Review by: Val Tapia
Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Danny Zelisko Presents (https://dzplive.com/ )
Venue: Talking Stick Resort – Pool (https://www.talkingstickresort.com/ )
Date: Saturday August 30th, 2025
The summer 2025 touring season has been a busy one for us here at Beneath a Desert Sky. It officially commenced during Memorial Day weekend with a 1980s triple bill of Simple Minds, Soft Cell and Modern English at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre.
Or as I prefer to call it… the Pavilion. Because, in short order, that’s exactly what it is.
Fast forward to Labor Day weekend, and it’s time to “return” to the 1990s. Yes, it’s another triple bill, with Blues Traveler, Tempe’s own Gin Blossoms, and Spin Doctors for a sold-out show at Talking Stick Resort Pool in Scottsdale on Saturday night (8/30).
The common thread of these shows, you might ask? It’s probably the first time ever that I’ve covered two shows during two holiday weekends that literally appeased the oldest –and the youngest— of Gen Xers on the summer touring circuit.
By the way, it was a great night for a show. No monsoon weather whatsoever, just clear skies and a (half) full moon as well.
At 8:50 p.m. Blues Traveler kicked off its 10-song, 80-minute set with Things Are Looking Up (from 2012’s Susie Cracks The Whip), followed by the biggest hit of their career, Run-Around.
I remember the last time I saw them (in August 2023) and they didn’t play the latter song. Needless to say, many in the audience weren’t happy about it. Perhaps the band remembered that, so they decided to rectify that this time.
Even though Blues Traveler has plenty of original material to perform live, they make no secret about their love of playing other artists’ material as well.
One of those songs was Sublime’s What I Got, which certainly got people singing along. But the surprise of the set (for me anyway) was their rendition of Rush’s all-time instrumental classic YYZ. Surprisingly, only a handful of fans recognized it!
Even though it was a slightly condensed version, they did a solid job with it. One could easily tell they had a blast playing it too– and rightly so I might add.
It should be said that the camaraderie between all three bands on the bill was certainly present throughout the night. To that point, Gin Blossoms lead vocalist Robin Wilson joined Blues Traveler for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ Mary Jane’s Last Dance.
By the time the main set closed with Hook (from 1994’s Four), many fans in the first dozen rows or so headed for the nearest exit. Fairly or unfairly, that’s what happens sometimes when there’s too much “jamming” onstage– no matter how talented they are.
After all is said and done, the songs are what truly matter— not individual prowess on one’s instrument of choice.
Which brings me to “Tempe’s favorite band”, Gin Blossoms, as proudly proclaimed by Robin Wilson himself. The energetic quintet kicked off its paltry 1-hour, 12-song homecoming set with Follow You Down (from 1996’s Congratulations I’m Sorry) and Hold Me Down (from 1992’s New Miserable Experience), respectively.
By the way, did you notice the word homecoming is italicized? Good– more on that shortly.
It’s been a while since I heard the band play Mrs. Rita live, and of course, Lost Horizons never gets old either. In other words, they both scream …”Tempe”!
The band was in fine form overall. Unbeknownst to me, they recruited a new drummer, Andy Herrin, replacing Scott Hessel earlier this year.
Of course, Until I Fall Away and deep cut Hands Are Tied (which featured a rare jam segment from the Blossoms that actually fit the song) worked great back-to-back. From there, it was time to play a song Wilson said that “everybody knows”, a cover of Elton John’s Rocket Man.
An added bonus was Spin Doctors frontman Chris Barron sharing vocal duties with Wilson on the track.
Saving the “best known” songs for last, the Blossoms then head into Found Out About You, Allison Road (originally from the 1991 EP Up and Crumbling) and the band’s trademark Hey Jealousy.
To conclude the set, they went back to 1996, performing a well-received rendition of Til I Hear It From You.
It would’ve been cool to see them play songs like Idiot Summer and 29, the latter arguably the best song that Jesse Valenzuela ever wrote for the Gin Blossoms. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen.
It’s even more of a mystery why the band hasn’t played Angels Tonight (again, the version from Up and Crumbling) for the better part of thirty years! Gentlemen, respectfully… are you kidding me?
Make no mistake: Angels Tonight is the sound that the Blossoms are known for. Frankly, it would be a shame if they didn’t play it for longtime Arizona fans one more time on tour– before they decide to call it a day. In other words, it’s quintessential Gin Blossoms.
For a triple bill, it was a little surprising to see the Spin Doctors play a 45-minute set. Generally, when there’s a third act on any given bill, they get a 30-minute set— maximum.
I can’t say I’ve followed the Spin Doctors‘ music very much over the years. However, the musicianship within the band is stellar. Their 9-song set included opener What Time Is It?, Jimmy Olson’s Blues, and from their new album Face Full Of Cake, Still A Gorilla.
It’s no secret that the two songs the fans were waiting for had to be played. With that, Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong and Two Princes got everyone clapping and dancing. Pretty hard not to, truth be told.
To conclude, as I alluded to earlier, there’s something that’s important to say regarding this tour. For all intents and purposes, it was presented to the public as a co-headline tour.
In short order, and for the record, it wasn’t. Please, allow me to explain.
For those who may not be aware, a co-headline tour features two “headliners” playing an equal set time of 75, 80 minutes maximum, give or take. By the way, that’s each act, to be clear.
If there is an opening act, they usually play a 30-minute set as the third artist on the bill. Sounds reasonable, many would say.
For this show, let me repeat: Blues Traveler played an 80-minute set, while Gin Blossoms played 60-minutes. I’m sorry, that’s not a co-headline tour. No matter who tries to tell you differently.
In effect, Gin Blossoms were the first of two opening acts on the bill. Which, in my opinion, was disrespectful to both Gin Blossoms and the band’s fans… on home turf no less.
To be fair, perhaps the decision regarding set times was made to give the Spin Doctors the chance to play a bit longer. Okay, I can see that “scenario”, to be honest.
For argument’s sake, let’s assume that was the case. If so, then the Blossoms should’ve closed this show, while Blues Traveler should’ve been in the middle slot. Frankly, it should’ve been a no-brainer from the start.
To be clear, it’s not about ego. It should be about respect and doing the right thing. But I digress
The final verdict? I’ll give the tour (as a whole) 3.5 out of five stars.
Blues Traveler
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2025, All Rights Reserved
Gin Blossoms
Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2025, All Rights Reserved
