Madison Jernigan
Sep 10, 2026
Shaboozey opened his 25-city tour in Phoenix with Western-inspired production, a sold-out crowd, and a cinematic start to the night.
Shaboozey recently stopped by Arizona Financial Theater in Phoenix on September 8 to begin his first of 25 cities on the “Outlaws Never Die” tour. Shaboozey beautifully blends traditional Western themes with a hip-hop sound, creating a unique experience that feels both modern and nostalgic.
The stage was decked out with Western-themed props, outfits, and traditional instruments. Living in the Valley, the set design definitely reminded me of the desert.
The show started with a carefully directed short film on the big screen, styled like a spaghetti Western. It immediately set the mood for the entire show and began hyping up the crowd. As soon as the film ended, the curtains underneath the screen raised, and Shaboozey appeared under a red light, with smoke illuminating his cowboy silhouette.
Dressed in an all-black leather Western outfit, Shaboozey grabbed his brass-knuckle microphone, complete with a dinged-up sheriff’s badge, and immediately kicked off the first song of the night.
His ability to sing clearly while making sure every side of the stage could see and hear him was unbelievable. He constantly moved around the stage, keeping the energy high and making the performance feel engaging from every seat in the venue. For those who were able to get into the pit, it definitely seemed worth the experience, but even with the loud graphics and elaborate stage decor, any seat would have been a good time.
Shaboozey also kept the show visually interesting by changing up his look throughout the night, including taking off his hat and trench coat. Before the show, Shaboozey was even given a binder that a 9-year-old fan had filled with the lyrics to his songs.
He brought the young fan on stage during “(Tipsy) A Bar Song” to make the kid’s night. He also regularly stood on the barricade to get closer to the front-row fans and give them high fives.
Overall, Shaboozey put on an incredible show, and if you were there, you wouldn’t have been able to tell that this was only the first stop of the tour. From the production and Western-inspired visuals to his constant interaction with the crowd, Shaboozey made the night feel like a fully realized experience rather than just a concert.
