Squeeze September 7, 2019, Deer Valley

By: Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

I forget sometimes how iconic a band Squeeze is.  Of course, they have hits in the US like “Tempted” and “Pulling Mussels (From the Shell).  But they are much more than their hits. At one point Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford were considered “Heirs to Lennon and McCartney’s throne”.  And while that correlation may or may not have taken place, the British rock band have definitely left their mark over the last 45 years. Squeeze was the perfect band to close out this summer’s Deer Valley Concert Series.

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe
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Thievery Corporation August 23, 2019, Deer Valley

By: Cassilyn Anderson

Photo Credit: Cassilyn Anderson

With the stars shining up against the mountains, and along the silhouetted trees the beautiful stage of the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater at the Deer Valley Resort played host to one of the most interesting bands I’ve ever seen.  The Deer Valley Concert Series invited Thievery Corporation to be its guest for the second to last show of the summer. Nights like this just don’t happen very often, so I was glad I got to be there.  

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John Butler Trio+ August 17, 2019, Deer Valley

By: Kevin Rolfe

Photo By: Kevin Rolfe

I’ve spent the last several minutes staring at a blank page, trying to choose the genre or style of music that best describes the John Butler Trio +.  I couldn’t settle in on a genre so I went to my Apple Music account and looked up what they titled JBT+ under. Well, it would seem they were as unsure as I was.  They were listed under Rock, (I agree with that) Roots Rock, (Yep sound about right) Alternative (Yeah that works) and Jam Band (There was some serious jamming going on so, yes).  Then I ventured over to Wikipedia and they added Blues Rock and Funk Rock. Here’s the thing, all of these are exactly right! So I guess it’s safe to say that John Butler and his trio plus one are an Alternative Blues Funk Roots Rock band that absolutely killed it at Deer Valley last Saturday night.  If there was an award for “Deer Valley Concert of the Summer”, this one would most certainly be one of the favorites to win that prize. 

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Ben Harper & Trombone Shorty August 11, 2019, Deer Valley

By: Tiffany Mull

Photo By: Kevin Rolfe

It’s impossible to hold your head steady when Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue are playing. After Jessy Wilson warmed up the crowd, Troy Andrews and his band took the stage by storm with two full drum sets, three guitars (one bass), two saxophones (tenor and baritone), two backup singers, and Troy himself alternating between the trombone, trumpet, and vocals—nothing short of epic.

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Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real August 8, 2019, Deer Valley

Photo By: Fred Hayes

The beauty of live music is the simple fact that no live show is exactly the same.  And Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real was a testament to that! Never has the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater felt more outdoors than it did on the night of August 8, 2019.  Not only were we treated to one of the best shows so far in the Deer Valley Concert Series, but on this night, ‘Ol Mother Nature didn’t want to be left out of the action.  

The evening began as any other might at a Deer Valley concert.  Many fans showed up early, lawn chairs in one hand, picnic baskets in the other ready to wine and dine with their friends on the hill before an incredible night of music.  This is one of my favorite aspects of the Deer Valley Concert series. We get to escape the warmer temperatures of the Salt Lake Valley and enjoy a cool pleasant evening with the food, drinks, and pleasant company.  The atmosphere is casual in nature and the 360° views are incredible. 

Photo By: Fred Hayes
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Renée Elise Goldsberry w/ the Utah Symphony July 20, 2019, Deer Valley

By Kevin Rolfe

Photo By: Kevin Rolfe

When I saw the 2019 Deer Valley Music Festival Utah Symphony summer lineup, one of the first names that stuck out was Renée Elise Goldsberry.  Renée has had an extensive career on Broadway, but the reason she is headlining this concert is due to her originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in the smash-hit musical, Hamilton.  Ever heard of it? Not only did she originate that role, but she won a Drama Desk, Grammy and Tony Award for her performance. So I knew when her name was announced, I knew that I had to be at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater to see this performance.  I’m so glad I didn’t miss this.

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Disney In Concert Utah Symphony July 19, 2019, Deer Valley

By: Kevin Rolfe with contributions by Kerriann Haycock

Photo By: Kerriann Haycock

It was the perfect evening for an outdoor concert!  Escaping the heat, heading up to Deer Valley, throwing down a couple of chairs and a blanket, eating and drinking with friends, what could be more perfect?  How about a concert full of the greatest music from the Disney songbook? Sounds like the perfect evening! As part of their Deer Valley Music Festival series, the Utah Symphony presented Disney in Concert: A Magical Celebration at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater.  

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Jenny Lewis July 11, 2019, Deer Valley

By: Kevin Rolfe

Photo By: Kevin Rolfe

Have you ever been to a concert that you really enjoyed and thought, “You know, I really wish I could see this show again really soon!”?  But you know that in most cases it’ll be up to a year and most likely longer until that artist returns to your city. It doesn’t happen often, but this year we were fortunate to have Jenny Lewis bring her On The Line Tour through Utah twice in the last two months.  Jenny Lewis gave a rousing performance at The Commonwealth Room on May 18 then returned to Utah but this time up in Park City as part of the Deer Valley Concert Series at Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater on July 11.  Same tour, same artist, two very different shows.  

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Underground Railroad Tour Featuring Zion I & Equipto July 4, 2019, The Cabin

By: Mike Gomez

Photo By: Mike Gomez

Underground Hip Hop is an interesting art form and Zion I seems to represent the genre to the fullest.  With the ability of the public to pay for individual songs, rather than having to buy an entire album, it is imperative that artists of all genres tour consistently to remain relevant and connect with their fans.  Luckily, Oakland, California’s Zion I were already reaching the 10,000 hour mark (Malcolm Gladwell) of touring when album sales began to plummet, so their live show is definitely dialed-in. And the legend lives on…

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