Chicago-based indie rock band Ax and the Hatchetmen brought their So Much More to Tell You Tour to a sold-out crowd at Crescent Ballroom on Oct. 29, marking their first Phoenix stop since releasing their debut full-length album, So Much To Tell You, just days earlier on Oct. 24.
Kids That Fly opened the night, setting the tone for an electric atmosphere. Anticipated fans filled the intimate downtown venue for a show full of music from the heart of Chicago.
Formed in 2018, the six member group — Axel Ellis (lead vocals, guitarist), Salvatore Defilippis (guitar), Hunter Olshefke (bass), Nick Deputy (drums), Phil Pistone (trumpet) and Quinn Dolan (saxophone) — have spent the past years building their fanbase through high-energy performances and heartfelt songwriting. Their debut album features 12 tracks, marking a new chapter for the band as they embark on 28 headlining dates across the U.S.
For many in the crowd, the Phoenix stop was a chance to experience the band live for the first time. Preston White, a freshman studying aerospace engineering at ASU, attended with his girlfriend and admitted he was discovering the band as the night unfolded. “I haven’t actually listened to it, so it’s kind of more like listening to it for the first time,” he said.
With hit songs like Hotel Room, Oasis and Love Songs, Ax and the Hatchmen turned their debut album into a shared experience with everyone.
Tiana Yazzie, a dedicated fan, made the six-hour drive from Fort Defiance, AZ, to see the band. “I’ve been listening to them for about the year now. I found them because I heard their music in The Runarounds and I really liked it,” she said.
Ellis plays a main role in the 2025 Amazon Prime Video show The Runarounds. Currently with one season, it follows the journey of a rising band navigating both friendship and fame and showcases the realities of the music industry. Ellis stars as the main lead, bringing his real-life artistry with performing through music and film.
Gabe Johnston, an ASU popular music performance student, came in support of his mother.
“I actually haven’t listened to them until today. My mom is a big fan of The Runarounds and one of the members is in the band. So we went to come see them before we go to the Runarounds concert in January,” Johnston said.
For fans, the night was more than another concert; it was a glimpse of the band showcasing that they truly had so much to tell you.
Edited by Shi Bradley
