John Legend brought his Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour to The Maverik Center on November 20th. John Legend is a 13-time Grammy winner who has had a huge impact on music. One of the earliest songs that I can remember listening to from John Legend is “Green Light,” which features another impactful artist named Andre 3000. Love In The Future is one of my favorite albums. It features his most-streamed song titled “All of Me” with over 2.9 billion streams. This album was released in 2013, and I have been listening to his music journey since.
Thrice’s stop at the Union Event Center in Salt Lake City on November 15th, 2025, felt less like a routine tour date and more like a triumphant renewal. They brought along with them 2 opening bands. Downward and Modern Color.
Downward delivered a commanding and atmospheric performance as the opening act for Thrice—one that immediately justified the quickly growing buzz around the band. Though taking the stage early in the evening, they wasted no time establishing a presence that felt anything but “opening band” energy. Instead, the room filled steadily as their first notes rang out, drawing in curious listeners who soon became fully captivated.
They opened with “Perfect Food,” a brooding and deliberate start that showcased their gift for tension and release. The mix sat beautifully in the venue: bass thick and warm, guitars sharp but never harsh, vocals cutting through with emotional precision. By the time they pivoted into “UGLY BUG,” the atmosphere had shifted from intrigued to electric. Its jagged rhythms and snarling hooks made it one of the standout moments of the set.
“Request Made” and “LINE” brought a more dynamic interplay of heaviness and vulnerability, demonstrating the band’s ability to balance aggression with melodic intuition. The crowd responded in kind—heads nodding, bodies loosening, a small pocket of fans at the barricade already shouting every lyric.
The highlight of the performance may have been “Your Way,” which landed with particular emotional weight, a slow-burn track that swelled into a cathartic conclusion. “The Waltz” followed with eerie grace, its spiraling guitar lines locking the room into its hypnotic rhythm.
Downward closed with the explosive “GLASSHOUSE,” a finale that left the audience buzzing and perfectly primed for Thrice. By the end of their set, it was clear they hadn’t merely opened the show—they had set a tone, raised a bar, and won over a room that arrived expecting one great band but left talking about two.
As the second opener for Thrice a Modern Color delivered a set that felt less like a warm-up and more like a fully realized experience of its own. Following Downward’s strong opening, the crowd was already buzzing, but Modern Color elevated the atmosphere instantly—pulling people closer to the stage with a commanding yet understated presence.
They began with “Dread,” a brooding track that unfolded slowly, letting the room acclimate to their emotional weight and shimmering guitar tones. The flow into “Empty Rooms” felt seamless, a gorgeous swell of melody and tension that had the audience locked in. By “On & Off,” the band had found that perfect live sweet spot: tight, energetic, and effortlessly dynamic.
“Alone,” “Jacaranda,” and “Fortress” showcased the band’s ability to balance heaviness with vulnerability. Each song carried its own emotional imprint—defiant one moment, reflective the next—yet all felt unmistakably cohesive. The layered vocal harmonies in these mid-set tracks especially stood out, floating above churning bass lines and intricate drum patterns.
The dreamier tone of “Star 9200” offered a moment of serene introspection before the band pivoted into “Now, Life Is Living You,” one of the most affecting performances of the night. Its swelling crescendo earned cheers that felt more like gratitude than applause. The trio of “Opiate,” “Lavender,” and “Sage” kept the momentum building, each delivered with a confidence that showed just how seasoned Modern Color has become onstage.
They closed with “Pale,” a haunting, emotionally charged finale that left the crowd buzzing—primed for Thrice yet fully aware they had just witnessed something special. Modern Color didn’t just fill their slot; they owned it, cementing themselves as one of the night’s standout acts.
Finally, with much anticipation, Thrice took the stage. With their new album Horizons / West freshly released and the accompanying tour still in its early stretch, anticipation buzzed through the sold-out room long before the band stepped onstage. When the lights dimmed and the opening rumble of “Blackout” surged through the venue, the crowd erupted—Thrice was back, refined, energized, and unmistakably themselves.
Lucius played an energy-filled set at The Depot with opening band Attention Bird Utopia. We here at UCR are big fans of Lucius. We’ve had the opportunity not only to cover them on past headlining tours but also their recent co-headlining tour with another favorite, Dawes. When we got the invite to attend and review this tour stop, we jumped at the chance. It should come as no surprise that this concert, just as all of our past experiences seeing these amazing vocalists and songwriters, was amazing.
Utah Concert Review had the privilege to cover Ben Rector’s last stop on his The Richest Man in the World Tour at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on November 15th! It’s been said that this will be his last full band tour for a few years, so the combination of those things made it feel like an extra special occasion! Ben was joined by a band native to Utah, The National Parks. Utah fans love both acts, so it was destined to be a good night!
As much as we love comedy here at Utah Concert Review, we don’t always get to cover comedians. I think they’re afraid that we’ll spoil their jokes. But we would never do such a thing. We’ve always felt like the comedians tell the jokes better than we ever could, so we’ll leave it to them. If there ever was a comedian’s tour that suited what we do best, it’s Fred Armisen’s “Comedy For Musicians But Everyone is Welcome” tour.
(Salt Lake City, UT – November 18, 2025) S&S Presents is thrilled to share the lineup for Kilby Block Party 2026! Taking place Friday, May 15th through Sunday, May 17th at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City, UT, the seventh annual edition of Kilby Block Party will feature performances from 70 artists. The top end of the bill features Lorde, The xx, Turnstile, and Hayley Williams among others. Even with such an incredible lineup of world renowned performers, legendary fan favorites, and on the rise artists, Kilby Block Party remains one of the most affordable music festivals in the country. The festival’s dedication to the fan experience and the care and quality put into their lineups shines through every spring, with last year’s successful edition winning praise as “the ultimate indie musicscape of your dreams,” (Paper Magazine), “an indie fan’s dream fest,” (The Needle Drop), and “the best festival experience I’ve ever had,” (Paste Magazine).
3-Day Pass On-Sale begins Wednesday, November 19th at 10:00 am MST. Tickets & Travel Packages available at KilbyBlockParty.com
3-Day Passes start at $249 with payment plans beginning at just $49 down. All ticket prices are now listed as the ALL-IN Price, with no added fees or taxes at the end of the checkout process. This year, Early Bird Tickets for the festival sold out in record time, and tomorrow’s general on-sale will feature tickets at Tier 1 pricing only available until Wednesday, November 26th or while supplies last. Music fans should act fast to secure their passes while at the lowest available price.
Utah can sometimes feel like a strange stop on a national tour, especially from an outside perspective. It could be easy to assume Utah is just a quiet religious community that keeps things relatively tame, and that concert audiences would mirror that. But, as the real artists know, Salt Lake City is the complete opposite. Just under three years ago, an up-and-coming artist built a fan base from a small show in the city. So this last Friday, when King Princess rolled into The Depot, she knew what she was getting herself into. She was coming back to “some of the wildest fans” she had ever been around.
Leon Majcen supporting Margo Price • November 11, 2025 • The Commonwealth Room
Reviewed and Photographed by Josilyn Wakkuri Lybbert
Margo Price, joined by Leon Majcen, brought her Wild Heart Tour to the Commonwealth Room in Salt Lake City on November 11th. I wasn’t familiar with Margo prior to the show, but I have heard rave reviews, so I was excited to see what the show had in store!
When I arrived at the venue, I loved that the atmosphere felt laid back and calm! It was filled with people, mostly a bit older than I was, which may have contributed to that. Even though they were calm, their anticipation was palpable!
Last week, I had the pleasure of photographing BØRNS as they made their stop in Salt Lake City on their Decade of Dopamine tour! This album, surpassing 10 years, is crazy; it was such an integral part of my early teen years! They played in the heart of downtown at The Depot, one of my favorite venues in the city. It was a sold-out show. Packed with young and grown fans, most of whom have been listening to this band for 10 years!
Everyone was dressed their best, some even in Halloween costumes, as the show was just a few days before then! I was very excited to see him for the first time, and I was taken by surprise that it was the anniversary tour of Dopamine! I sat in front of the stage, eager, just like the rest of the room, to be taken back to a nostalgic and happy time!
A couple of weeks ago, Salt Lake’s local gems, The Moss, kicked off Halloween with their headline show at The Complex! These boys have always put on incredibly fun and dynamic performances. Tyke James is a stellar frontman. They are so full of life and energy, playing groovy bangers to get everyone jumping! They love to put on a good Halloween celebration, and everyone dresses up! The crowd of young and older fans came ready to party!
