On June 28, 2025, The Strike closed out their five-stop North American tour with a high-energy performance at Utah’s newest concert venue, the Rio Tinto Kenecott Stage at America First Square in South Jordan. The venue in Daybreak is part of the new ballpark that is home to the Salt Lake Bees. As a photographer and concert lover, I’ve been to countless venues across the state—and I can confidently say this one is a standout. It was Utah Concert Review’s first time covering a show at the venue, and I’m already looking forward to coming back.
There are certain moments in my life when I can point to a specific moment when I first heard a song or a band. I’ll never forget the day I was introduced to Incubus. A good friend of mine told me that he discovered this band. He was infatuated with them. Growing up about ten minutes away from Calabassas, California, where Incubus is from, I think we had an extra affinity towards them. We knew where they signed their record deal. Or at least where they were rumored to have signed. It was a Red Robin. Don’t tell me if it isn’t true. Because even now, when I drive by that restaurant, I tell people, “That’s where Incubus signed their record deal.” I’d prefer to keep saying that. Some of my friends were in art class in middle school and high school with these guys.
Nestled amid the trees and foothills of the Wasatch Front, one can find one of the best Venues in all of Utah, Red Butte Garden Amphitheater. Last weekend, Folk band Watchhouse took that foliage-surrounded stage and turned the quiet hillside into a sanctuary of sound. With subtle and sweet melodies, intimate lyrics, and musicianship that could stop someone in their tracks, the North Carolina-based folk duo shared a performance that felt more like a neighborhood gathering than a concert. Setting up the evening to be even more memorable, a stirring supporting set from Colorado-based indie folk group Frail Talk was in store.
The Salt Lake Twilight concert series is a collection of shows that takes place every summer, hosted at either the Gallivan Center or Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. It brings in some of the best bands and artists that people want to see. With a stacked lineup of shows this summer, the concert series yields an amazing show for all ages, and the EARTHGANG show did not disappoint. One of the great things about this concert series is that it consistently does a great job of highlighting Utah’s local bands to open for such legendary headliners. For this concert, we had Utah-based band Bad Luck Brigade.
The Summer Of Loud tour came through Salt Lake City on the 8th of July. The Tour includes four headliners, including Beartooth, Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive, and I Prevail. I haven’t been to the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre yet this year, so I was excited to be there for this show. The festival was an all-day event that took place under an over-90-degree sun.
American Folk band JOSEPH, one of our favorite live bands here at Utah Concert Review, returned to Salt Lake City at The Commonwealth Room. JOSEPH, since 2014, has been a trio consisting of sisters Natalie Closner, Allison Closner, and Meegan Closner. The latter two are twins. In August 2024, it was announced that Allison would be stepping away. This was JOSEPH’s first time playing Utah as a duo since Allison’s departure. I was curious to see how the band would sound. What would be different? And what would still be the JOSEPH we know and love?
Country Music singer, Cody Johnson, brought his “Leather Deluxe Tour” to Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre on Saturday, Jun 28, 2025. He brought Wade Bowen and Mae Estes along with him. The last time we covered CoJo was back in February 2020, just weeks before the world shut down due to the pandemic. He was opening for Country Music superstar Miranda Lambert at the Delta Center in downtown Salt Lake City. I remember enjoying his energetic performance. He set the bar high for Miranda, and it made for a great night of Country Music.
There’s something so cool about seeing a musician along the journey of their career go from supporting other artists on their tours to headlining their own tour. I was happy for Cody Johnson that his career has gone the way it’s gone. He not only brought his headlining tour to one of Utah’s largest concert venues, but he sold the place out! I’ve said this before, and I’ll most likely say it every time I attend a Country concert, but there is nothing like the vibe at this type of show. People were in great spirits. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. And this was in between sets! I’m sure you can imagine what it was like when the music was actually being played. I was happy to be at Utah First Amp for this show.
The X Games made its Salt Lake City 2025 debut on June 27, and if there was any question about whether Utah was ready to party, deadmau5 answered it loud and clear.
After a long, hot day filled with some of the best action sports on the planet—Moto X backflips, BMX tricks that defied gravity, and skateboarders flying off vert ramps—the energy at the Utah State Fairpark somehow didn’t die down. Instead, it hit a whole new level once the sun set and the stage lights came on.
The first-ever Summer Of Loud tour, which unites some of the heavy hitters of hard rock as co-headliners — Beartooth, I Prevail, Killswitch Engage, and Parkway Drive — for a summer-long run across the U.S. and Canada.
There are just some shows that are more anticipated than others. Mumford & Sons was that show for me. It had been six years since the guys had played Utah. This would be my first opportunity to review and photograph one of my favorite bands. It seemed very clear inside Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre that I was not the only one eagerly anticipating this concert. We had waited long enough, and now we were all getting to experience the North American Tour promoting the release of “Rushmere”.
