Summer nights at Sandy Amphitheater always carry a certain magic. With the Wasatch Mountains silhouetted against the twilight sky and the open-air setting lending itself to a communal atmosphere, the venue is tailor-made for concerts that thrive on energy and connection. On August 17, that spirit was in full force as 311 brought their signature blend of rock, reggae, hip-hop, and funk to Sandy, Utah. For fans who have followed the Omaha-based band for decades, as well as those experiencing their live show for the first time, it was a reminder of why 311 concerts remain such a powerful, communal experience.
Few bands manage to capture the balance between raw rock energy, cosmic exploration, and emotional intimacy quite like My Morning Jacket. Seeing them in concert is not just watching a performance—it’s stepping into a musical experience that feels both timeless and transcendent. That feeling was on full display when the band took the stage at Red Butte Garden Amphitheater in Salt Lake City, turning a summer night into a sweeping journey of sound and spirit.
Summertime in Utah is amazing when it comes to live music. We cover every show we possibly can, but there are just so many tours and local shows that we can’t get to them all. So far, the concerts we’ve been able to cover have been so much fun. They’ve made Summer 2025 a memorable one. Despite many of the shows we’ve been able to attend so far, the anticipation for August 13 was high up on the list. The Ogden Twilight Concert Series hosted The Head and The Heart on their Aperture Tour.
On August 16, 2025, The Plaza at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, hosted one of the most feel-good lineups of the summer as Simple Plan’s Bigger Than You Think! Tour rolled through with openers LØLØ, 3OH!3, and Bowling for Soup. Against the backdrop of Utah’s mountains, a glowing sunset, and the stadium plaza alive with families, longtime fans, and new faces alike, the night was filled with laughter, nostalgia, and heartfelt moments.
When Dispatch takes the stage, it’s never just another concert—it’s an experience rooted in camaraderie, storytelling, and the kind of communal spirit that has defined their career for more than two decades. The Boston-born indie/roots band, long hailed as one of the most successful independent acts in history, has always carried a special ability to turn a performance into a shared moment of humanity. Their concert on August 5 at Red Butte Garden Amphitheater was no exception. Blending their eclectic mix of folk, rock, reggae, and jam-band improvisation, Dispatch reminded fans why their music continues to resonate across generations.
Salt Lake City’s annual Twilight Concert Series is a dream come true for Utah music fans. Tuesday night’s insane pairing of headliner and opener drew a sold-out crowd full of excitement. Many attendees sought shade beneath the trees, enjoying the variety of food trucks and beverage tents while desperately waiting for the music to begin.
Despite it being one of the hottest days of the year in Salt Lake City, crowds of people pressed together across the grounds, hoping to secure a good spot to enjoy the music and catch a glimpse of the artists.
On August 11, 2025, the Maverik Center roared to life as legendary American rock band Shinedown brought their “Dance, Kid, Dance” Tour to Utah. With support from singer-songwriter Morgan Wade and ’90s alt-rock veterans Bush, fans were treated to an evening packed with powerhouse performances, storytelling, and enough pyrotechnics to rival a Fourth of July finale.
Country music fans filled the Maverik Center on Saturday, August 9th, for a stacked lineup featuring Redferrin, ERNEST, and the headlining band that Utah just can’t get enough of, Old Dominion, for their How Good Is That Tour!
I was looking forward to this show as I hadn’t seen Old Dominion since 2017 at a country music festival local to my hometown in Washington. I remember their performance being a highlight of the festival for me, so I was excited to see another performance of theirs nearly a decade later!
This year’s Ogden Twilight Concert Series has filled Ogden Amphitheater with electronic and EDM fans on multiple occasions. High-energy performances by EDM star, Kaskade and a DJ set by Disclosure were raved about by those in attendance. I was not able to be at either of those shows. I was, however, able to make it to Ogden to see Jamie xx. The venue was packed with eclectic fans, both young and old.
I arrived at the Ogden Amphitheater as SEESOOOOO was finishing his set. Judging by the atmosphere inside, he had done his job getting everyone ready for Jamie xx. As I walked through the amphitheater, people seemed to be in great spirits. Fans were buying merch, ordering food from the various food trucks, or grabbing a drink. Many of them were socializing as they danced to the beats. People were feeling good.
My knowledge of Jamie xx comes from his other musical project, the band The XX. I had the opportunity to attend their show here in Salt Lake City back in 2017 at The Complex. I really enjoyed that show and have always hoped they would come back to Utah. If they have been back, I’ve missed those shows. Jamie xx, or James Smith, handles all the synthesizers, drums, keyboards, samplers, sequencers, and production for The XX. So it should come as no surprise to see him perform a DJ set. All of that knowledge and experience brought us an array of sounds for his entire set.
One of the first things I noticed, and the thing that excited me the most, was that Jamie xx was using vinyl records from time to time. I loved seeing that. Once upon a time, that was the only way DJing worked. And to see him pulling those records out of their sleeves was pretty cool. Watching Jamie xx from up close, I could see how focused he was on producing the best music for this audience.
I’m not going to lie, I have very limited experience or knowledge of what EDM DJs actually do. If you told me they just pushed play and pretended they were doing stuff, I might believe you. I have no idea. But being in the photo pit and watching Jamie xx work, he seemed like he was making a ton of adjustments and tweaks to the music. He had his headphones on and off, I’m guessing, listening to what was coming to make the best transition from one song to another. He was turning nobs and adjusting levels the entire night.
It was fun to watch the crowd react to these songs. People were dancing so freely. I could tell they just wanted to feel the beats and be connected with the music. My favorite part was when a song would sound like it was winding down. People would applaud as if there was about to be an end to the song. Just then, the beats would perfectly pick up, and the crowd would go nuts as the song either kept going or the next song was blended in. The entire night felt like one big song. It was a really fun experience.
On July 30, The Lumineers brought their Automatic World Tour to Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre to promote their newest album. With them, they brought their signature mix of emotional storytelling and foot-stomping folk energy. The excitement was felt long before the music started. Merch lines stretched far, and fans were chatting with friends while anticipation grew. Many came dressed in nods to the band’s aesthetic. Including plenty of flower crowns in tribute to their hit “Flowers in Your Hair.”
