Keith Urban • Chase Matthew • Alana Springsteen • Karley Scott Collins • July 18, 2025 • Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe
Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre was packed all the way to the fences for a really fun night of Country Music. Keith Urban brought his “High and Alive World Tour” to Utah and he brought some friends with him. Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen, and Karly Scott Collins filled out the lineup. Giving Country fans a variety of vocalists and musicians at varying degrees of their careers. And what would a Keith Urban concert in Utah be without some weather concerns?
I recall the last time he was here, in 2022, when there were some weather concerns. Urban took the stage earlier that night to try to get in a full set. And he did. It was a memorable night. There was someone from UCR covering a show in Park City. They were in the midst of a weather delay, and that storm looked like it was coming right to us. I was really hopeful the storm would avoid us because Utah First Amp was filled with anticipation and a really fun energy.
Karley Scott Collins
First up in the lineup was Karly Scott Collins. Being on this tour had to be a huge opportunity for Collins. Her career is just getting off the ground, and she’s already opening for Keith Urban. Pretty impressive. Her debut album, “Flight Risk,” will be released September 26 of this year. She performed a short five-song set, but within that time, I could tell that there were many in the audience who became quick fans. The audience enjoyed her cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” and her closer, “Cowboy Sh!t.” I look forward to seeing her move up in the lineup as her career blossoms.
Alana Springsteen
Next up was Alana Springsteen. Having a few more albums under her belt, Alana had some of her own fans in attendance. She opened with “you don’t deserve a country song.” The fans up front moved in close to engage with Springsteen. Alana borrowed a trucker hat from a man in the crowd as she performed, “Look I Like”. I enjoyed the way she interacted with the crowd. Being an opener can be an intimidating experience. But Springsteen looked comfortable on that stage. I was impressed with her stage presence. She bravely covered Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats.” That is not an easy song to sing and leaves a lot to live up to. I thought Alana did a good job, and the crowd loved the cover.
Chase Matthew
In between Alana Springsteen and Chase Matthew’s sets, rain began to fall. For the most part, it was pretty light. But there were a few moments where the rain got heavy enough for fans to run for cover. Chase took to the stage as the rain fell and shared that he’d be performing a shortened set due to the weather. He left an impression on this crowd. Matthew seemed intent on putting the energy of a full set into five songs. Well, one of the songs was actually four songs. Chase and his high-energy band played a medley of “Back in Black”, “Give it Away Now”, “In The Name Of”, and “All Night Long.” The rain did not seem to hold Chase back. The stage and catwalk looked a little slippery. But that just seemed to add to the fun.
Chase Matthew closed his set with a crowd favorite, “Darlin’.” I noticed “Darlin’” hats all over Utah First Amphitheatre. I’m sure there was a lot of disappointment that Chase had to cut his set short. But he still gave them a high-energy set and had the tone where it needed to be for Keith Urban to take the stage. Unfortunately for Matthew, his set was the only one affected by the weather. Let’s hope he can come back soon and play a full show for his fans.
Keith Urban
The weather was still a little uncertain. But what was certain was Keith Urban wanting to take the stage and get through the show for his fans. Urban walked on stage about ten minutes or so before his announced set time. I’m sure he wanted all the time necessary to work around any potential weather issues. We were fortunate that his two-hour performance went off without any significant weather problems.
One thing is for sure: Keith Urban not only knows how to put on a show, but he knows how to start a show. He opened with “Straight Line” off his latest album, “HIGH.” The upbeat song had people dancing instantly. I was moving around, taking photos during this song, and people who hadn’t returned to their seats weren’t walking or running; they were dancing back to their seats. People were smiling so big. There was such a good feeling in the air.
He followed “Straight Line” with “Where the Blacktop Ends” off his 1999 self-titled album. So already we were given a song from the early days and a newer song. This setlist was perfect for me and any Keith Urban fan. “Long Hot Summer” had the crowd cheering and clapping along. I bet this was the first show on Keith’s tour where it didn’t feel as much like summer. The weather was perfect. The rain seemed to cool things down. I loved it.
I jokingly like to brag to my friends that I’m in the “Days Go By” video. So when Urban took it back to 2004, I had to faux-brag to the people around me. Truth is, I am technically in the video. Keith Urban filmed the concert footage for the video at the Ventura County Fair in Ventura, California. I was at the show, and from the overhead shot of the audience, I think you can see a maroon speck. That’s me in my Old Navy maroon ring tee with navy blue rings. So I’m sure you can imagine why I’d have a connection to this song. Also, it’s a good song, and Keith played the heck out of it at this show.
What might have been my favorite part of the concert was when Keith Urban transitioned from “Kiss a Girl” into “Who Wouldn’t Want to Be Me.” The last time Keith was here, he had a wheel of songs. He had a fan spin the wheel, and whatever song it landed on, he would play. “Who Wouldn’t Want to Be Me” was one of the songs, but unfortunately wasn’t the song the wheel landed on. So we didn’t get to hear it. It’s one of my top favorite Keith Urban songs.
So when I heard the banjo playing that familiar riff, I got really excited. I absolutely love that song. I even had the opportunity to listen to it as I was driving from Georgia to Tennessee this year. So I could sing the lyrics “Through the prettiest country, From Georgia to Tennessee, as it was happening. It’s the simple things in life, folks. I’m so glad he played that song. I think it should have a permanent spot in the setlist. But I understand. With so many hits, how do you narrow it down?
Things just got even more exciting when Keith Urban played “Somebody Like You.” Utah First Amp collectively sang out the lyrics. This is one of those songs that are so infectious it’s impossible not to feel good. Urban has performed this song so many times. But the way he performed it didn’t feel like it. He seemed to be loving the moment just as much as us. People were dancing all over the place.
Concerts have these special communal moments. Songs like this provide that experience. Urban reached out and touched the hands of the fans up close, called out to the people on the lawn, and chuckled at our enthusiasm a few times. He had us sing “Love Somebody Like You” in sections. Each section singing louder than the other. He had just guys named Steve sing, then just women named “Vicky.” Everyone was having fun. Huge highlight of the night.
Keith Urban then made his way through the audience, taking selfies and high-fiving fans until he got to a B-stage at the foot of the lawn. He then performed an acoustic snippet of Chappel Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.” He followed that with “You’ll Think of Me.” Another song I wasn’t sure I’d hear at this show. He sounded so good singing this. Just Keith and an acoustic are a good combination. Joined by a choir of fans made for a special moment.
Urban returned to the main stage and performed “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” I love the tempo of this song. I know this is a huge song for Keith, but I still think it’s underrated. There’s nothing like a good song. And this is a very good song. This is one of those sway back and forth and sing-along type songs. And that’s exactly what happened. The breeze blew by, and the night was wonderful.
The main set closed with “Wasted Time” from the same album as “Blue Ain’t Your Color”, “Ripcord.” The energy of this show stayed elevated the entire night. “High and Alive” was the perfect name for this tour.
The encore consisted of two covers. “Making Memories of Us,” a song by The Notorious Cherry Bombs that was a big hit for Keith, set the crowd in a loving and nostalgic place. The night ended surprisingly with a cover by The New Radicals. The late 90s hit, “You Get What You Give”, a message Keith Urban mentioned he liked, closed the show. We made it to the end without having to stop for weather.
Keith Urban can come back to Utah anytime. I love his concerts. He puts everything he has into them. He’s a great vocalist, has great songs, and totally kills it on the guitar. It’s a show worth attending and an environment where positivity surrounds you.