Phoenix, AZ—On November 12, 2024, Arms Akimbo and Stop Light Observations (SLO) thrilled the Valley Bar audience, each band offering a distinctive energy and captivating soundscape.
Southern California indie rockers Arms Akimbo brought their eclectic energy to Phoenix’s Valley Bar, blending late-1970s jam vibes with modern indie flair. The small venue buzzed as the band took the stage as the opener, clearly excited to close out their tour in such an intimate space.
Just a few songs in, lead singer Peter Schrupp paused to give a heartfelt shoutout to familiar fans, Ashley and her family, who have loyally attended every Arizona show. This warm moment kicked off their dynamic performance of “Tight Chest”, where Peter leaped across the stage and climbed on the monitor, leading the crowd in a Pixies-style, tambourine-heavy chorus. A highlight of the night was “Cruel Lovers,” followed by a slower, more introspective vibe with “The Party,” adding a unique synthesizer vocal effect to the mellow portion of their set. Arms Akimbo’s style felt like a 70s road trip soundtrack, as they balanced rock with soulful, folk-infused tones.
Their cover of Gwen Stefani’s “Sweet Escape” injected a burst of familiarity, with Schrupp teasing, “We’ll be embarrassed if you don’t know this song!” The crowd sang along, amplifying the communal feel of the night. Peter then introduced a new song, “Crowded Room,” capturing an introspective sound that felt deeply personal.
Toward the end of their 10-song set, Schrupp’s storytelling took center stage. Asking if there were “any elder emos in the crowd,” he wove humor into the backstory of “Paycheck,” a song inspired by the band’s brush with Hollywood fame and a measly $7 payment. The song’s post-pop, guitar-driven sound with a mid-90s Fountains of Wayne influence resonated with the audience, especially during the chant-like chorus, “I just wanna do something.” As they wrapped up with “What’s Ur Sign?”, Schrupp descended into the crowd, singing through the room and sharing an intimate, unforgettable finale. The band’s genuine, down-to-earth spirit shone as they headed to the merch table to greet fans, radiating gratitude and embracing their final night of the tour with the Phoenix crowd.
Arms Akimbo’s lively, indie-folk-infused sound, coupled with their genuine fan connection, left a lasting impression. It was a memorable send-off for a band whose energy and spirit captured the hearts of everyone in the room.
SET LIST
Parachute
Harder to Stay
Overrated
Tight Chest
Cruel Lovers
The Part
Sweet Escape, cover by Gwen Stefani
Crowded Room
Paycheck
What’s Ur Sign?
South Carolina quintet Stop Light Observations lit up the Phoenix stage as the headliner, delivering a show that felt both intimate and electric. They opened with the haunting “Dinosaur Bones,” where lead singer Williams Blackburn stood bathed in deep red light, creating an almost eerie campfire atmosphere. As he moved into their recent single, “LEVI,” Blackburn’s vocals captured the crowd, setting the tone for an emotionally charged evening.
“57 Chevy” followed, and its upbeat rhythm lifted the energy in the room, crescendoing through the audience. Just as the song waned, they launched into “Ozymandias,” a track resonating with the tension and undertones of current U.S. political discourse, adding depth to an already powerful set. This impactful moment transitioned smoothly into “Heals My Heart,” with a young woman in the front holding a sign for the song, a touching exchange that marked the night’s slow, soulful middle section.
The band then shifted into “bLUE.,” showcasing Blackburn’s vocal range, and followed with “Security” and “good to u.” As the tempo built, drummer Oleg Terentiev, guitarist Will Mahoney, and keyboardist Noah Jones crafted an intricate soundscape, blending seamlessly into the jazz-influenced “Purple People.” With “How Do U Feel?” the band moved to an almost doo-wop vibe, with Terentiev’s drumming powering the band’s sound.
The night hit a memorable high with “13Bullets, Pt. 1 & 2,” a track layered with indigenous American mysticism reminiscent of Blue Oyster Cult’s “Last Days of May.” This flowed effortlessly into “For Elizabeth,” where the crowd swayed in unison, singing along as if everyone were lifelong friends. This collective moment paved the way to their finale, “2 young.” The catchy radio-friendly hit, released six years ago, became a room-wide anthem, with Blackburn momentarily stepping away from the mic stand to dance across the stage. Mahoney’s guitar and Jones’ keys shone, creating a vibrant sound. The band exited the stage, leaving a riveting bass and drum solo before Terentiev’s resounding drum finale, then rejoined to finish “2 Young” with flair.
For the encore, SLO closed with “Aquarius Apocalyptic,” where Blackburn’s expressive movements during the chorus energized the room. As they chanted, “We are SLO… We really, really, really, really, really wanna know… How do you feel?” the crowd felt like family—a shared experience with a band that poured heart and soul into every note. This night was more than a performance; it was a shared, emotional journey with a band whose music and presence made you feel like you were part of something deeply special.
SET LIST
Dinosaur Bones
LEVI
8Teen
57chevy
Ozymandias
Heals My Heart
bLUE.
Security
good to u
Purple People
smooth little operator
how do u feel?
13Bullets, Pt. 1 & 2
For Elizabeth
2young
Encore
Aquarius Apocalyptic
Thank you, cover by Dido
