flipturn in Phoenix: The Burnout Days Tour

Show Lineup: Krooked Kings, flipturn

Genre: Alt. Pop/Rock

Venue: The Van Buren, Downtown Phoenix, AZ

Date: 03/05/25

Description:

flipturn (yes the band is in lower case I promise) made a stop in Phoenix before continuing on their tour. The band is excited to be touring their most recent album, Burnout Days, and have been performing brand new material at many of their most recent shows, including hits off the album such as "Juno" and "Rodeo Clown". flipturn took the stage for their 23-song set after the opener, Krooked Kings, finished their 11-song set (insane, I know!). Krooked Kings brought the vibes and the excitement, and flipturn hit it out of the park with their set. I can't wait to see them again!

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flipturn performing "Burnout Days" at The Van Buren

flipturn released their new album Burnout Days in January of this year, and is already going around the country performing their new music. While it preserves their calm, mesmerizing, yet somewhat disconcerting musical style, it brings forward new elements as well and highlights the band's songwriting ability. The lead singer Dillon Basse's unreplicable, distinct vocal timbre is on full view in the album (albeit softened with respect to earlier releases such as Citrona). The band put on a show to remember.

Krooked Kings during their opening set at The Van Buren

The Van Buren is a great venue from the moment you step through the doors. They have high ceilings, ornate architecture, art on the walls (including a full-wall mural of a Sonoran-Desert-type environment!), and despite being a big space, it preserves the small-venue feel of places like 191 Toole in downtown Tucson. It is definitely my favorite Phoenix venue for concerts that come through (all the best bands seem to play there.... just saying). Krooked Kings - a band I had never heard of - took the stage first, and after only one or two songs, I was a fan. They have a unique sound which combines hard(er) rock style lyrics with Breakup Shoes-esque rhythm guitar and melody/harmony interplay. I highly recommend giving them a listen if you've never heard of them like me!

flipturn with rainbow lights in the background (the picture doesn't capture it but it looked like they were in a prism)

After Krooked Kings' unusually long opener set (I wasn't complaining though, the vibes were GOOD), flipturn took the stage as the intro to their song "Juno" played and was met with raucous applause and cheers. They seamlessly slid into the groove of the song and the audience immediately felt the power of the song and the musicians' skill. They transitioned into "Burnout Days", and continued to play highlights from the new album, as well as older and deeper cuts such as "Glistening", "Whales", and "Savannah". When they played "August" (the biggest hit from Citrona), the instrumentalists took turns soloing, turning one of my favorite flipturn songs into a whole experience, definitely one I will not be forgetting any time soon. As expected, we all played the traditional game of adult peekaboo where the artist pretends the show is over, only to come back and play more songs (still such a fun tradition despite knowing exactly what will happen). The band came back out and finished off the show with their hits "Chicago" and "Nickel". Screaming the lyrics back along with the rest of the crowd, for a few minutes it felt like we were all part of the band.

Seeing flipturn in Phoenix was so much fun that I almost went to see them again this past Thursday in Salt Lake City. I hope they come to Tucson on their next tour, but the drive to Phoenix was definitely worth it, and I would absolutely see them again. To close things out, here is a picture of the drummer with one of his drums on his head (he played like half a song like this). Until next time!

Reviewer Name: Bennett Greenfield

Date of Review: 03/18/2025