Uncut Collective Media
Girlfriends and 93FEETOFSMOKE Bring High-Energy Pop-Punk to Valley Bar
June 23, 2022 • by Phyoe Thaung
On a sweltering Wednesday night in downtown Phoenix, Girlfriends and 93FEETOFSMOKE took over Valley Bar for a night packed with raw emotion, singalongs, and undeniable energy. Tucked away in the intimate underground venue, fans gathered early on June 22, 2022, ready for a show that delivered everything they hoped for — and then some.
​
Kicking off the night was 93FEETOFSMOKE, a genre-blending artist who’s been steadily building a name for himself with his fusion of emo, rap, and alt-pop influences. From the moment he hit the stage, the room pulsed with energy. His set was a perfect warm-up for the night, packed with self-aware lyrics and melodic hooks that had the crowd moving early. Standout moments included fan-favorites like “Conversations” and “Salt,” which had even the new listeners nodding along by the end. With an effortless charm and a strong live presence, 93FEETOFSMOKE proved he’s more than capable of commanding a room on his own — and he set a high bar for what was still to come.
After a quick changeover, Girlfriends — the pop-punk duo made up of Travis Mills (formerly known as T. Mills) and Nick Gross (drummer and producer) — stormed the stage to raucous applause. Formed in 2020, Girlfriends have quickly earned their place in the new wave of pop-punk, blending early 2000s influences with a polished, modern touch. From the jump, it was clear they came to leave it all on the stage.
​
Opening with “Jessica,” they immediately set the tone for a fast-paced, emotionally charged set. Songs like “Stay Awhile” and “Eyes Wide Shut” followed in rapid succession, with Mills pacing the stage and getting up close with the front rows. The crowd responded in kind, shouting every word back, turning Valley Bar into what felt like a massive basement show.
​
One of the biggest singalongs of the night came during “Up All Night,” a track that feels tailor-made for live settings. “Therapist” and “Where Were You” showed off the band’s knack for writing heartbreak anthems that hit just the right mix of catchy and cathartic. Mills took a moment to thank the crowd for sticking with the band through the ups and downs of the past few years before launching into “Missing You,” which kept the emotional momentum going strong.
The set kept building, with “High Again” and “Farewell” giving fans a moment to both dance and reflect before ramping up again with “The First Time” and “Toothbrush.” Mills’ vocals carried a rawness that made tracks like “I Thought About You While I Was Taking a Shower” and “We're All Fucked Up” land even harder live than they do on record.
​
As the night drew to a close, the band tore through “Tattoo” and “California” — two tracks that feel like the perfect encapsulation of what Girlfriends do best: honest lyrics, anthemic choruses, and a genuine love for the music and the people singing it back to them.
