The Red Clay Strays will bring the biggest tour they’ve ever done, The Grateful Tour, to Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale on Thursday, Sept. 17.
The tour is in support of “Grateful,” their third studio release of deeply soulful country-rock, which hit the Billboard 200 at No. 39 in June 2026.
That release earned a feature in Billboard headlined “How The Red Clay Strays Took Over Country Without Taking Over The Airwaves.”
That airplay issue may have everything to do with the extent to which their music strays beyond the limits of the modern mainstream country formula.
They don’t even see themselves as country, despite those recent big wins at the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music Awards.
As frontman Brandon Coleman addressed
how he might classify their sound in Billboard, “I’ve always just said ‘rock’n’roll,’ because we don’t have any fiddles or anything like that. We’re just three electric guitars, bass, drums and piano. We’re definitely country boys with Southern heritage, but I just never really thought of ourselves as a country music band.”
Prior to launching the tour that brings The Red Clay Strays to Glendale, they rocked the house at Stagecoach country music festival in California.
That set earned a rave from Hit Parader, whose critic noted, “Singer Brandon Coleman dresses like, sounds like, and even holds his axe — a custom, 1950s cigar-box-inspired guitar — like a time traveler. I’ve never before seen a singer with such unshakable, ‘holy-spirit’ self-assuredness, to the point that his crowd commentary between songs felt not unlike a sermon.”
Here's everything you need to know before you go to The Red Clay Strays concert in Glendale.
Where are The Red Clay Strays playing in Phoenix in 2026?
The Red Clay Strays will bring the biggest tour they’ve ever done, The Grateful Tour, to Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale on Thursday, Sept. 17.
Where is Desert Diamond Arena?
Desert Diamond Arena is at 9400 W. Maryland Ave. in Glendale, Arizona, west of downtown Phoenix, in the Westgate Entertainment District.
The Red Clay Strays 2026 tour tickets Glendale, AZ
As of Sept. 8, tickets were available at axs.com starting at $38.93.
What do The Red Clay Strays premium seating tickets include?
Premium seating includes the venue's most comfortable seating in a private theater box, access to private bathrooms and bars, a VIP entrance in the southwest corner of arena, steps from the VIP parking garage, and in-suite catering provided by Levy Restaurants. As of Sept. 8, premium seating was available starting at $1,400 for four tickets.
Who is opening for The Red Clay Strays in Phoenix?
Dylan Gossett and Sweet Talk are the concert's special guests.
What time does Desert Diamond Arena open?
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
What time is The Red Clay Strays concert at Desert Diamond Arena?
The concert starts at 6:30 p.m.
The Red Clay Strays 2026 tour setlist
This is what the setlist looked like when The Red Clay Strays played Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena in Stateline, Nevada, on Sept. 4, 2026, as shared online by fans at setlist.fm (although it should be noted that they tend to change it up at least a little from concert to concert):
- “Demons in Your Choir”
- “Ramblin'”
- “Stone's Throw”
- “Don't Wanna Know”
- “Disaster”
- “If I Didn't Know You”
- “Do Me Wrong”
- “Devil in My Ear”
- “Sunshine”
- “Ghosts”
- “People Hatin'”
- “Revival”
- “Wondering Why”
- “Between the Lines” (Drew Nix song)
- “Down South”
- “Drowning”
- “I'm Still Fine”
- “Fool's Gold”
Encore:
- “Will the Lord Remember Me”
- “Can't Fix You”
- “Wanna Be Loved”
- “No One Else Like Me”
Desert Diamond Arena bag policy: Are purses allowed?
Allowed bags include crossbodies, clutches, wristlets and wallets no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. They do not have to be clear.
Prohibited bags include but are not limited to the following, even if the bag is clear:
- Backpacks.
- Purses that exceed the description above.
- Laptop bags.
- Camera bags.
Guests who require ADA or medical accommodations should contact Desert Diamond Arena Guest Services in advance of the concert.
Can I take water into Desert Diamond Arena?
Guests can bring one factory-sealed water bottle under 17 ounces.
Guests with dietary needs due to medical conditions or religious requirements can email Guest Services to discuss options.
Can I charge my phone at Desert Diamond Arena?
Desert Diamond Arena offers phone charging services through chargeFUZE in multiple locations inside the arena.
Desert Diamond Arena security
All guests will be searched and have their belongings scanned. Desert Diamond Arena may confiscate items that could cause danger or disruption or are in breach of building policies.
Guests are subject to a metal-detector screening, visual inspection and bag inspection. To increase the efficiency of the process:
- Arrive early.
- Travel light and minimize the number of personal items.
- Be ready for inspection before reaching the security screening by removing cellphones, keys, cameras and other personal items from your clothing.
- Guests may be subject to a secondary hand wand screening and/or visual inspection. Any guest who declines to be searched may be denied entry.
- Weapons are prohibited Desert Diamond Arena
- Guns and other weapons are prohibited at Desert Diamond Arena. The arena does not provide lockers and will not check weapons at Guest Services.
- Weapons include but are not limited to firearms (pursuant to A.R.S § 4-229), explosives, stun guns, handcuffs, brass knuckles, sticks, clubs, batons, martial arts instruments, pepper spray, tear gas, knives, etc.
- Guests with such an item will be asked to remove it from the arena or dispose of it. Guests who refuse to comply will be ejected and may be subject to arrest.
Desert Diamond Arena code of conduct
Guests will respect and appreciate one another.
Guests will comply with arena staff instructions related to arena operational and emergency procedures.
Guests will sit only in their ticketed seat and show their ticket when requested.
Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions. Guests are encouraged to report any inappropriate behavior to security or personnel.
Guests will consume alcoholic beverages responsibly. Impaired, intoxicated or underage guests will be promptly and safely addressed.
Smoking, vaping and use of e-cigarettes are not permitted.
Overnight camping is not allowed on property.
Guests who fail to comply with the Code of Conduct may be ejected from the arena without a ticket refund.
Can I bring my pet to Desert Diamond Arena?
Pets of any kind are prohibited in Desert Diamond Arena. Trained service animals and service animals in training are welcome and must be under control of the handler.
Service animals will rest in the seating area of the guest with a disability and not in the aisle. A guest whose service animal poses a threat to the safety of other guests or employees may be asked to escort the animal off the property.
What is prohibited at Desert Diamond Arena?
The following items are prohibited:
- Any object that can be used to inflict bodily injury or disrupt the event, chemical dispensing devices, noise-making devices, two-way radios.
- Any item that may be deemed potentially harmful.
- Cardboard poster tubes.
- Backpacks, purses, laptop bags, camera bags, seat cushions and fanny packs.
- Outside food, beverage, liquid containers, alcohol, cans, bottles, flasks (hydroflasks, metal, etc.) or coolers. Guests are allowed to bring a factory-sealed water bottle under 17 ounces.
- Laptops, any type of personal computers and tablets.
- Laser pointers, flashlights, handcuffs, fireworks.
- Professional photography equipment, detachable/interchangeable lenses, audio/video recording devices, tripods, monopods (selfie sticks), tablets, laptops, computers, promotional materials.
- Signs and posters must be under 2 feet by 3 feet, may not be attached to a pole or stick, and bear no message that may be construed as offensive. Messaging must be event specific. The use of flags or placards as a means of advertising is strictly prohibited.
- Strollers, skateboards, skates, stickers, balloons, markers.
- Pamphlets or product samples.
- Drugs or illegal substances.
- Cigarettes (including vapes and e-cigarettes). Desert Diamond Arena is a non-smoking facility.
Desert Diamond Arena reentry policy
Reentry is prohibited at all Desert Diamond Arena events.
Is Desert Diamond Arena cashless?
Desert Diamond Arena is cashless. Cash is not accepted in the arena or for parking.
Desert Diamond Arena lost and found
Lost items may be claimed at the Guest Services Center across from Section 115 during an event. During nonevent hours, items can be claimed at Gate 3 security or by calling 623-772-3475. Items will be retained for two weeks. After that, they may be donated to charity.
Desert Diamond Arena parking
Desert Diamond Arena parking lots open one hour prior to the door time. Parking is available in lots G, J, L, Yellow, Garage, South VIP, East VIP or West VIP.
Parking costs $15-$75 depending on location.
Prepaid parking provides expedited entry and exit, close proximity to the arena and guaranteed parking until 30 minutes after the event start time.
Prepaid parking can be purchased through parkwhiz.com up to one hour prior to the event.
Guests with prepaid parking should follow the directions to the specific parking lot. Guests without prepaid parking can pay with credit cards only. Cash is not accepted.
Prepaid parking passes are for one regular 12-foot by 18-foot parking space. Oversized vehicles must pay for as many spaces as the vehicle will occupy.
Desert Diamond Arena does not permit overnight parking.
Ed has covered pop music for The Republic since 2007, reviewing festivals and concerts, interviewing legends, covering the local scene and more. He did the same in Pittsburgh for more than a decade. Follow him on X and Instagram @edmasley and on Facebook as Ed Masley. Email him at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The Red Clay Strays tour is playing Phoenix. Your guide to the concert
