Amigo The Devil
Rialto Theatre / Tucson, AZ
May 24, 2025
May 28, 2025
Amigo The Devil at Rialto Theatre, Tucson
(by Shay Smith)
On May 24th, 2025, the historic Rialto Theatre in Tucson, Arizona, transformed into a sanctuary of raw emotion, dark humor, and unforgettable storytelling as Amigo The Devil took the stage on the solo leg of his current tour. With an intimate yet electric atmosphere, the night was a perfect showcase of artistry—from promising newcomers to a masterclass performance by Danny Kiranos himself.
The evening opened with David Talley, who many fans may recognize as the guitarist for Amigo The Devil. However, this time, Talley stepped into the spotlight with his own solo material for the very first time. Despite a touch of nervousness—completely understandable for a debut tour—Talley quickly won over the crowd with a quietly powerful set. His songs like "Raccoon", "Older Orphans", and the hauntingly poetic "Cemetery Skyline" resonated with sincerity. The vulnerability in his voice paired beautifully with his deft guitar work, making it a debut to remember.
Next up was Tele Novella, a duo composed of Natalie Ribbons and Jason Chronis, who brought a dreamy, off-kilter energy that served as a perfect bridge into the main act. Their ethereal harmonies and eclectic stage presence gave the audience a brief, charming escape before plunging into the darker waters of the evening.
Then, the house lights dimmed again, and Amigo The Devil—this time, just Danny and his instruments—took the stage to thunderous applause. The set launched with high energy, but was suddenly and solemnly paused when fans alerted Danny to someone in the crowd needing medical assistance. In a moment that perfectly encapsulated his compassion and presence of mind, Danny immediately stopped the music, had the lights turned on, and called for help. Only after ensuring the fan was okay did he return to the song.
While the mood was understandably shaken, Danny refused to let it linger. With his trademark wit and explosive charisma, he rallied the audience, shouting (lovingly) at them to wake up and get back into the spirit of the night. The room reignited instantly—voices rose in unison, clapping and singing as if nothing had ever interrupted the flow.
Danny’s set was a rollercoaster of emotion and momentum, featuring fan favorites like "Dahmer Does Hollywood", "Cannibal Within", "Murder at the Bingo Hall", "Virtue and Vitriol", and the ever-devastating "Hungover in Jonestown". That last one? Let’s just say it moved me enough to get a tattoo in its honor a few days later.
A particularly heartwarming moment came when Talley rejoined Danny onstage to perform "One Day at a Time". But in true Amigo fashion, the moment took a wonderfully bizarre turn: a group of fans caught Danny’s attention with a custom puppet of Danny. Not only did he invite the puppet’s creator up on stage, he gave the puppeteer a seat next to them during the performance. It was weird. It was beautiful. It was exactly the kind of thing that makes an Amigo The Devil show legendary.
But Danny wasn’t done. For the encore, he brought the mic stand into the center of the crowd and performed "Perfect Wife"—gazing lovingly back at his wife during the song—and "Hell and You", surrounded by fans who echoed every lyric like a (dark) gospel choir. Finally, he returned to the stage for one last song: the evocative "Once Upon a Time at Texaco Pt. 1", sending the night off with chills and cheers.
Danny Kiranos is more than just a musician—he’s a storyteller, a showman, and a deeply human presence on stage. Between his gritty vocals, emotive banjo and guitar playing, dark humor, and heartfelt moments, this show was flawless. It was exactly the version of Amigo The Devil I wanted my son to witness for the his first time—and judging by his face I didn’t have to wait until the end of the show, I noticed he was hooked from the very first note.
This solo leg of the tour wraps up soon, and starting June 27th, Danny heads back out with the full band. Whether solo or with his ensemble, Amigo The Devil is not a show you want to miss. Ever.
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