▼ Music Show Time Here are some of the biggest concerts coming to Phoenix in September. BY BENJAMIN LEATHERMAN C oncertgoers of metro Phoenix who haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 would be wise to do so now. Otherwise, you won’t be able to attend many of the big concerts happening in metro Phoenix in September. A total of 18 independent Arizona con- cert venues will only allow concertgoers who show proof of vaccination or a nega- tive COVID-19 test to attend shows later this month (some have done so already). It could keep you from seeing some high- profile and much-anticipated shows over the next 30 nights, including performances by Tame Impala, Pitbull, Korn, Staind, and Jason Aldean. What follow is our rundown of the metro Phoenix’s biggest concerts in Sep- tember. In light of the continued spread of the Delta variant and several national tours canceling recently, each gig on the list has been confirmed to the best of our ability. Details about each of these events can be found below. For even more live music happening around the Valley, check out Phoenix New Times’ online concert calen- dar. Mega 104.3’s 20-Year Anniversary Bash at Footprint Center Local old-school R&B/hip-hop radio sta- tion Mega 104.3 is turning 20 this year (feel old yet?) and is throwing a birthday blow- out on Friday, September 10, at Footprint Matt Sav Center, 201 East Jefferson Street. The con- cert will feature a selection of R&B artists featured on the FM station – which origi- nally launched in 2001 – including Montell Jordan, Lisa Lisa, Zapp, Midnight Star, Ev- elyn Champagne King, Tag Team, and Rob Base. The gig starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $29.50 to $69.50. BENJAMIN LEATHERMAN Korn and Staind at Ak- Chin Pavilion It’s been a while since fans have been able to catch the nu-metal pioneers of Korn on stage, and in the meantime, they have been placated only by the band’s last studio al- bum, The Nothing, which dropped in late 2019. Frontman Jonathan Davis has set tongues wagging in recent weeks, an- nouncing that the band has finished writ- ing its follow-up. Joining Korn on tour is fellow nu-metal band Staind and openers Fire From the Gods. The tour comes to Ak- Chin Pavilion, 2121 North 83rd Avenue, on Monday, September 13. Tickets are $39.50 to $89.50 for the 6:30 p.m. concert. OLIVIA MCAULEY Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters at The Rhythm Room A sad part of being a major celebrity and starting a rock project on the side is that people will show up out of nowhere to see your band and ignore your music because they just want to see “you.” Sometimes the music somehow ends up overshadowing the celebrity and the band becomes note- worthy in their own right. The Boxmas- ters, actor Billy Bob Thornton’s off-and-on musical project, reach that early stage of notoriety years ago, but that still shouldn’t diminish the fact that his Boxmasters are making ace country-fried rockabilly. Imag- ine if Conway Twitty and the Kinks at their most mod got stoned one night in the ’60s Tame Impala mastermind Kevin Parker. and decided to record four albums out in Bakersfield. Thornton brings the band to The Rhythm Room, 1019 East Indian School Road, on Thursday, September 16. Pat Roberts and the Heymakers open the show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50. CRAIG HLAVATY Tame Impala at Gila River Arena Tame Impala’s psychedelic sound could be the background to a night of debauchery at the club, or the soundtrack to a night spent alone and ruminating on the ruins of soci- ety. In short, he may be the consummate musician of our time, a constantly evolving artist who uses technology to make music that reflects on how technology has driven us apart. Kevin Parker’s live shows relish that collision, providing a high-powered production that thrills you to accompany lyrics that make you think. Better >> p 40 Boxmasters (left) and Korn (above). Action Entertainment Collaborative Jimmy Fontaine 39 phoenixnewtimes.com | CONTENTS | FEEDBACK | OPINION | NEWS | FEATURE | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | PHOENIX NEW TIMES SEPT 9TH – SEPT 15TH, 2021
