Utah Concert Review

September 5, 2026September 8, 2026

The Red Clay Strays

The Red Clay Strays • Dylan Gossett • September 2, 2026 • Maverik Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Ava Dalton

There’s a specific kind of energy and, frankly, magic that happens when a band knows exactly who they are before they even step foot on stage, and that’s the energy Dylan Gossett and The Red Clay Strays brought to the Maverik Center on Wednesday, September 2nd. Both bands have a unique and incredible take on traditional country music, and I could not dream up a more perfect pairing.

August 30, 2026September 3, 2026

Ray LaMontagne

Ray LaMontagne • August 23, 2026 • Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Red Butte Garden was packed. This is a show that has been anticipated for over a year. Ray LaMontagne unfortunately had to reschedule his Red Butte Garden show in 2025. Everyone was so happy it was rescheduled, but having to wait another year to see one of their favorite singer-songwriters is not a small thing. Fans were dying to see him, so this show had a buzz of anticipation around it. It had been sold out for months. It was exciting inside the amphitheatre.

August 29, 2026September 4, 2026

5 Seconds Of Summer

5 Seconds Of Summer • The Band Camino • Haiden Henderson •August 26, 2026 • Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

5 Seconds of Summer brought their “Everyone’s A Star” tour to Utah First Credit Union Amp in West Valley, bringing energy and the starry, glamorous boyband experience to their Utah fans. As the saying goes from guitarist of 5SOS, Michael Clifford, “Real bands save fans, and real fans save bands”

August 28, 2026September 4, 2026

Avenge Sevenfold

Avenge Sevenfold • Good Charlotte • Statica • Jayden Hammer • August 25, 2026 • Utah Credit Union Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Colton Kresser

It’s the beginning of 2009, and my dad got me tickets to see Avenged Sevenfold on tour with Buckcherry. It’s the second concert I had ever been to, and at the time, A7X was my all-time favorite band. I have their self-titled album on CD, and it never leaves my CD player. I listen to it on my way to the bus stop, while I’m on the bus, during lunch break at school, on the bus ride home, and then right before bed, I turn their live DVD “Live in the LBC” on my PlayStation 2 as my “white noise” I can fall asleep to.

August 26, 2026September 4, 2026

Courtney Barnett

Courtney Barnett • Zoh Amba • August 22, 2026 • The Complex

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

Courtney Barnett’s Salt Lake stop of the Creature of Habit tour was a massive hit with both the dedicated fans and excited newcomers seeing Barnett live for the first time. The tour stopped in Salt Lake City at The Complex.

August 26, 2026September 4, 2026

Water For Elephants

Water For Elephants the Musical • August 25, 2026 • Eccles Theater

The cast of Water For Elephants Photo by Matthew Murphy for Murphy Made

There’s something special about walking into a theater and feeling like you’re about to be transported somewhere completely different. That’s exactly what happens with Water for Elephants at Eccles Theater. From the moment the circus begins to take shape onstage, the production creates a world filled with colorful characters, impressive movement, and plenty of theatrical magic.

August 25, 2026September 4, 2026

Toto

Toto • Christopher Cross • The Romantics • August 21, 2026 • Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Josilyn Wakkuri Lybbert

On August 21, 2026, fans of all ages gathered at Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre in West Valley City for a night full of songs that have been around for decades from Toto, Christopher Cross, and The Romantics! Luckily, the summer storms that could have brewed and threatened the events of the night kept their distance, so all could proceed as normal!

August 23, 2026September 4, 2026

NEEDTOBREATHE

NEEDTOBREATHE • Drew & Ellie Holcomb • August 15, 2026 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photos by Kevin Rolfe and Mike Ferguson

Some concerts are built around spectacle, while others are about creating a connection with the audience. NEEDTOBREATHE’s night at Sandy Amphitheater managed to do so much of the latter. With Drew and Ellie Holcomb opening the show, the evening was filled with heartfelt songs, powerful performances, and plenty of moments that had the crowd singing along.

August 22, 2026September 4, 2026

UCR INTERVIEW: Kenny Hensley of The Head and The Heart

Beloved Seattle band The Head and The Heart have embarked on tour in support of the 15-year anniversary of their RIAA Certified Platinum self-titled debut album. They are playing Sandy Amphitheater on August 22. We had the opportunity to talk with Kenny Hensley (Piano) earlier in the week. We discuss how he met the other members of the band, celebrating the first album, and much more.

Kenny was interviewed by Kevin Rolfe. Enjoy!

August 21, 2026September 4, 2026

Myles Smith

Myles Smith • August 12, 2026 •The Complex

Reviewed and Photographed by Jenica Howden

On August 12, Myles Smith took the stage at The Complex in Salt Lake City and delivered the kind of concert that felt bigger than the venue itself. From the opening moments to the final song, the energy in the room was impossible to ignore. What stood out most was the crowd. Fans appeared to span every age range, from children as young as seven to adults in their seventies, all sharing the same excitement and singing along to every word.