Royale Lynn showcases her evolution on first headlining tour

The country-turned-metal artist brought her “Royale Pain in the A$$” tour to Phoenix's Valley Bar

Royale Lynn's first headlining tour came to Phoenix, but you'd never know it was her first time carrying a show. "Redneck Rockstar" Royale Lynn, joined by recently Sumerian Records-signed Hollow Pact and Phoenix's own Traumatone, brought her “Royale Pain in the A$$” tour to the Valley Bar.

Valley Bar is located downstairs and provided the ideal cold, dark basement atmosphere for the metal show, which Royale Lynn embraced. Red lights cast over the stage and the floor, with soft bluish-white illuminating the performers.

Traumatone kicked off the night, representing Phoenix and their local rock scene. They played a few songs, including "Waiting", "Panic", a cover of Muse's "Fury" and more. The whole band came out with energy, but what stood out to me was the smile plastered on guitarist Alex Magewick's face throughout.

Hollow Pact was direct support, and they kept the energy that Traumatone left behind. Despite lead singer Jager Henry appearing to have a hoarse voice, he was jumping, screaming, and singing like it was his last night on a stage.

In between songs, he repeatedly expressed his gratitude for the audience and showed some humor, once saying, "If you clapped, we love you ... if you didn't, fuck you," as he and the crowd laughed. They played songs such as "Witchking", "Heavensent", and their first single with Sumerian, "Tear".

Royale Lynn came out in combat boots, fishnet tights, a black pleather skirt and a black baby tee with a rhinestone design, fully embracing the "Metal Barbie" persona.

She came out swinging, quite literally. She marched out with a baseball bat wrapped in a metal chain perched on her shoulder, starting with "WTCH" and jumping straight into "DEATH WISH" afterward, shouting out the first responders in the room and dedicating the song to them.

The lights onstage highlighted the bling on her shirt and her bleach-blonde hair, shining with every sway. Her energy reminded me of icons Courtney LaPlante, Amy Lee, and even pop icon Britney Spears. In between songs, she said, "Metal needs a little more Britney Spears if you ask me." She was dancing like a girl in a nightclub and head-banging like a metalhead at a show.

As a homage to some of her favorite artists growing up and inspirations for her music, she shouted out System of a Down, Breaking Benjamin, and especially Flyleaf, singing a cover of "All Around Me". She recalled growing up listening to their music on her Walkman and hoping she would play onstage like them someday.

Over the last three years, Royale Lynn has progressively found herself musically. She started out with some heavy country, featuring rock instrumentals and country twang in her singing. Somewhere along the way she decided she wanted to go the metal route, and that switch is made in her 2025 album, BLACK MAGIC.

Before segueing into one of her most popular songs about herself, "Redneck Rockstar", she recalled growing up in a trailer and in the country scene. She talked beforehand about how she shifted her focus from one genre to another, and she thanked the crowd for their commitment through her transition; "Thank you for allowing me to grow as an artist ... thank you for still being here," she said.

"INSIDE OUT" was inspired by a "crazy ex that made her crazy," and her verve embodied that. Regardless of the song, Royale Lynn maintained an exciting stage presence, was incredibly expressive, and worked with the stage, jumping up and down on a riser at the front.

She played her newest single, "Altar", which earned lots of crowd participation that surprised her; she commented how shocked she was that the crowd knew the lyrics to her new song. The night ended with "GREED" and more gratitude to the crowd for being a part of her first headlining tour.

After the performers left the stage, the buzzing in the room lingered. The audience talked and lingered, checking out merchandise booths and some waiting for VIP with Royale Lynn. This wasn't just an artist trying out a new vibe; it felt more like her settling into her true artistic self, and her radiating smile and electric vitality showed that.