Valley Bar (Phoenix, AZ)
06/03/23
When you go to a joan show, you expect to dance. The band out of Little Rock, Arkansas, consisting of Alan Thomas and Steven Rutherford, makes a particularly sparkly brand of retro-pop that brings to mind images of youthful freedom, late night drives, and new love bordering on obsession. The two-piece band have been touring nonstop this year to promote their debut full-length album, superglue, released in mid-April. The duo played a packed show at the Valley Bar in Phoenix, Arizona supported by indie-pop act AVIV and sunshiney acoustic duo Harriette, who introduced herself with a breezy, “Do you guys like my vibe?”
Highlights of the night included their performance of “tokyo,” a cinematic pop anthem performed against an eye-popping light show of Japanese characters on the TV screens onstage. Mid-show, they performed a rendition of Frank Ocean’s “Super Rich Kids” in their unique style. joan closed out their show with a performance of “superglue,” followed by two of their viral hits: “love somebody like you” and “drive all night.”
Despite being the duo’s first time back in Phoenix in years, their performance and crowd energy was just as fun as the first time. joan’s music doesn’t lose its appeal – it’s timeless. If the band comes to your city, stop in for the show. You’ll enjoy it.
