The Aces left Walter Studios with gold stars shining. Five out of five stars fell into a packed, glittering pop enclave on Friday night as their Gold Star Baby Tour arrived in Phoenix. Fans filtered in dressed with intention. Many wore leather jackets, shimmering fabrics, and flashes of animal print. This dress code created a unified visual identity that mirrored the band’s aesthetic for their latest album Gold Star Baby. The tone was set for a night driven by vibrant energy. The venue’s compact size fostered a sense of closeness that the group immediately leaned into. They’re no stranger to creating a show that feels more like a night out with friends than a traditional tour stop.

That intimacy became one of the defining features of the evening. Between songs, the band interacted freely with the crowd. At one point, a fan dressed in cheetah print, matching bassist McKenna Petty’s look with uncanny accuracy, was invited onstage. This fan was selected by the members as the night's Gold Star Baby, crowned best dressed. The band celebrated the fan’s style and shared a celebratory shot. 

Musically, the setlist offered little downtime. The Aces opened with ‘Jealous.’ A hot start that pulled the crowd instantly into their crisp blend of pop hooks and emotional directness. ‘Gold Star Baby’ followed with its self-assured chant. Connecting strongly with the audience’s own expressions of individuality. As the night progressed, songs like ‘Twin Flame,’ ‘Always Get This Way,’ and ‘Don’t Freak’ kept the energy high. ‘I Can Break Your Heart Too’ provided a brief shift into softer territory. While tracks such as ‘Kelly,’ ‘She Likes Me,’ and ‘Girls Make Me Wanna Die’ reignited the room with renewed enthusiasm. ‘The Magic’ introduced a coordinated dance led by fan Cheyenne. 

This sense of openness deepened before the performance of their new song ‘Tea.’ Fans who have been along for The Aces ride know how the band had a podcast which had a segment of each member spilling the tea. The connection was brought to the Phoenix crowd. The band introduced the song with an invitation for fans to share their own stories. An extension of the conversational tone found both in the track and on their podcast. The responses ranged from humorous to heartfelt. One fan recounted their straight sister sleeping with their best friend at a wedding. Front woman, Cristal Ramirez stated “your sister can’t be that straight.” While another fan described divorcing her husband and finding happiness after beginning to date a woman. A TikTok influencer at the show parted the sea of the crowd. In the microphone they detailed a yearlong situationship that dissolved into silence and unmet expectations. The band embraced each confession with the ease of friends swapping late-night secrets. These moments were constantly reinforcing the room’s collective feeling of safety and celebration.

The final stretch of the night blended momentum with songs that made you want to grab your friends hand and sway. While other songs made the crowd's feet rhythmically jump up and down. By the end of the encore, ‘Stuck,’ the crowd remained fully engaged. What made the show stand out was not only the performance but the environment The Aces built around it. An open invitation to a carefree disco party. All navigated through spontaneous interactions, shared stories, and a cathartic setlist. The band created a space where fans felt acknowledged and connected. As the lights rose and the crowd filtered back into the warm Phoenix night, the evening carried the unmistakable feeling of having spent time in good company.