On October 26, the British singer-songwriter, Matt Maltese, played his first show in Phoenix, Arizona, to a packed crowd at The Van Buren. I’ve been listening to Matt for just over six years, so getting the chance to see him live was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

The show opened with Sophie May taking the stage right at 7:30 p.m. It was her first-ever performance in the United States, and she had only been added to the last six dates of the tour the day before the Phoenix show. As a fan of her music, I was thrilled to see her, even if it was just for a couple of songs.

Shortly after Sophie May, the talented Cornelia Murr took the stage. Murr’s set felt like its own headline show, complete with a full band and incredible production. Her stage presence was mesmerizing, and her soft vocals perfectly set the tone for the night.

At 9:00 p.m. sharp, Matt took the stage. Opening with the second single from his newest album, Hers, the familiar chords of “Always Some MF” caught the crowd by surprise. Choosing one of the slower songs in his discography was a bold move, but it instantly allowed the venue to fall silent and set an intimate tone for the rest of the night.

With a setlist ranging from songs dating all the way back to 2018, to his latest releases, Maltese covered all the bases in Phoenix. He later welcomed Murr back on stage for a duet of “Arthouse Cinema.” 

Hearing songs that I’ve listened to for half a decade, essentially soundtracking my life, made the experience even more incredible. As the final notes of “Everyone Adores You (at least I do)” rang through the venue and the stage bows were taken, it was clear that Phoenix had been waiting for Matt Maltese, and this show did not disappoint.

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