Chris Issak & Lyle Lovett

Chris Isaak & Lyle Lovett July• 1, 2022• Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Red Butte Garden started July off on a good note with a double headliner show starring Chris Isaak and Lyle Lovett.  These two legends could not have picked a better date to come to Utah.  The weather was perfect, and everyone was feeling good heading into the Independence Day weekend.   I’ve seen Chris Isaak in concert once.  I was invited last minute and was beyond impressed with the concert.  I’ve always wanted to see him again.  I had never seen Lyle Lovett in concert before this show.  So for me personally, this was a perfect mix of anticipation to see someone I had enjoyed before, and the anticipation of seeing someone I had been wanting to see. 

I chatted with a few people before the show and I asked them if they had seen either artist before.  They had seen both and mentioned that they never pass up the opportunity to see them whenever they come to Utah. They assured me that I was in for a good night.

Continue reading “Chris Issak & Lyle Lovett”

Howard Jones

Howard Jones w/ Midge Ure• June 28, 2022• Red Butte Garden

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

It was a night for 80s icons at Red Butte Garden Amphitheater.  Legendary synth-pop star, Howard Jones played to an adoring sold out audience on a beautiful Tuesday evening in Salt Lake City.  He was joined by the “Voice of Ultravox”, Midge Ure.  An icon in his own right.  Howard Jones has such a strong fanbase here in Utah.  He’s played here so many times over the years and people come back every time he tours through.  I remember one year he was a support act for Barenaked Ladies.  He added his own solo date the next day because there was such a clamoring from his fans to see him in more than a shortened set.  He’s also played shows up at Park City’s Egyptian Theater with just him and a piano.  Those shows always sell out.  There is a connection between Jones and Utah that I can’t totally explain.  But it’s there and both parties embrace it.  

Continue reading “Howard Jones”

Andrew Bird, Iron & Wine

Andrew Bird• Iron & Wine• June 21, 2022• Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Tiffany Mull

Iron & Wine and Andrew Bird filled Red Butte Garden with earthy folk and swanky strings Tuesday night. Both known for smart, bookish lyrics and singular performance styles, they go well together. Iron & Wine (Sam Beam) opened with “Love Vigilantes” followed by “Jezebel.” Without a band, he improvised some beatboxing during “Lovers’ Revolution.”

Continue reading “Andrew Bird, Iron & Wine”

ZZ Top

ZZ Top• June 15, 2022• Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

ZZ Top has been coming to Utah since the 70s. They used to call The Salt Palace home whenever they would come to Salt Lake City. In recent years, Red Butte Garden Amphitheater is the stopping place for the legendary Blues Rock band. ZZ Top helped bring live music back to Red Butte last summer just weeks following the passing of original bassist, Dusty Hill. Less than a year later, ZZ Top made their return with the same lineup, including new bassist and former guitar tech to Hill, Elwood Francis. The moment the band walked on stage, the generally casual garden attendees, jumped to their feet, ready to rock.

Continue reading “ZZ Top”

She & Him

She & Him• June 14, 2022• Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

When Red Butte Garden announced the 2022 lineup for their Outdoor Concert Series I was beyond excited to see She & Him as one of the bands.  They hadn’t been to Utah in a while and I felt like Red Butte Garden Amphitheater was a perfect setting to see them.  When I saw that they would be touring to promote their album Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson, I knew I had to cover this show.  Little did I know how attached to this show I would become.

I was contacted and invited to interview M. Ward (Him) leading up to the show.  After chatting with Ward and learning more about the album and the band’s love of the great legendary songwriter from The Beach Boys, I knew it was a show not to be missed.  In fact, the actual Brian Wilson was playing over at USANA Amphitheatre on the same night, and I still chose to be in Red Butte Garden for this show. That’s how much I wanted to be there! And the night did not disappoint.  

Continue reading “She & Him”

KALEO

KALEO• May 18, 2022• Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

May 18th was the opening night of the Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series.  KALEO was the band to do the honors of opening the acclaimed series.  KALEO hails from Iceland, but their music screams American Delta Blues.  They did not start this series off with a whimper.  If the rest of the upcoming concerts are anything like this one, we’re in for an excellent summer at Red Butte. 

In a way, it almost felt like the first day of school.  Or maybe the first day of summer camp.  There was excitement walking through the gates, into a familiar place I hadn’t been in a while. There were the same people at Will Call, the same security guards, the same people handling press, and many of the same patrons that attend the concert series year after year.  It was like catching up with old friends who I hadn’t seen “over the summer” or “throughout the school year”.  Many hugs were exchanged and conversations were had about what we’d been up to.  It was so fun to see everyone again.  

Continue reading “KALEO”

Red Butte Garden Announces 2022 Outdoor Concert Series Lineup

April 12, 2022—Red Butte Garden released its Outdoor Concert Series lineup today, confirming plans to host a full summer season featuring more than 30 world-renown bands, artists, and performers. Executive director Derrek Hanson and his team are looking forward to welcoming guests back to this popular venue in the Salt Lake City foothills. “We are more than ready to get back to filling the amphitheatre with guests and music—and based on the inquiries we’re getting, we think our guests are ready, too,” said Hanson. He added that this season should have a little something for everyone with a lineup that includes alternative-indie, pop, rock, and folk music. 

Continue reading “Red Butte Garden Announces 2022 Outdoor Concert Series Lineup”