Photographer: Kili Goodrich
Beartooth brought a fiery punch to the Arizona air.
From the first lick of a distorted guitar, to the last beat of the drum, Beartooth lit the ultimate fuse at the Desert Diamond Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
Beartooth
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Desert Diamond Arena
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Beartooth ✰ Desert Diamond Arena ✰
There are some nights where the energy in a room feels like it’s hanging in the air in waves. On March 24th at Desert Diamond Arena was one of those nights. Walking into Glendale’s packed arena was apparent that the fans were there just as loud for the openers. Every seat was filled, every section buzzing, but no one was actually sitting. The entire arena was already on its feet, hands bouncing overhead in unison. Bodies swayed with anticipation before Beartooth even took the stage. The crowd itself became part of the performance with their constant movement. Some fans were decked out in banana suits. Absurd and joyful in the best way. I watched many yellow fruit-wearers weave through the concourse and later throw themselves into the mosh pit with reckless happiness. It was chaotic, hilarious, perfectly fitting.
The frontman, Caleb Shomo’s presence elevated the entire performance to another level. He carried this cool, almost dangerous edge across the stage. Extremely commanding, sharp, and impossible to look away from. What struck me most was the sheer force of his energy. He launched himself into each song with a punchy, explosive intensity. Every movement was seemingly instinctive. He was relentless, feeding off the crowd and giving that energy right back tenfold.
“You Never Know” and “The Past Is Dead” brought that emotion back to the forefront. There was a collective release in those moments. Then, “Riptide.” The perfect closer. The song carried a larger-than-life force. Everyone screamed every word. Hands were immediately back in the air. Sweat and adrenaline flashed their presence in the dancing lights. Beartooth didn’t feel like a prelude. That’s what makes them insanely good performers. They command the moment.
The moment Beartooth emerged, the room detonated. The band opened with “Might Love Myself,” and it hit like a spark to gasoline. The first note sent the floor into motion. The pit became a breathing part of the performance. As mosh pits bloomed opening and collapsing back together, strangers collided. There was such joy amongst them. They laughed, dancing with unfiltered freedom. Witnessing the dance of it all was beautifully untamed. Not aggressive for aggression’s sake, but cathartic.
“Disease” and “The Lines” rolled in. The entire arena had surrendered to the momentum. Arms were in the air, voices rang out from every corner, and the floor below looked like a sea in a storm. With its constant movement of bodies surging with the rhythm. “Free” and “Sunshine!,” and there was this fascinating tonal shift. Even amid the heaviness, Beartooth seems to know how to inject melody and light into their set without sacrificing impact.
Beartooth’s music has seemed to have always thrived in ferocity and a sense of vulnerability. That's where the connection is found. Their sound is jagged around the edges. There are heavy guitars, thunderous drums. Paired with choruses built to be shouted at the top of your lungs. Beneath all of that is this pulse of simply being human. “In Between” and “Doubt Me” carried that emotional weight. The arena could feel the song's tenderness where frustration, self-reflection, and release all coexisted. At the center of it all was Caleb Shomo.
Article by: Kili Goodrich
Plug In. Tune Out.
Rock that gets the energy flowing. - high octane, let loose, the machine that runs the mosh pit. Ultimate metal-core. Blending aggressive hardcore punk with melodic post-hardcore and pop-punk elements. Paired with passionate vocals, blazing drums, and distorted guitar riffs.
Photographer: Kili Goodrich