Inside Ruel’s “Kicking My Feet” Tour Stop in Phoenix

From the moment Ruel stepped on stage, he had Phoenix in the palm of his hand, turning every lyric into a shared experience. The Arizona stop on his Kicking My Feet tour fell on a Tuesday, but the energy inside the venue rivaled any weekend crowd.

Kicking the night off (no pun intended) were two powerhouse female openers, Chelsea Jordan and Mercer Henderson. From Jordan’s first-ever tour to Henderson performing some of her standout songs, including “Almost, So Close, Maybe,” the audience was absolutely captivated by both performers. It’s always refreshing to see a crowd bring the same energy to the supporting acts as they do the headliner, and this truly set the tone for the evening ahead.

As anticipation reached its peak just before 9:30 p.m., all eyes were fixed on the red door at center stage. The moment the lights dimmed and Ruel stepped through, the crowd was instantly hooked. Opening with “Only Ever,” a track off the touring album, fans were already singing along with stars in their eyes. Ruel brings a strong, charismatic presence to the stage that’s hard to come by, and beyond a well-structured set, his powerful vocals and impressive range set him apart from many of today’s Gen-Z pop artists.

Shortly into the show, Ruel transitioned into a slowed-down piano set. Sitting at the keyboard and singing with raw emotion while showcasing his vocal control, fans were visibly moved during songs like “Even Angels Won’t” and “No News Is Good News.” As lights filled the air and illuminated the room, it became clear that, despite a few phones here and there, the crowd was largely living in the moment. That’s a rarity for younger audiences, and it spoke volumes about Ruel’s ability to truly hold attention in a way that feels genuine and immersive.

Soon enough, the crowd was back on its feet, dancing as Ruel powered through fan favorites “Don’t Say That,” “Painkiller,” and “Growing Up Is ___.” Switching between guitar, effortless stage movement, and candid storytelling, he never allowed the energy in the room to falter. Watching him command the stage, it’s clear that even after nearly a decade in the industry, Ruel is far from slowing down. After releasing his debut single at just 14 in 2017, the now 23-year-old artist continues to build momentum, carving out an even stronger presence in the pop landscape.

With the recent announcement of his upcoming album Kicking and Screaming, the second half of his sophomore project Kicking My Feet, fans are eager to hear what Ruel has in store next. Be sure to pre-save the album on your favorite music platforms. We are already looking forward to his next visit to the desert.