Live Shows: The Midnight | Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren - September 23, 2025

Going to concerts as often as I do, I've noticed that fans don't always wear their favorite band's merch to shows anymore. But that wasn't the case when The Midnight came to Phoenix. Everywhere I looked, fans were proudly wearing their merch, from older tour shirts to newer designs.

On September 23, The Midnight brought their synthwave sound to The Van Buren in downtown Phoenix, with pop artist Bonnie McKee opening the night.

McKee kicked things off with an energetic performance that got the audience moving. To close out her set, she performed a selection of hits she had written for other artists, giving fans a chance to sing along to familiar songs. By the time she left the stage, The Van Buren had filled up toward the back.

One of my favorite parts of covering concerts is getting to talk to the fans. Before the show, I spent some time chatting with people in the crowd and was surprised to learn how far some had traveled. I met fans from Tucson, Flagstaff, and Prescott, including a few who had already seen The Midnight perform just weeks earlier in Tucson and decided to catch them again. It was nice to see how dedicated their fans were.

The lights dimmed, the music started, and the crowd erupted into cheers.

The Midnight took the stage with vocalist Tyler Lyle stepping up to the microphone. This was my first time seeing the band live and I wasn't entirely sure what to expect but within the first few minutes… I was impressed.

The lighting and music worked together to create a great atmosphere throughout the performance. Fans sang along, danced with friends, and cheered as their favorite songs played.

Another highlight came when Bonnie McKee returned to the stage to join The Midnight for their collaboration, "Jason." After seeing her open the evening, it was great to watch her perform alongside the band. Her vocals fit naturally into their sound, making it one of the night's standout moments.

What impressed me most was how The Midnight kept the audience engaged through their music and performance. As someone seeing them live for the first time I walked away with a greater appreciation for their sound.