hemlocke springs had a great live stage presence, playing songs both new and old like “girlfriend” and “gloria!” Most notably, she encouraged the crowd to think politically.

“It’s not good to be apolitical,” she said in reference to recent controversy in the music industry. “Don’t act cowardly.”

hemlocke springs played a tight 40-minute set, and fans began to wait for MUNA to grace the stage. By 9 p.m., the lights dimmed, and the band began to play “It Gets So Hot” from their newest release, “Dancing on the Wall.”

Guitarist Naomi McPherson was noticeably absent from the Phoenix stop, but the band was forthcoming in an Instagram post about their absence. McPherson’s mother is ill, so friend of the band Lou Roy filled in on this stop and plans to play in some upcoming shows.

“On Call” and “Big Stick” roused the crowd into a frenzy with lead singer Katie Gavin’s powerhouse vocals. Gavin has a unique, lilting voice, and this quality was on full display at the show. Sporting a red leather and black lace ensemble, Gavin was the star of the evening.

Halfway through the show, the band sat down on stools and played an acoustic set. They spoke about McPherson’s mother and how they miss Naomi, but the real intimacy of this part of the set was displayed in the lighting. Before the acoustic set began, the stage was flashed consistently in red and blue lights. Then, warm, dim lights shone on the band for their softer songs. 

MUNA has a passionate fan base, something that can’t really be captured unless you’re at one of their shows. Couples, families and friends gathered to bask in the sweat and sparkle of MUNA’s set.

“Are there any girls’ girls in the house?” Gavin yelled, much to the crowd’s joy.

Having always been a band centered around queer joy, MUNA welcomes their fans into what feels less like a band and more like a family. 

Find MUNA and hemlocke springs on tour as it snakes through North America and Europe in the remainder of 2026.