The Deadbeat Cousins
Last Saturday was a special night here in Phoenix as Kongos announced a return to Arizona and Last Exit Live after moving to Austin, TX three years ago. Ticket sales exploded quickly as those long time fans like this reviewer scrambled to procure tickets for what was to be a special night.
The night kicked off with opener The Deadbeat Cousins, a local quintet who wasted no time turning the venue’s low-lit stage into a rolling wave of percussion and groove. Their set started steady but quickly hit stride by the second song, blending tight rhythms with that easy confidence that comes only from a band that’s played together long enough to read each other’s pulse. “So What?”—a new track slated for release in 2026—had the guitarist stepping up on vocals while keeping rhythm, trading energy easily with the bassist, whose voice cut clean through the mix over bright guitar licks and a steady drumline.
“Come On Now” was an early highlight, a hooky number that had the crowd mouthing along before they even knew the words. Jared, on guitar, was introduced mid-song under a wash of orange and teal lights, the band leaning into a 70s rock spirit—swagger, soul, and thick layers of percussion that pulled the audience deeper into the groove. “Time Is Up” followed, a crisp, singalong track that cemented their control of the room.
Last Exit Live amplified every note as the band eased into “Slow It Down to Speed It Up,” a falsetto-led number that offered a softer pivot before “Rock Bottom” and “Reverse Engineer” kicked things back into motion. “This is the dance song,” they said, and the crowd followed. They closed with “Heaven Help Me,” a soulful, guitar-driven finale that showed off their chemistry and tight musicianship.
The Deadbeat Cousins came to open the night, but by the time they left the stage, they’d already set the bar high.
Kongos
For Phoenix fans, seeing Kongos back on a local stage felt like running into old friends who’d been gone too long. It’s been a few years since the four brothers relocated to Austin, TX, but Last Exit Live was a homecoming in every sense. Toward the beginning of their set, bassist Dylan paused to tell the crowd about one of their earliest gigs at the original Last Exit on Southern in Tempe nearly twenty years ago. “Brannon gave us one of our first shots back circa 2006,” he said. You could feel that shared history. This wasn’t just another show; it was a return to nostalgia for most people there.
They opened with “Real Life,” then hit their stride with “Underground” before bringing the room alive with “Hey I Don’t Know,” an early favorite off of Lunatic and album that combined their signature accordion-driven rock with South African rhythmic influences and tight harmonies. The crowd roared, singing along like it was 2013 again at The Sail Inn. Danny stayed reserved on guitar, Dylan led confidently up front on bass, Jonny’s keys and accordion filled the air and Jesse drove it all with his unmistakable drumming and vocals. “Forever” and “I Don’t Mind” kept the pulse moving before they surprised everyone with a moody, beautiful cover of “Mad World.” They’ve tackled Beatles tracks and their father John Kongos’ songs before, but this one landed differently; it felt a bit more somber, raw and mature for the brothers who’ve been playing together for over four decades.
The middle stretch of the show leaned heavy on Egomaniac with “When You’re Here,” “I Want to Know,” “Back to the Start,” and “In My Chest,” the band locked in as the crowd swayed in sync. “Birds Do It” and “Escape” carried the momentum before “Western Fog” slowed everything to a hush. Then came “Fools” and “If You Could Get Back,” bringing the tempo right back up and setting up the final rush. When they broke into “I’m Only Joking,” the audience erupted. It’s the first song many of us ever knew from them, and it still hits like it did a decade ago. “Come With Me Now” and “Take It From Me” closed the night, the entire room shouting every word back at the stage.
By the end, Last Exit Live felt like the heartbeat of Phoenix again—packed, loud, and familiar. The crowd was full of faces who’d grown up with the band, and for one night, Kongos brought it all back home.
SET LISTS
DEADBEAT COUSINS
Get By
Money Talks
Mexico
Slow Down
So What
Come on Now
On the Run
Shake! Shake! Shake!
1947
Don’t Mind No Distance
Rock Bottom
Reverse Engineer
No Lies
Heaven Help me
KONGOS
Real Life
Underground
Hey I Don’t Know
Forever
I Don’t Mind Mad World
When You’re Here I Want To Know Back to the Start In My Chest
Birds Do It
Escape
Western Fog
Fools
If You Could Get Back
I’m Only Joking
Come With Me Now
Take It From Me
