Inside Voices Outside Voices Tour — K.Flay

I’ll admit it: I’m the kind of person who still listens to the same music I loved in 2005. I know every lyric, every riff, every drum hit, and sometimes I don’t give new artists the chance they deserve to break into my rotation.

But nights like this — and being a concert photographer — remind me exactly why I should.

I’d seen my friends post about K.Flay, but until tonight, I didn’t even realize I’d heard her in a Chilling Adventures of Sabrina trailer (and yes, that song deserved every bit of hype it got). The Inside Voices Outside Voices tour rolled into Phoenix for its final night, and by the end of it, I understood why the internet keeps her on repeat.

Corook — Relatable, Funny, and Way Too Real

First up was Corook, walking out in a bucket hat and immediately rapping about student loans — which had the entire room collectively nodding through the pain of being fifty grand in debt for a degree. She wrapped heavy topics in pop melodies and humor, which honestly feels like the healthiest coping mechanism I’ve ever seen on stage.

And if you love pizza or hate snakes? Don’t worry. She’s got songs for both.

Kid Sistr — Three-Piece, Full Power

Next was Kid Sistr, a three-piece band that somehow filled The Van Buren wall-to-wall with pure energy. Every instrument mattered. Every member took turns on vocals. Their chemistry felt effortless.

Then they launched into a cover of “Sabotage” by the Beastie Boys — each taking a verse — and I swear the room levitated. That performance alone earned them a spot on my personal playlist. They’re the perfect mix of punk energy, catchy songwriting, and charisma.

K.Flay — A Storyteller Who Fills the Room

Then the lights dropped. The crowd roared. Phones shot into the air. You could feel the anticipation crackling through the room as people reached out toward the stage, hoping for even a second of connection with the artist who helped them through breakups, chaos, or long nights of self-reflection.

This is the part where being a photographer feels surreal — fumbling between camera settings, trying to chase the lighting changes, and then turning toward the crowd for just a split second… only to see pure joy on their faces. That shared energy between an artist and their fans is something you can’t fake.

And K.Flay? She’s a captivating storyteller.

There was a moment where her voice and her stories between songs pulled me in so deeply that I momentarily forgot I was standing in the pit with a heavy camera around my neck. She made that entire room feel like they belonged there — even those of us who didn’t know the words yet.

The music.
The vulnerability.
The connection.

It all made sense.

Nights like these remind me why discovering new artists is worth it.
Why live music still matters.
And why concert photography feels more like a privilege than a job.