The “Who Crew” turned up in droves Tuesday, July 1, packing Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix, AZ, for Betty Who’s first tour stop in the Valley since 2023. The Australian singer-songwriter is touring in celebration and promotion of the release of her new singles, “Run!” and “Sweat.” The Out of the Darkness Tour has seen support from Crush Club and Molly Grace, with this evening’s lineup featuring Rozzi. An icon in the LGBTQ+ community, Betty Who’s tour took place throughout Pride Month, with multiple stops on Pride festival lineups. As a longtime activist for the LGBTQ+ community, it’s no surprise that Betty Who used touring as an opportunity to raise money for various foundations supporting the community. For this evening’s show, a dollar from all tickets sold went toward the Phoenix Pride Foundation scholarship fund, which offers scholarships to LGBTQ+ college students.
Singer-songwriter Rozzi took the stage and wowed the crowd with her soulful vocals. The artist, who typically performs with a band, noted that these shows marked the first time she had ever done a show solo, playing her own instruments, and that she was “scared as hell.” In fact, this evening’s show was the second time ever that she had played guitar in front of a crowd, the first being only two nights prior. Despite her fear, she absolutely crushed her performance, playing songs like “fflow,” “Hymn For Tomorrow,” and “Joshua Tree,” as well as a brand new, yet to be released song from her upcoming album, Fig Tree. For the release of her album, Rozzi is collaborating with 26 visual artists who will create art inspired by each of the twelve tracks on the album to be displayed at New York’s Ki Smith Gallery in September. Rozzi ended her set with “Best Friend Song,” which had the crowd dancing and laughing along to the playful lyrics. If you’re a fan of voices like Joss Stone and Amy Winehouse, give Rozzi a listen!
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It was only natural that many fans came dressed in spandex and leg warmers, ready for the proper 80s influenced dance party that Betty Who would surely deliver. The crowd went wild as Betty Who and her dancers, Chris Jarosz and Sebastian Gonzalez Molina, took the stage, kicking off the set with one of her newest singles, “Run!.” Betty kept the energy high, delivering a flawless vocal performance, which was particularly impressive given that she was constantly in motion, perfectly executing intricate choreography along with her dancers to each song. Betty Who’s personality shines through in her performances. She radiates joy when she performs; it’s impossible not to smile and have a great time at a Betty Who show. She took brief moments when she could to engage with the crowd, sharing that this tour was taking place during her “Mariah Carey Christmas season- Pride Month,” explaining that she loves a time when “we can celebrate ourselves, especially when our self is a little bit ‘other’.”
While the set as a whole was one to remember, there were several standout moments, including a racy little chair number during "Taste" and a sweet exchange between Betty Who and a fan who had been to every stop on the tour. She slowed things down for a moment for an acoustic rendition of “SOMEONE ELSE,” before which she referenced the current viral TikTok trend where someone threatens the audience to be nice while the other shows something off (a skill, a collection, a talent, etc). Because she was alone, she had to play both roles, and playfully threatened the audience to “be nice!” because this was a song typically played on the piano. Betty has chosen a different song to play acoustically for every stop on tour, noting that the fan who had been to every show of tour to date was helping to hold her accountable to that. She took her last opportunity to express her gratitude to the fans before launching into the last half of the set, leaving everything she had on the stage. There wasn’t an encore; instead, Betty Who kept the momentum going, closing out the set with “Somebody Loves You,” “Blow Out My Candle,” and her cover of Donna Lewis’ “I Love You Always Forever.” Betty Who puts on an unforgettable performance. You won’t want to miss her next time she rolls through a city near you!
Although the Out of the Darkness Tour wrapped in San Diego on July 2, Betty Who will perform with the LA Phil in Los Angeles, CA, at The Ford on August 30. Tickets can be purchased here.
Setlist: Run! / WEEKEND / Mama Say/ BIG/ You Can Cry Tomorrow/ High Society/ I CAN BE YOUR MAN/ Ignore Me/ Just Thought You Should Know/ SHE CAN DANCE/ Wanna Be/ Missing You/ I Remember/ SOMEONE ELSE (Acoustic) / Sweat/ All of You/ Human Touch/ Taste/ Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God; Kate Bush cover)/ Old Me/ Somebody Loves You/ Blow Out My Candle/ I Love You Always Forever (Donna Lewis cover)
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