Live Review: Planet Desert Rock Weekend VI Night One, Las Vegas, NV, 01.29.26
Earlier – Before Show
My flight got in last night, and even waking up already in the town where I’m seeing a show tonight feels like a relief, as opposed to getting here and needing to rush to the venue, which is how it might otherwise generally go. I made this trip to Las Vegas last year for Planet Desert Rock Weekend, and it was a highlight of the whole year, and set a positive tone that I’ll just say helped and leave it at that.
A lot this year is the same. I’m staying with Adam from Sonolith and his wife Jocelynn (and the power trio of weimaraners) again, which is great, and I feel ready for it. I woke up at about six this morning — which means I slept late with the three-hour time difference, but I was also up late thanks to the same temporal shenanigans — and had a Hungarian lesson on WhatsApp that, surprise, I forgot to cancel, before I even had time to brush my teeth. My teacher was very forgiving.
But Count’s Vamp’d, which was where three of the four nights last year were held, has closed, so The Usual Place, which was the bigger spot last year, will be home to the whole festival. And if you’re not familiar with the concept, Planet Desert Rock Weekend is put together by John Gist of Vegas Rock Revolution promotions. It’s five or six bands a night, tops, and it’s impeccably curated to such a degree as to make each one of them count.
Tonight, as an example, will feature five bands, three of whom — Saturna (Spain), Isaak (Italy) and The Quill (Sweden) — are European imports. I think The Quill might’ve come over at some point in their career, but the other two I’m pretty sure are making the trip for the first time. That would make it special enough. They’re to be joined by Oakland’s Phantom Hound, and Austin’s The Well, who play first and third, respectively. For me, it’s firsts for all save The Well, and I’m not Joey Goestoeveryshow, but nights of such proportion and anticipation are not of regular occurrence. So yes, special. That’s what you come for.
Here’s the night as it happened. I was there early enough to see The Quill soundcheck, which was well before doors. I’ll do my best on tenses, but no promises for consistency will be made. Reread this paragraph if you don’t know what I’m talking about. Typos too, while we’re doing disclaimers. I’m on my phone and doing my best to give some sense of what it’s like to be here while I am. Thanks for reading on if you do.
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The Show
Phantom Hound
It’s gonna be a (Planet Desert) rocker weekend, and Phantom Hound rocked the start of it. Big Alice in Chains circa Facelift/Soundgarden vibes vocally on their 2024 album, From Boom Town to Ghost Town, but the delivery was more direct from the stage, and there was room in the sound for the grunge later anyhow. That wasn’t the whole story, is what I’m saying. The room had been filling up, and the Oakland trio brought folks to the front, as one would hope for the night’s opener. That goes back to Gist’s curation, which was the thread last year for sure, and which gives every band a purpose in each slot. The ability to put people where you want them is not a thing to be taken lightly, and Phantom Hound were moody, but in a style able to crossover generations in its appeal, familiar in its roots but heavy and modern in tonality. If you like point of view, and I do, they had it. They nestled into a steady groove in material I didn’t know, and as a first impression of the night, weekend, and for me, the band, since I’d never seen them before, they came across like they know their strengths but are in it for the love of what they do. That gave the songs their soul, which was everything. Dude also shouted out his mom, who was in the crowd, and that was awesome.
Saturna
They said from the stage this was their second time in the US, and for them, this was the culmination of two weeks on the road, so yes, Saturna were basically on fire from the outset. I guess it’s fair to call them veterans since they’ve been around more than a decade, but even after 2024’s The Reset (review here), it’s fair to call them underrated, but they’re right up PDRW’s alley, with a take that blends ’70s and ’90s dual-guitar heavy with strong vocal melodies, enough instrumental flexibility to boogie when called to do so and songwriting that reaches into the progressive without feeling overly self-indulgent. As ends to tours go, they set themselves up (or whoever booked it set them up, anyhow) for a banger finish, which I guess one might do their second time over, but of course they had a hand in that too, with a performance that gave a sense of air, of letting it breathe, while still hitting tight. Hail heavy Spain. I’d never seen Saturna before, but I’m glad I did tonight, and not just because they covered “Never Say Die,” but yes, also that. They also set a high bar for a big rock finish.
The Well
I could tell you the last time I saw The Well, but I’m stoned enough at just this moment to skip the link-dump, and that feels better. It’s been a while. Their soundcheck found them right in the balance vocally, with guitarist Ian Graham and bassist Lisa Alley sharing the role, and after Saturna and Phantom Hound, killer vocals was fast becoming a theme fitting for an evening that would end with The Quill. But The Well. Different approach than either of the first two bands, but carrying elements of both forward from their own standpoint. Their West Coast tour is just starting — they were in Albuquerque last night, are on from here to CA — but their bounce was on point, and that feeling of movement is important to what they do. They had what was diagnosed from the stage as “technical bullshit,” but it was momentary and the sampler was going again soon after, and all was riffs and merriment of a dark but warm variety that the square universe neither could nor will ever realize but sure feels like gnarly mana for weirdos. They’re a pro shop. Maybe the theme for the night is ‘bands who make you happy to be in the room.’ No arguments. Time for a new record from The Well, but I wouldn’t rush them. They’re doing just fine as is. “Here’s a song everyone can relate to. It’s about the end of the world.” Of course it was “This is How the World Ends.” There was no chance they were lying. They had new stuff too, so bonus.
Isaak
I’ve been writing about this band since they were called Gandhi’s Gunn, over 15 years ago now, so to see them for the first time now is a trip. Understand, that doesn’t make me cool any more than it makes me an aardvark (though I also think being an aardvark would be kind of cool), but it gives seeing them some context for me. Their 2024 split with Geezer (review here) was both a hoot and a holler, and again, I was glad again to be here for it. If The Well were bounce and nod, Isaak were a shove, and that was more than called for. I’ll admit I was lagging before they went on (in part the jet- variety, in part just the old man variety), and that was a piece of why I went and sat in the photo pit more than 10 minutes before they went on — penance is I’m pretty sure I sat in spilled beer — but their energy left no room for it. They hit it hard and fast and if I didn’t know them before this I’d be concerned they were blowing themselves out before the tour, but I’m perfectly willing to believe this was how Isaak roll every night. Classic desert riffing, and they made it go. Sixteen years later, it feels nice to have been right in thinking something kicks ass. They might’ve enjoyed “The Way” most, or that might be me projecting. But as much as the immediacy suited them, I was still up front when they turned it hypnotic at the end and absolutely zero regrets on that. I did regret not introducing myself before to go up to the merch table after they were done, which is not always a thing I’m brave enough to do, being social interaction and all.
The Quill
Entering their maybe-40th year as a band, the heavy rocking monsters of Mönsterås were classic to start with, so I’m not sure how you would define them now other than how I just did. And unlike most of the other bands tonight, The Quill didn’t make a tour of it. Frontman Magnus Ekwall even said from the stage they were here just for this occasion. And they made it one. There’s metal in their sound as well as no shortage of rock, but when they hit into the hook of “Queen of Illusion,” it was all of it out together. Ekwall indeed tipped off the night for singers, with backing from guitarist Christian Carlsson and bassist Roger Nilsson, and in addition to respecting The Quill for having been at it as long as they have and, particularly, for making the trip to Vegas, they also killed. Midnight came and went and they made it worth sticking around. With drummer Jolle Atlagic adding to the roll, Carlsson had his Sabbath cross well placed, shredding with precision and soul alike; someone born to do a thing and who’s worked on it for probably well over four decades anyway. Craft was part of the appeal, the memorability of their material, recent or old (they did “Voodoo Caravan,” which they might every show, I don’t care, it was still cool), but it was the heart that sold me on it. If they didn’t love it they wouldn’t be here telling people to buy shirts so they don’t have to take them back to Sweden, belting it out. And once again, it was a shift away from what Isaak were doing, who were a shift from The Well and in through Saturna and Phantom Hound, but there was consistency too, in the songs and the way they handed them to the crowd along with the room’s collective ass. An arena set.
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After Show
Yo it’s like two in the morning, no way am I sorting photos tonight. I entertained the notion for actual earth seconds, but it’ll be there in the morning and presumably so will I. So we’ll have no more talk of that. I’m even more tired than when I did that Hungarian lesson at 6:30 this morning.
It was a good night, and in its sans-bullshit spirit, I’ll dispense with wax poetry about it. PDRW VI picks up tomorrow bright and early (not really) and I’m gonna sleep the crap out of the rest of the night so I can be ready for it.
By the time this is posted, there will be more pics after the jump. Thanks again for reading.
Phantom Hound
Saturna
The Well
Isaak
The Quill
