Lance Pettis
May 22, 2026
Vana's Phoenix performance captured an artist whose ambitious songwriting has found an equally devoted live audience.
Vana’s performance at sold out Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix, AZ left everyone in awe. This packed out venue resonated with the audiance reflecting the prime reason she is making waves in the heavy music scene. She kicked off her set with “pray” and that’s when you saw the crowd just go wild and the energy they plan to bring throughout the show. Songs like “NOXIOUS,” “HARLEQUIN!,” and “PLEASER” highlighted her unique style with her heavy metal melodies, hard hitting choruses and electro-pop sounds in a powerful yet intimate way.
Vana, originally from Anaheim but raised in Auckland, New Zealand, has become known for her fearless and innovative approach to music, Her performance at Crescent Ballroom demonstrated how her music strikes the right chord with those who are seeking heavy, emotionally driven sounds. Tracks like “In Your Name”,” “SERPENTINE,” and “BITE BACK” carried the crowd to still have that same energy front the beginning of the show and kept that composure for what’s to come. Closing her set with “Die For Me!,” “Beg!,” and “Clandestine,” her hit “Beg” which has millions of streams turned into an overwhelming chorus of fans screaming and singing along.
Self-taught and authentic to herself, Vana is making her impact onto the industry with an attitude of inclusivity and authenticity. When the concert came to an end, it was evident that the audience didn’t just attend a show; they witnessed an emerging talent claiming her well-deserved fame, as we all know it’s already hers.
Photography by Lance Pettis (Sound Wave Photos)