Goth Babe’s performance at the Arizona Financial Theater on September 27th was hands-down one of the most electric and fun-filled concerts of the year. The venue buzzed with excitement before the band even hit the stage, and once they did, the night exploded into a whirlwind of vibrant energy, dynamic performances, and playful moments that kept the crowd fully engaged from start to finish.

The show opened with Spinnaker Days, setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable night. Griff Washburn, the heart and soul of Goth Babe, danced around the stage with his guitar as the audience jumped up and down in wild enthusiasm. His free-spirited movement reflected the loose, adventurous vibe that the musical persona is known for, making it impossible not to get swept up in the joyful chaos. A highlight early on was when Griff plucked a sign from a fan in the crowd, promising to design their next tattoo right there on stage. In the midst of the show, he sketched out some trees—just the kind of spontaneous, endearing interaction that makes his shows so personal.

Perhaps the most heartfelt moment came with the song Sadie, a tribute to Griff’s dog. As visuals of mountains, changing seasons, and Sadie herself played on the backdrop, the crowd was visibly smitten, fully immersed in the sweetness of the song and the sense of adventure that defines both Griff’s music and his life. It was a touching reminder that beneath all the high-energy fun, there’s a deep connection to nature, exploration, and his loyal four-legged companion.

The energy only ramped up from there. Mid-show, Griff had the crowd split into sides for a dance-off. House left took the prize, winning a life-sized cardboard cutout of Buddy the Elf, which promptly began to crowd-surf. The dance-off was followed by a scream contest, which house right won. Their reward? Cupcakes. The crowd erupted in laughter when someone playfully lobbed a cupcake at Griff, who dodged it expertly, joking, “No one has actually thrown one back before!” His charm and quick wit were met with roars of laughter and applause.

I Wanna Help Your Mind marked a highlight of fan interaction as beach balls were unleashed into the crowd. The venue became a sea of bouncing color as fans tossed the beach balls around, their raised hands in sync with the music, fully engrossed in the euphoria of the moment. During Casita, the audience witnessed another standout moment when a lucky fan named Austin—who had apparently attended every Arizona Goth Babe concert—crowd-surfed atop a pizza-shaped pool float, adding yet another layer of hilarity and excitement.

Goth Babe’s knack for creating fun, interactive experiences continued when Griff set up a Mario Kart competition between two fans while performing a song. The race was projected onto the big screen, and house right’s contestant, Nash, brought home the win, sending the audience into a frenzy. In true community spirit, Griff passed a disposable camera into the crowd, encouraging fans to capture their memories, saying, “Every time I’m here in Phoenix, you guys are always the best, and I love the sense of community you bring. I can feel the vibration of your energy.”

The night closed on an unforgettable high with Weekend Friend. Griff and the entire band returned to the stage wearing fun hats and shirts with fake muscles, adding one last layer of whimsy to an already out-of-this-world show. The drummer, not to be outdone, had sunflowers adorning his drum set, which he later handed out to fans, leaving the crowd with a tangible memento of the night. As if the show couldn’t get any more surreal, it ended with a DJ set, allowing fans to continue their euphoric celebration, high on the wild, joyful energy that Goth Babe brings.

Griff’s connection to the crowd, the nonstop fun, and the spontaneous, community-driven moments made this show truly one-of-a-kind. Goth Babe delivered a performance that was more than just music—it was an experience that fans won’t soon forget.