Tuesday, October 27, brought AFI to the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona, as the band continues the third leg of their Holy Visions Tour. The tour celebrates the band’s latest record, Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…, which was released in October 2025 and just marked its one-year anniversary. With two Arizona shows left before the tour wraps up, fans in Tempe came out to spend the night with the California rockers, who delivered an unforgettable performance.
Salt Lake City’s Choir Boy opened the night, setting the tone with their dreamy synth-pop sound and unmistakable ‘80s influence. The four-piece, who describe themselves as “SLC Pop Minstrels” on Instagram, brought a laid-back vibe to the stage that had the crowd bopping their heads throughout the set. Frontman Adam Klopp’s deep, theatrical vocals were a standout, taking on an almost opera-like quality as he moved across the stage. Backed by guitar, bass, and keys, with the keyboardist also picking up the saxophone, the band worked through a nine-song set that included “Leave Me Be,” “Two Lips,” “Nites Like This,” and “Sweet Candy.” There were plenty of Choir Boy fans near the barricade, singing along to every word. The band kept the banter brief, letting the music speak for itself, but took a moment to thank AFI for bringing them along on tour. With just two shows left, they admitted they were sad to see the run coming to an end and encouraged fans to check out their merch. They also offered some advice on tipping, telling the crowd, “The new standard for tipping is to do so 100% of the time,” which earned a laugh. Choir Boy made for an excellent opener, and their sound was a nice change of pace before the chaos that was about to unfold.
CHOIR BOY | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY
As the lights went down, the crowd began chanting “through our bleeding, we are one,” their voices filling the room as the stage glowed orange. One by one, the members of AFI took the stage, building the anticipation until frontman Davey Havok finally appeared. The band launched into “Strength Through Wounding,” followed by “Girl’s Not Grey” and “Love Like Winter,” and just like that, the energy in the room went through the roof. It was truly unreal. Havok told the audience they were a “10,” adding that he only hoped he could match them. He had absolutely nothing to worry about.
Watching Havok perform is an experience in itself. He rarely stood still, dancing from one side of the stage to the other, swinging his microphone, flipping his mic stand, jumping, and dropping to his knees mid-song. At times, he thrust the mic stand toward the audience, though the crowd hardly needed an invitation to sing. Their voices were loud enough to fill the room on their own, with fists and fingers raised in the air and crowd surfers passing overhead. I’m not sure how Havok’s knees survived the night. Mine hurt just watching him.
A few microphone issues popped up throughout the set, but they barely made a difference. Whenever Havok’s mic gave him trouble, the audience picked up the slack, belting out every word without missing a beat. He powered through like a pro, and the crowd never let the energy dip. Even with Havok commanding so much attention, the rest of the band was just as fun to watch, bringing an explosive energy of their own.
Havok also knows how to work a crowd. He doesn’t spend much time talking between songs, but he makes up for it by connecting with the audience throughout the performance. He maintained intense eye contact, pointed to individual fans as he sang, and made repeated trips to both ends of the stage. At one point, he went directly into the crowd, where fans lifted him above their heads as he continued singing. It was a wild moment, and one that perfectly captured the connection between the band and its fans.
The setlist featured a mix of longtime favorites and newer tracks, including songs like “Beautiful Thieves,” “Holy Visions,” “17 Crimes,” “Marguerite,” and “I Hope You Suffer.” One of the most impressive things about the night was how enthusiastically the crowd embraced every song. With a band that has been around as long as AFI, you might expect a noticeable difference when the newer material pops up in the setlist, with fewer voices singing along. That was not the case this evening. Every track was met with loud, passionate singalongs, and the audience seemed to know every word. There also appears to be plenty of variety in the setlists from night to night, making each stop an exciting experience for fans.
After “Silver and Cold,” the band returned for a two-song encore, opening with “The Leaving Song.” The track offered a slower moment in the evening, giving the crowd a chance to take it all in before AFI brought the night to a powerful close with “The Days of the Phoenix.”
I’ve been a fan of AFI for years, yet somehow this was my first time seeing them live. What a shame that is, because this performance was incredible from start to finish. Havok’s theatrical stage presence, the band’s explosive playing, and a crowd that sang its heart out through every song made for a show I won’t soon forget. The Holy Visions Tour wrapped in Tucson on Wednesday night, but if you ever have the opportunity to see AFI live, take it. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
AFI | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY
Leave a Reply