[Concert Review] Vortxz & New Royals Rock The Nile Underground with Raw Energy and Real Moments
Who knew a random Wednesday night would turn into one of the most personal, high-energy shows I’ve shot this year? At The Nile Underground, a basement venue tucked beneath Mesa’s main drag, the walls felt like they were sweating sound — intimate, unfiltered, and full of soul.
The night kicked off with New Royals, a local Arizona band I’d never heard of before. But now? A band I’ll be keeping on my radar.
New Royals: Intimate, Local, and Loud in the Best Way
There’s something about watching a band that feels just as surprised as you are by how much energy the room gives back. The Nile's low ceiling and tight quarters created this raw connection between artist and audience — probably the most intimate venue I’ve shot so far.
New Royals rolled in with good vibes and tight execution. I’ll be real — I didn’t catch the name of the song that hooked me, but it hooked me.
Special shoutout to the guitarist — man was shredding, especially during one solo that had the crowd nodding along like they just found their new favorite band.
One standout moment? Their cover of Harry Styles' “As It Was.” Instantly, the whole crowd lit up — singing, swaying, dancing. The frontman took a moment between songs to talk about how much he appreciates venues like this one because of how personal they feel. As someone always rooting for Arizona artists, this one felt like a win. A small band playing like they’re already big.
Vortxz: From Red Phones to Raw Emotion — A Performance, Not Just a Set
The lights went completely dark. One red phone sat glowing on stage. Everyone was staring at it. Then… the lead singer of Vortxz walked in, picked up the phone, and just like that — we were transported.
This wasn’t just a show. This was theater. This was story. This was Vortxz.
From the moment that first song dropped, fans were singing and dancing like they’d been waiting all year for this. The singer’s energy was infectious, trading smiles and interactions with his bandmates, while the drummer held it down hard — criminally underrated, by the way. And when the guitarist stepped into the spotlight for a solo? The whole room erupted.
You could feel the bond between the band and their fans, but even more so, within the band itself.
They played a new track called “I Like You,” a slow and hypnotic song that shifted the mood into something softer, dreamier — had the whole crowd in a trance. That was followed by a fakeout intro to a song “about divorce” (cue April Fools joke — which didn’t land since it was April 2 but the fans had a laugh with Rambo), but whatever they actually played next? That track slapped. Definitely the kind of song you’d blast while driving at night with the windows down.
“Oklahoma,” one of Rambo’s personal favorite, came next — and it was a standout. I loved how they paused to share what each song meant. As a first-time listener, that kind of context matters. It wasn’t just helpful — it made the show feel like a real dialogue between band and crowd.
Then came “Pretty Enough,” a song about a situationship (yup, we’ve all been there). At some point, I realized I was dancing in the back with strangers — just vibing. That’s the power of a good live show.
When they performed “My Love,” the crowd lost it. Phones went up, voices got louder, and I actually got chills. I never thought I’d get to hear that one live, and now? Vortxz officially has a place in my heart as my favorite Latino indie rock band.
Just when you thought it was over, they pulled out another theatrical transition — dim lights, heads turning — making it feel like a second act. The started playing Up & Down and brought back all the energy.
The little drum and guitar breaks? So good. Watching the singer just dancing around on stage was pure joy.
For their final number — or so we thought — they brought out a new unreleased track and the frontman literally went off stage to dance with fans. That moment? Unreal. The energy was electric, and somehow they still had more in the tank.
Final Thoughts:
Vortxz didn’t just play a show. They built a space. From storytelling to crowd connection to straight-up musicianship, they delivered one of the most memorable performances I’ve seen in a long time — and reminded me why I started writing about concerts in the first place.
Watch this band. They’re going places.
