discography were scattered throughout, including tracks like “The Suffering,” “A Favor House Atlantic,” and “Shoulders.” Claudio’s unmistakable voice and guitar shredding were absolutely top tier, showcasing the skill that has made him a standout frontman for decades. The crowd fed off every note, singing at the top of their lungs, fists in the air, completely locked into the moment. The band closed their set with “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3,” before returning for a 4-song encore, including a surprising cover of The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside,” which saw the crowd go crazy. The closed out their set with the iconic “Welcome Home,” and judging by the audience’s response, it was exactly the ending everyone was hoping for. The band has officially wrapped their tour with Taking Back Sunday. After a couple weeks off, the band will head overseas for shows in the UK and Europe, before headlining the S.S. Neverender cruise, which will set sail November 8-13 from Miami to Cozumel. Coheed and Cambria always puts on a show to remember. Make sure to catch them next time they roll through your city!

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