Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren - October 31, 2026
Halloween night brought plenty of tricks, treats, and a whole lot of Spidey-sense to The Van Buren in Phoenix as fans packed the venue on October 31 to catch Knox for Midwest Best Live On Tour. Despite the rain and the holiday festivities happening around the valley, fans showed up in full force, many dressed in Halloween costumes, ready for a night of great music and a little fun. The tour celebrates the release of Knox’s latest album, Midwest Best, which dropped October 2, and features support from Emi Grace. Having seen Knox live three times now, I can confidently say he knows how to put on a show, and somehow manages to make each one better than the last.
Kicking off the night, Emi Grace took the stage with her band, all dressed in pirate costumes in honor of Halloween. New to me, Emi quickly made a great first impression with her impressive stage presence, infectious energy, and seriously impressive guitar skills. She and her band had fantastic chemistry, keeping the crowd engaged and jumping along throughout their eight-song set. From tracks like “Nerve,” “Fall Apart,” and “Known Better” to “Mr. Melodramatic,” “Misbehave,” and “Talk About It,” the set was packed with catchy tracks and plenty of attitude. She even brought out a harmonica for one song, adding another fun layer to the performance. Emi Grace is clearly a natural performer, and I’m already looking forward to adding more of her music to my playlists. If you haven't checked her out yet, do yourself a favor!
Following the opening set, fans eagerly awaited Knox’s arrival, and the Halloween festivities were already in full swing. Prior to the show, Knox had teased his Spider-Man costume on social media, calling for the Avengers to assemble, and the fans certainly delivered. Marvel characters could be spotted throughout the crowd, with plenty of fans showing up in costumes of their own. One particularly dedicated fan had even put together a special project for the evening, walking around the venue before the show and handing out flyers featuring different Avengers characters photoshopped with Knox’s face. Fans were asked to choose one to hold up during “All American Tragedy.” Having seen Knox a few times over the last couple of years, I’ve always been impressed by the community of fans he has built, and this was such a thoughtful example of that. You could tell how much time and effort went into putting it all together.
When Knox finally took the stage, he was decked out in his Spider-Man suit, while his bandmates joined him as Deadpool, Iron Man, and Venom. His entire crew got in on the fun, including his photographer, who was dressed as Knox himself. There were even a few fans in the audience sporting their own Knox costumes. The band launched into the set with “4.3 Forty,” “After the After Party,” and “Man Down,” immediately getting the crowd moving. The setlist featured nearly the entirety of Midwest Best, with 10 of the album’s 12 tracks making an appearance, alongside a generous helping of songs from his previous album, Going, Going, Gone, released in April 2025, and a few tracks from his earlier EPs. With 24 songs and a few snippets of others sprinkled throughout, fans were treated to a lengthy set that covered plenty of favorites. I will say, I was a little disappointed that “I Think You Should Leave,” my personal favorite track from the new record, didn't make the cut. The song is what the kids would call a “certified banger.” I’m honestly shocked it was left off the setlist, but I'll forgive you this time, Knox.
A few songs into the set, Knox began joking about his Spider-Man suit, admitting it was his first time wearing spandex and that he'd be talking about it all night because of how uncomfortable he was. He noted he had about 10 pounds of tape wrapped around his waist and couldn't properly bend over or lift his legs. At one point, he attempted to climb onto the riser, only to stop and worry that he might split his pants. Later, he struggled to pick up his water bottle from the floor, and the crowd erupted in cheers when he finally managed to retrieve it. He also took plenty of time between songs to read signs, comment on costumes, and interact with fans. When he spotted a fan holding up a phone that read “you have aura,” he responded that it was because he was channeling the power of the spider. His silly personality and natural charisma are a huge part of what make his shows so much fun. It’s refreshing to watch an artist just be themselves, unapologetically, on stage.
One of the night's most memorable moments came during “All American Tragedy,” when the opening notes rang out and fans pulled out their Avengers flyers, holding them high as they danced along. Knox couldn't stop grinning as he looked out into the crowd, squinting to make out all the different characters that had been transformed into his likeness. It was such a fun moment, and you could tell just how much he appreciated the effort that went into making it happen.
Knox also showed his softer side throughout the evening. Following “Treadmill,” he pointed out a fan named Sarah and announced that it was her birthday, prompting the entire venue to join in singing her happy birthday, a meaningful moment she’ll surely never forget. It's those little moments that make his shows feel so personal.
As the set continued, Knox took a moment to be candid with the crowd before introducing “You Happened.” He acknowledged that the Phoenix show was a little smaller than some of the other stops on the tour, but said the energy in the room was electric and that the crowd was louder than some of the larger shows they'd played. He asked everyone not to sing the chorus, but instead to think about the things they hated most and scream it out. The audience certainly understood the assignment. While fans had been singing along all night, the response to this song took things to another level. Before launching into a string of favorites, he encouraged everyone to warm up their voices, telling them they had some big songs coming up.
Before wrapping up the main set, Knox took a moment to deliver what he jokingly called a really emotional speech, noting that it felt a little funny to be getting sentimental while dressed as Spider-Man. He thanked everyone for choosing to spend their Halloween night with him, saying, “I'm from the middle of nowhere Ohio and we never thought we'd have a job like this and it's because of each of you in this room, you chose to be here tonight.” He promised that as long as fans continued showing up, he'd keep writing songs and putting them out, and vowed that the next time they played Phoenix, they would sell out The Van Buren. He also promised he'd wear pants next time, much to the crowd's amusement.
Following “Sad Song,” the band exited the stage, but not before Knox instructed everyone to chant “Deadpool” until they returned. The crowd happily obliged, bringing the band back out for a two-song encore. “Not the 1975” opened with a fun mashup of Walk the Moon's “Shut Up and Dance,” seamlessly transitioning into the fan-favorite track before closing out the night with “Pick Your Poison.” As the band made their exit, “You've Got a Friend in Me” played over the speakers, a fitting little send-off after such a fun evening.
Knox has visited the valley a handful of times over the last few years, and it's been great watching his audience grow with each visit. His last show at Crescent Ballroom sold out, and now he's moved up to the larger Van Buren, with hopes of filling that room next time around. Having seen him three times, I can say he is a seriously talented songwriter with a real gift for putting words to the feelings and experiences we can all relate to. Pair that with his stage presence, humor, and genuine appreciation for his fans, and you've got an artist who is truly worth seeing live. Both Midwest Best and Going, Going, Gone are fantastic records from start to finish, and his live performances only make you appreciate them more.
The Midwest Best Live On Tour US leg is nearing its end, with just less than a handful of dates remaining before wrapping up in Nashville on November 7. Knox will then take the tour overseas to Europe, the UK, and Australia in February and March. If you have the opportunity to catch him on this run, don't pass it up. And Phoenix, let's make good on that promise and sell out The Van Buren next time!
