Few artists can put on a show in the way that Kim Petras does. The German-born and Los Angeles-based singer is in a lane of her own, having delivered a breathtaking show on November 2nd at Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix as part of the last leg of her North American ‘Feed The Beast’ Tour.

It’s been a rather busy year for Petras, filled with success that has launched her further into the mainstream spotlight. Following a spectacular January that saw her win a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance alongside Sam Smith for their collaboration on single “Unholy”, Petras kept her momentum going throughout the rest of the year with the release of two full length albums in June’s Feed The Beast and September’s Problématique.

Walking into the venue, it was immediately clear that the crowd was ready to match Petras’ energy. Armed with risqué outfits that did not fail to draw attention, her fans came in the fullest expression of themselves, channeling the self-confidence and conviction that Petras embodies within her on-stage persona. As the show’s start time neare, fans quickly filled the pit in anticipation of what might lay behind the large red curtain that mostly blocked a clear view of the stage.

With a setlist composed of nearly thirty songs, Petras clearly poured her heart and soul into the performances she was delivering on this tour. Determined to showcase her talent and art, the racy singer structured her show in a way that almost seemed like a play at times with the stage setup and production. Much of it was divided into a handful of acts that gave fans a taste of every part of her discography. Opening the show with title track “Feed The Beast”, Petras rose to the top of a grand staircase while encased in an iron maiden-like chamber that cracked open in a flash of light for the start of the first verse. With a trio of leather-clad dancers by her side, she soon began working the stage as she sang through “Personal Hell” and “King of Hearts”.

Throughout all of this, a large display screen behind Petras cycled through a variety of detailed red-tinted images that mostly held a satanic or hell-ish theme, fitting for the connotation that the title of her album Feed The Beast holds. Having become accustomed to controversy around her music, it seems that Petras has chosen to own the shock-value that her songs and performances hold and wield them to her own benefit. It is a choice that has worked well for her, as there were consistent, audible gasps and cheers throughout the show as the audience was pleasantly surprised to see the level of visual detail that was being delivered alongside Petras’ flawless vocals.

Regardless of what many non-fans might say about her 2022 EP Slut Pop, these are among some of Petras' most cherished and danceable songs. Much to the pleasure of her crowd, she did not shy away from the explicit nature of the tracks when planning her visual production. The live rendition of title track “Slut Pop” saw the first of many costume changes that would follow throughout the evening with the singer’s three backup dancers joining her onstage in matching suits. Petras, embracing the sex-positivity the EP champions, opted for a more stripped down version of the suit that saw the absence of pants in lieu of a short skirt. One of the most impressive parts of the performance was the fluid, full body movements that the three dancers managed to continuously whip out in spite of the suits they were wearing.

Progressing through the most explicit section of the set, Petras and her dancers were constantly raising expectations for the song that would follow. For the most part, they continued to exceed these expectations during the first half of the show, delivering captivating choreographed dances and use of shocking props. While production and visuals were dialed back a bit during the latter half of the show, it quickly became apparent that this was necessary for slower songs that showed off Petras’ immense vocal talent.

If there is one thing that is undeniable about the musician’s raunchy shows, it is that they will leave your jaw dropped in surprise at least once in the set. Even as a regular concert-goer, it is safe to say that this will remain as the most visually entertaining and creative show that I’ve attended this entire year. Without a doubt, Kim Petras was born to perform, serving as an outlet for her fans’ deepest, most personal desires.