One of the many beautiful things about Downtown Phoenix’s small venues is that, because of how few of them there are, it is truly a roll of the dice on what you’ll hear as you walk by the busy sidewalks outside. From one day to the next, you could stumble upon anything from a heavy metal show to bright dance pop. For those fortunate enough to be in and around the Crescent Ballroom on September 24th, an entrancing pattern of plucks and twangs commanded constant attention in the most inviting, comforting manner possible.
As Mon Rovîa walked out of the green room and toward the stage at Crescent Ballroom, signature ukulele under his arm, his calm and composed demeanor remained unfazed in the face of the packed room in front of him. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, a number of people in the crowd shifted as they tried to get a glimpse of the young Afro-Appalachian folk singer. Anticipation turned into quiet awe as Rovia stepped in front of the microphone. Behind him, a glowing dove-and-olive-branch light fixture, his logo, cast a soft glow across the stage. It was a fitting symbol, subtly letting fans know what feeling would completely envelop them over the next ninety minutes: peace.
Backed by a full band on drums, guitar, and bass, Rovîa opened the show with “Bone”,“Oh Wide World” and “Garden Gate,” easing the crowd into a flow that felt as much like a meditation as it did a performance. While some may look down upon the ukulele in comparison to flashier instruments like the guitar, they’ve yet to see Rovîa play live. The relationship goes beyond just artist and instrument. In just the first few minutes of the set, anyone could see that the ukulele was an extension of Rovîa himself. Each strum held a deep feeling and every note floated through the air with intention. Even with the full arrangement behind him, Rovîa’s ukulele and voice remained the center of gravity, their softness grounding the evening’s emotional themes.
For a while, these themes were unspoken but noticeable for those who looked into the details. Wearing a shirt that read “heal out loud, we almost lost you, in the silence,” Rovîa leaned into the idea of vulnerability being a saving grace for those looking for hope. Introducing the next song in the set, “Cleopatra,” he spoke about writing the song during a depressive episode he experienced, explaining that it was about “someone being there for you in the silence.” It was one of several moments where he used the stage not just to perform, but to open a dialogue about mental health. With each word, Rovîa chipped away at the stigma that these conversations often hold and made sure that every person in the crowd knew they weren’t alone.
By the time he reached “To Watch the World Spin Without You,” the audience had begun to softly sing along. The gentle chorus grew until the whole room was carrying the melody, creating a moment that blurred the line between performer and listener. It was clear that many people in the crowd felt a deep, personal kind of connection to the song that made it feel as if it were their own while singing it.
The rest of the setlist spanned his catalog, from fan favorites like “Trials” and “Running Boy” to deeper cuts like “Big Love Ahead,” performed as a duet with his bandmate.
Opener Khatumu set the tone earlier in the night with a stirring, minimalist set and later returned to join Rovîa for “Rust” during the encore. Their collaboration blended seamlessly, highlighting a growing friendship between the two artists.
Rovîa ended the night with “Heavy Foot,” a finale that left the room standing still in spite of the song’s upbeat melody. For many, the lyrics struck close to home with the state of the world, though Rovîa continued to leverage his voice and words to unite hearts and minds as he had throughout the night.
In an era where sincerity can feel scarce, Mon Rovîa’s show was a reminder that light and hope is always present, hidden behind what seems like endless darkness or silence. Beyond this, it was a testament to his own capability as not just a musician, but a healer. While music has always had the capacity to bring people together and alleviate burdens of the soul, not many artists are capable of tapping into that power in the way that Rovîa is.
