Tag: Utah Concert Review

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Stardew Valley Symphony of Seasons

Stardew Valley Symphony of Seasons • January 27, 2026 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

On the evening of January 27, 2026, the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City came alive with a musical experience unlike any other — Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons. This live performance transformed the beloved world of the indie video game Stardew Valley into a breathtaking orchestral journey that delighted long-time fans. Attendees filled the elegant venue on Main Street, many dressed like characters from the game. They buzzed with anticipation to hear one of the most iconic video game soundtracks performed by a full symphony orchestra in a setting that celebrated artistry, emotion, and communal joy.

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A Beautiful Noise

A Beautiful Noise The Neil Diamond Musical • January 20, 2025 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles

Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles

I was there at the Delta Center (then called Vivint Arena) when Neil Diamond played his final Salt Lake City show. It was shortly after that Mr. Diamond announced his retirement from touring due to his Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis. It’s been a long time since that same energy has been felt here. When I walked into Eccles Theater on January 20, 2026, it was clear to me that Diamond-Mania had been resurrected and was the strongest it had been since 2017. Utah loves Neil, so it came as no surprise that the run of The Neil Diamond Musical, A Beautiful Noise, brought huge audiences every night of the run.

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The Ocean Blue

The Ocean Blue • January 17, 2025 • The Egyptian Theater Park City

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

On a crisp evening in Park City, Utah, the intimate and historic Egyptian Theatre provided an enchanting backdrop for an unforgettable night of music as The Ocean Blue returned to Utah on their Frigid Winter Days Tour. Known for their shimmering jangle and thoughtful lyricism, the band transformed their three-night residency in the cozy venue from quiet anticipation into a warm, pulsating world of sound that felt both nostalgic and immediate.

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Leon Thomas

Leon Thomas • Ambré • December 11, 2025 • The Depot

Reviewed and Photographed by Logan Fang

Photo Credit: Logan Fang

“My name is Leon Thomas, and I like to dance.” 

Standing before what looked like a sold-out audience at The Depot last Thursday, R&B sensation Leon Thomas turned to the crowd to offer a brief introduction before launching into his performance. The succinct greeting was a reminder that, to many, Leon Thomas is not an artist needing an introduction. While the New York native has steadily gained traction online since the release of his debut album Electric Dust, he is no stranger to the spotlight. Thomas got his first start as Tyrone in Backyardigans, a familiar show to most kids who grew up in the 2000s. He then continued his tenure in children’s TV, playing a sentimental, loyal character named Andre Harris in Nickelodeon’s Victorious. Now, Leon is celebrating the release of his Grammy-clad album Mutt on tour, joined by fellow R&B singer Ambré. 

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GENTRI

GENTRI • 10th Anniversary Christmas Tour • November 28, 2025 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

GENTRI’s 10th Anniversary Christmas Tour arrived at Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City with the kind of polish, heart, and theatrical sweep that has defined the trio since their earliest days, but there’s an added sense of celebration this time. An awareness that a decade of work has shaped them into performers who know exactly who they are and what their audience wants. The show feels like both a milestone and a love letter to the fans. Those who have followed them, to the craft they’ve sharpened, and to the cinematic-pop style they’ve spent ten years refining.

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UCR Interview: Marie Bradshaw of The Lower Lights

UCR Interview • Marie Bradshaw of The Lower Lights

Photo Credit: Natalie Haws

Marie Bradshaw is a vocalist in the American Supergroup, The Lower Lights.  They will be performing a run of concerts at Kingsbury Hall from December 11-13. I’ve had the opportunity to see Marie perform not only in The Lower Lights but with her band, The Hollering Pines.  She has an incredible voice.  These shows are not to be missed.  And she is a huge reason for that.  Marie took the time to visit with me during what is no doubt a busy week of rehearsals and preparation for these shows. I enjoyed our conversation and hope you do as well!   

Interviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Utah Concert Review: This is an exciting week. There are so many people that are anticipating this time of year, and it just doesn’t feel like the holiday season without seeing a Lower Lights concert. How has it been for you preparing and leading up to this week?

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’ Twas the Night Before…

Cirque du Soleil’s “’ Twas the Night Before…” • December 6, 2025 • Eccles Theater

Photo Credit: Brandon Todd, Kyle Flubacker, and Errisson Lawrence, courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles.

Cirque du Soleil’s “’ Twas the Night Before…” is Cirque du Soleil’s first Christmas show, based on the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore. Memorable lines from this cherished classic inspired Cirque du Soleil’s story about a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of Christmas. A festive flurry of love and cheer created especially for families, ‘Twas the Night Before… features thrilling acrobatics performed by a cast of 26 artists sailing from all over the world, lovable characters, and a soundtrack including Christmas favorites re-invented by Cirque du Soleil.

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Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Trans-Siberian Orchestra • Ghosts of Christmas Eve • November 19, 2025 • Delta Center

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photos by Jason McEachern

Photo Credit: Jason Eachern

Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s annual return to Salt Lake City has become something like a holiday ritual—part spectacle, part nostalgic embrace, and part sheer arena-level thunder. The question could be asked, “Is it even the holidays in Utah if TSO hasn’t played here yet?” Their stop at the Delta Center on the “Ghosts of Christmas Eve” tour carried all the familiar signatures of a TSO performance, but it still managed to feel renewed, sharpened, and emotionally tuned to the crowd that has followed them for decades. This year’s show balanced flash and sentiment with a confidence that only a group this seasoned can pull off.

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Neko Case

Neko Case • November 19, 2025 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

Neko Case occupies a rare place in modern music—a figure who defies the usual boundaries of genre, persona, and expectation. While she’s most commonly associated with alt-country and indie rock, those labels barely graze the surface of what she actually creates. Over the years, Case has established herself not just as a distinctive voice in American songwriting but as an artist whose work feels untamed, imaginative, and defiantly personal. Listening to her catalog is like walking into a landscape where folklore, heartbreak, humor, and wilderness intersect in vivid color.

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