Phoenix monsoons don’t play fair, and on Sept 27 the city was drenched in storms and flooding — but you wouldn’t have known it inside Cactus Jack’s, where the room was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with fans ready to dance. And for those who braved the rain to make it inside, Piper Connolly & The Habit delivered a set that turned a stormy night into a legendary one.
From the jump, the band set the tone with their now-infamous Beat It / Locked Out of Heaven mashup — a combination no one ever sees coming, and one that instantly had the room screaming and moving.
The surprises didn’t stop there: midway through the night, they dropped an unexpected cover of Katy Perry’s California Gurls — and just when the crowd thought it couldn’t get wilder, Flaco jumped in to cover Snoop Dogg’s part, delivering it every bit as smooth and laid-back as Snoop himself. The room exploded — screams, laughter, hands in the air — it was one of those moments that felt both hilarious and iconic, the kind you only get when The Habit decides to flip the script.
Piper’s originals anchored the set with force — chameleon, warning, kiss like me, and welcome back girl standing tall alongside classics from local heroes Jimmy Eat World (Sweetness), Jefferson Airplane (Somebody to Love), and The Doors (Break on Through). Each transition showcased The Habit’s range: guitars trading fire, rhythm section shaking the walls, keys and harmonies shimmering through, and Piper herself commanding every inch of the stage with boundless energy.
And then came the moment fans now wait for — the legendary conga line. First introduced back in June, it has quickly become a core part of The Habit’s live lore. What began as a spontaneous spark has grown into a full-on tradition: a swirling procession weaving through the venue, uniting everyone in the room. It’s the perfect example of how this band doesn’t just play shows — they build unforgettable, communal experiences.
At the heart of it all is Piper Connolly — the kind of frontwoman who sets the tone, drives the energy, and pulls every eye in the room. But what makes the show transcendental is how The Habit rises to meet her. Julian and Dalton kept guitars blazing all night, their interplay swinging from tight riffs to explosive solos. Nakota’s bass locked in with Landon’s thunderous drums, giving the room its pulse. Flaco brought both texture and surprise — from shimmering keys to his unforgettable Snoop cameo — while Izzy’s harmonies wrapped around Piper’s lead, lifting it into something otherworldly. Together, they’re not “just a band” or “just a backing group” — they’re The Habit, a seven-piece powerhouse whose chemistry and fire make every stage feel too small for the sound they unleash.
What makes Piper Connolly & The Habit unstoppable is not just their skill but their unpredictability. Even though they’re gigging constantly, no two setlists are the same. Fans now show up wondering not only what the opener will be but placing bets on the encore (The Chain this time, bee tee dubs, in an acoustic switch that closed the night on a high). That sense of spontaneity keeps every show electric, fresh, and unforgettable.
To everyone who slogged through flooded streets to make it inside — thank you. Nights like these prove why this community shows up, rain or shine. And thank you to Cactus Jack’s and their crew for keeping the lights up, the sound big, and the drinks flowing. This was one for the books.
credit: Grace Smith