Southern rock and classic rock meet in Phoenix
Whiskey Myers is coming to the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix as part of the Southern Hospitality Tour, a tour that brings Whiskey Myers and The Black Crowes together on the same stage, with Southall as a special guest. The concert is scheduled for August 15, 2026, at 6:30 PM, and the arena doors open 60 minutes before the program begins.
That is an important detail for anyone considering attending primarily because of Whiskey Myers. This is not a traditional evening with one main headliner and a short opening act, but part of a joint tour by two established rock bands. The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers share the tour headline, while Southall further expands the evening toward contemporary southern rock, country rock and the American roots scene.
For Whiskey Myers, the concert comes at a time when the band can simultaneously draw on songs that have built its reputation over the years and material from its latest studio album. It is precisely this combination of older, well-known repertoire and a newer, heavier phase that is one of the main reasons why the current tour is interesting both to audiences who have followed the band for years and to listeners who discovered it later.
Ticket sales for this event are underway.
Whiskey Myers today: between country roots and a heavy rock sound
Whiskey Myers comes from Texas and throughout its career has developed a sound that is difficult to reduce to a single genre label. Southern rock, country, blues and classic hard rock can all be heard in their songs, but without the sense that this is a carefully assembled blend of genres. The band generally sounds like a group that developed its own style through years of playing together and intensive touring.
One part of the audience associates them with songs such as "Stone", "Broken Window Serenade", "Ballad of a Southern Man", "Bury My Bones" and "Gasoline". Some of these tracks rely on slower atmospheric development, acoustic elements and a storytelling approach, while others use massive guitar riffs, a powerful rhythm section and choruses that work naturally in front of a large audience.
"Broken Window Serenade" has a particularly important place in the band's current phase. The song comes from the album "Firewater", but years after its initial release it once again attracted strong audience attention. In 2026, it also appeared on Billboard charts, showing how the Whiskey Myers catalog continues to expand beyond the audience that has followed them since their early years.
Such a development describes their position on today's American rock and country scene well. Whiskey Myers is no longer a band whose identity is built only around a few early favorites, but at the same time it does not try to escape from the songs that brought it to large arenas.
Whomp Whack Thunder brings new concert energy
Whiskey Myers' latest studio album is titled "Whomp Whack Thunder". It is the band's seventh studio album, recorded at Neon Cross Studio in Nashville with producer Jay Joyce. The album contains 11 songs and represents the current creative framework within which the band takes the stage during 2026.
The track list includes "Time Bomb", "Tailspin", "I Got To Move", "Rowdy Days", "Icarus", "Midnight Woman", "Break These Chains", "Born to Do", "Rock N Roll", "Ramblin' Jones" and "Monsters".
The album does not attempt to completely change the band's recognizable character. Instead, it emphasizes its rock side. Guitars are often at the forefront, the rhythm is tight, and songs such as "Time Bomb" and "Tailspin" fit easily into the concert repertoire alongside older tracks. On the other hand, material such as "Born to Do" and "Monsters" shows the band's calmer and more personal side.
That is important for the concert in Phoenix because the audience is not coming to see a band that is merely celebrating the past. Whiskey Myers is currently promoting an album that is still a central part of its current career phase.
Previous Southern Hospitality Tour concerts also provide a useful framework for expectations, but not a guaranteed set list for Phoenix. At performances during the summer of 2026, newer songs such as "Midnight Woman", "Time Bomb", "Tailspin" and "Ramblin' Jones" appeared alongside familiar titles such as "Stone", "Broken Window Serenade", "Bury My Bones", "The Wolf", "Frogman" and "Gasoline". The order and selection of songs can change from night to night.
- "Whomp Whack Thunder" is Whiskey Myers' seventh studio album.
- The album has 11 songs.
- Jay Joyce is the producer, and the album was recorded at Neon Cross Studio in Nashville.
- Current concerts combine new material with songs from earlier phases of the band's career.
The Black Crowes and Southall make Phoenix a special tour stop
The Southern Hospitality Tour was conceived as a joint tour by Whiskey Myers and The Black Crowes. For the audience, this significantly changes the character of the evening. Instead of Whiskey Myers performing in an isolated genre environment, their sound comes into direct contact with a band that has connected blues, soul and rock 'n' roll for decades.
The Black Crowes have a catalog that includes songs such as "Hard to Handle", "She Talks to Angels", "Jealous Again", "Remedy" and "Twice as Hard". Their presence gives the entire tour a stronger classic rock component, while Whiskey Myers represents a newer generation of American guitar-driven bands drawing on blues and southern rock while developing their own identity.
The collaboration is not limited only to a shared concert schedule. During 2026, The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers recorded a cover of The Rolling Stones song "Star Star" together at Neon Cross Studio. This further demonstrates how the musical connections between the two bands are a genuine part of the tour concept. The recording itself, however, is not a guarantee that the song will be performed in Phoenix.
Southall completes the program. Their presence further emphasizes the contemporary southern rock and country rock character of the evening, making this date particularly interesting for visitors who want more than an individual Whiskey Myers concert.
It is worth securing tickets in time.
What kind of concert experience can the audience expect
Whiskey Myers is a band whose music works particularly well when heard live. The reason is not just volume. Much of their repertoire is based on contrast - from slow introductions and storytelling verses to sections in which several guitars, bass and drums create a significantly denser wall of sound.
"Stone" and "Broken Window Serenade" may attract audiences who appreciate the band's more emotional and melodic side, while songs such as "Gasoline", "Frogman" and "The Wolf" represent its more aggressive concert character. The new material further increases that range.
Current set lists show that the band does not separate the new chapter from the old one. Songs from "Whomp Whack Thunder" appear between familiar favorites, rather than the concert being divided into a block promoting the new album and a block of older hits. This helps the performance maintain its dynamics even for visitors who have not yet listened to the new album in detail.
It is important to distinguish between what has been seen on previous dates and what has been confirmed for Phoenix. The exact repertoire, the duration of individual performances, possible joint appearances by the artists and production effects for this evening have not been announced in advance, so it is not reasonable to treat them as guaranteed parts of the program.
Mortgage Matchup Center: a large arena in central Phoenix
The concert takes place at the Mortgage Matchup Center at 201 E. Jefferson Street in downtown Phoenix. The arena has a capacity of up to approximately 18,000 visitors, depending on the event configuration, and is used for major sports and entertainment programs.
For Whiskey Myers, this means a different feeling from performing in an outdoor amphitheater or a smaller club. The audience will be inside an enclosed arena, and the size of the venue allows for the full format of a joint rock tour. At the same time, the final experience depends on the exact stage configuration and seating location, so it would not be justified to promise the same visibility or acoustics from every section in advance.
The Mortgage Matchup Center is a renovated venue with a large central area and additional hospitality facilities. Its location in Downtown Phoenix is particularly practical for visitors who want to arrive earlier, get something to eat or stay in the city center after the concert.
Restaurants, bars, hotels and other entertainment facilities are located in the immediate area, and the arena itself is part of a zone where a large number of locations can be connected on foot or by public transportation.
Getting there by public transportation
For visitors who do not want to drive directly to the arena, Valley Metro Rail is one of the practical options. The Mortgage Matchup Center is located near several stations in downtown Phoenix.
Depending on the direction of arrival, options include Downtown Phoenix Hub as well as the 3rd St/Jefferson and 3rd St/Washington stations. From some directions, it is possible to get off at Downtown Phoenix Hub and continue on foot toward the arena, while other connections lead closer to Jefferson Street.
This can be especially useful after the concert ends, when a large number of visitors leave the arena area at the same time. Before traveling, however, it is worth checking the current Valley Metro schedule for the evening of the event, especially if the return journey is planned for later at night.
For arrivals by rideshare services, the arena lists several drop-off zones on surrounding streets, while the area of 3rd Street and Jefferson Street is among the designated passenger pickup locations.
Parking in downtown Phoenix
The Mortgage Matchup Center has more than 700 parking spaces at its own location, including spaces intended for people with disabilities. In addition, Downtown Phoenix has several garages and parking lots within walking distance of the arena.
For events, parking availability and arrangements may change, so it is reasonable to plan your arrival in advance. The arena states that public garages downtown generally operate during the day, while for events parking is usually expected to be available from approximately 30 minutes before the doors open, unless otherwise announced for a specific program.
It is also important to note the rule that parking does not include the possibility of leaving and re-entering with the same reservation. Visitors arriving by car should therefore complete any other errands before entering their chosen parking facility.
Entering the arena and what to check before departure
For this concert, the doors open 60 minutes before the scheduled start. Because this is a program with multiple performers, arriving before the beginning makes additional sense for anyone who does not want to miss the first part of the evening.
The Mortgage Matchup Center lists several important rules for this event. Professional cameras and audio and video recording devices are not permitted. Backpacks are also not allowed, and bags must be within the limit of 14 x 14 x 6 inches.
Bag and camera rules may vary depending on the event, so it is worth checking them again shortly before arrival. Tickets for events at the arena use mobile delivery, so it is useful to prepare the device and access to the ticket before reaching the security checkpoint.
- Concert start: 6:30 PM.
- Doors: 60 minutes before the start.
- Location: Mortgage Matchup Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix.
- Backpacks are not permitted.
- The largest stated bag size is 14 x 14 x 6 inches.
- Professional cameras and audio and video recording devices are not permitted.
Who will find this evening particularly interesting
Longtime Whiskey Myers fans get the opportunity to hear the band at a time when the new album already lives within the concert repertoire, while older favorites have not disappeared. For them, Phoenix is an opportunity to compare the current, heavier material with the songs that made them start following the band.
For audiences who primarily follow classic rock, the joint performance with The Black Crowes can be a natural introduction to the music of Whiskey Myers. Similarities exist in their blues foundations, prominent guitars and direct concert approach, but the difference between generations and songwriting styles is large enough that the evening does not feel like a repetition of the same sound.
Country fans should expect a concert that is considerably closer to a rock arena than to a typical mainstream country program. Whiskey Myers uses country elements, but electric guitars and southern rock remain a key part of the band's identity.
For listeners who mainly know "Broken Window Serenade" or "Stone", the concert can provide a good overview of how much broader the band is than a few slower, most recognizable songs.
Phoenix as a stop in the final part of the tour
The Phoenix date is in the later part of the Southern Hospitality Tour's summer schedule. Immediately before Phoenix, Whiskey Myers has performances in the western United States, and after Phoenix the joint tour continues toward California.
The next major date in Los Angeles particularly stands out, where Whiskey Myers and The Black Crowes perform at the Hollywood Bowl with Tedeschi Trucks Band. Phoenix therefore comes immediately before one of the most prominent stops on the entire schedule, but it has its own confirmed lineup with The Black Crowes, Whiskey Myers and Southall.
For travelers from outside Phoenix, a practical advantage of the location is that the arena is situated right in the city center. CityScape and other areas of Downtown Phoenix with restaurants, bars and hotels are nearby, so the concert does not need to be organized as an isolated trip to an arena on the edge of the city.
Summer temperatures in Phoenix are also a reason to plan sensibly. Because the concert is in an enclosed arena, most of the evening is spent indoors, but walking to parking lots, public transportation stations or accommodation takes place in urban conditions in the middle of August. Arriving early enough reduces the need to rush immediately before entering.
What to listen to before the concert
If someone preparing for the concert knows Whiskey Myers only superficially, there is no need to go through the entire discography. A good overview can be created by connecting several phases of the band.
For the older side of the catalog, it is worth starting with "Broken Window Serenade", "Ballad of a Southern Man", "Stone" and "Virginia". "Bury My Bones", "Gasoline", "The Wolf" and "Frogman" provide a better picture of the band's heavier concert character.
After that, it makes sense to move on to "Whomp Whack Thunder", especially "Time Bomb", "Tailspin", "Midnight Woman", "Ramblin' Jones", "Born to Do" and "Rock N Roll". In this way, it becomes clearer how the band connects country storytelling, blues, southern rock and a more modern, massive rock sound.
For a fuller context of the evening, it is useful to add several key songs by The Black Crowes. The difference between the two bands then becomes obvious, but so does the common musical line that made the Southern Hospitality Tour possible.
The most important thing is not to expect a predetermined list of songs. Previous concerts provide a good sense of the direction of the current tour, but Phoenix may receive a different running order, substitutions of individual songs or changes in the dynamics of the performance.
For audiences who want to see Whiskey Myers precisely at this stage of their career, the combination of the new album, the old catalog and the joint tour with The Black Crowes gives this concert a considerably broader framework than a standard promotional performance.
Sources:
- Mortgage Matchup Center - date, time, door opening, confirmed performers, address, entry rules and parking information.
- Whiskey Myers - tour schedule and confirmation of the Phoenix performance with The Black Crowes and Southall.
- Whiskey Myers - information about the album "Whomp Whack Thunder", producer, studio and track list.
- The Black Crowes - announcement of the Southern Hospitality Tour and the joint tour with Whiskey Myers and Southall.
- The Black Crowes - information about the joint recording of "Star Star" with Whiskey Myers.
- Setlist.fm - repertoire recorded at previous Whiskey Myers concerts during the Southern Hospitality Tour 2026.
- Billboard Country Update - current presence of the song "Broken Window Serenade" on the charts during 2026.
- Visit Phoenix - information about the Mortgage Matchup Center and practical context for Downtown Phoenix.
- Valley Metro and Mortgage Matchup Center - rail travel options and stations near the arena.