Fitz and The Tantrums brought their signature blend of high-energy pop and neo-soul to the Arizona Financial Theater on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, in support of headliner O.A.R. With nearly 17 years of experience under their belts, the Los Angeles-based band, led by the charismatic Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick and powerhouse co-vocalist Noelle Scaggs, continues to captivate audiences with their unforgettable performances.
Fitz and The Tantrums are known for their knack for blending Motown-inspired rhythms with modern pop vibes. Over the years, they’ve delivered hits like “MoneyGrabber,” “The Walker,” and their breakout anthem “HandClap,” which propelled them into mainstream success. “Out of My League” recently soared on TikTok, amassing over 1 billion views and achieving 5x-Platinum status thanks to viral posts and widespread popularity. Last year, the band promoted their new album Let Yourself Free with a series of sold-out shows across the country, high-profile TV appearances, and performances at major events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. In May, the band dropped a new single titled “No Goodbyes (Friends Forever),” which serves as a fresh and uplifting anthem for graduations. The track reimagines Vitamin C’s 1999 hit “Graduation (Friends Forever),” on the heels of the song’s 25th anniversary.
The set began with “Sway”, which immediately had those who turned up early in support of the band on their feet and dancing. Fans were treated to an hour-long set which consisted of favorites from most of the albums in their discography, as well as a cover of the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), which Scaggs dedicated to the “grown and sexy people” in the building. The cover was a perfect song to draw in participation from audience members who were less familiar with the band’s tunes. The band knows how to engage a crowd and it was evident from the start of the set. Both Fitz and Scaggs took opportunities to encourage audience participation at every turn, asking fans to sing along, wave their hands, and light up the theater with their phone flashlights during the uplifting anthem “I Just Wanna Shine.” Before “Let Yourself Free”, Scaggs directed the audience to “lose it a little bit”. The crowd did as instructed during the song, nearly resulting in a mosh pit in the standing room only area.
Throughout the set, the chemistry between Fitzpatrick and Scaggs was undeniable. Their synchronized choreographed moves and playful interactions added an extra layer of entertainment to the show, making it impossible for the audience not to get swept up by their performance. Although the stage presence of frontman Michael Fitzpatrick was magnetic in its own rite, all eyes were on Noelle Scaggs who truly stole the spotlight. Her soulful vocal harmonies, matched by her impressive stamina, made her the star of the evening. Scaggs never stopped moving, playing the tambourine and dancing non-stop throughout the set with seemingly limitless energy. Her vocal control, even while in constant motion, was flawless, showcasing her talent and making her performance a standout of the evening. Saxophonist James King also had shining moments with multiple sax solos throughout the set, which had the crowd cheering.
Fitz and The Tantrums ended their set with a performance of fan favorite “HandClap” which had everyone on their feet and clapping in sync with the rhythm of the song. The band proved to be the perfect opener for O.A.R., setting the tone for the evening with their unforgettable, high-energy performance.
The Summer Tour with O.A.R ends on August 25 in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to tour dates with O.A.R., Fitz and The Tantrums will play a headlining show at the Roseland Theater in Portland, OR, on August 12, 2024, and at the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI, on August 22, 2024. They are also set to play two festivals through the end of the year, including Live Out Monterrey 2024 in Monterrey, Mexico on October 12, 2024, and SEMA Fest 2024 in Las Vegas, NV on November 8, 2024. Visit https://www.fitzandthetantrums.com/ for tickets.
Setlist: Sway/ Heaven/ OCD/ Good Intentions/ 123456/ Sweet Dreams (Eurythmics cover)/ Out of My League/ Livin’ for the Weekend/ Fool/ MoneyMaker/ Let Yourself Free/ I Just Wanna Shine/ All the Feels/ The Walker/ MoneyGrabber/ HandClap
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