The Ocean Blue • January 17, 2025 • The Egyptian Theater Park City
Reviewed and Photographed by 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.
The Egyptian Theatre, with its glowing marquee and storied walls, has long been a cherished cultural hub in Park City—a place where music, film, and community intertwine. As concertgoers filed through its doors, there was an electric sense of expectation. Some fans arrived with memories stretching back to the band’s early days in the ’80s and early ’90s; others were newcomers, drawn by the wave of admiration that continues to swell around the band’s timeless sound. Regardless of when they first fell under the spell of The Ocean Blue, there was a collective eagerness in the air—a willingness to be transported.
Following the announcements of upcoming shows and thanks to sponsors, the lights dimmed, and the band took the stage. There was a generous applause mixed with a room hushed in reverence. What followed was not just a performance, but an immersive experience. From the first shimmering guitar chord to the closing notes, The Ocean Blue crafted a sonic journey that felt both introspective and communal. Lead singer David Schelzel’s voice—clear, evocative, and distinct—wove effortlessly through lush arrangements, giving life to songs that balance emotional depth with melodic grace.
Songs leaned dark to capture the winter vibe. But the warmth of the audience was evident. The setlist was a thoughtful blend of beloved classics and deeper cuts, each treated with genuine care and delivered with an ease that comes from decades of playing together. Songs like “Between Something and Nothing” and “Ballerina Out of Control” washed over the audience with waves of sound that were at once dreamy and grounded. The band’s interplay was smooth and intuitive: guitars chimed like wind-blown bells, bass lines pulsed with quiet resolve, and the rhythmic backbone kept each song gently anchored even as melodies seemed to float.
There was a beautiful sense of give-and-take between the band and the audience. Fans swayed, closed their eyes to absorb every lyric, and at times sang along in hushed harmony. What could have been a simple performance became, instead, a shared emotional space—a collective embrace of memory, longing, and the transcendent power of music.
The Egyptian Theatre itself seemed to respond to the performance. Its classic architecture and warm acoustics lent the music a richness that might be lost in a larger arena. Every note felt intimate, as though The Ocean Blue was playing directly to each person in the audience.
Midway through, the band took a brief intermission. I enjoyed making my way through the small lobby and listening to fans discuss how good The Ocean Blue still sounds. David Schelzel spoke with the crowd, reminiscing about past shows and expressing gratitude for the faithful support that has carried them over the years, especially in Utah. He discussed how the band was informed before playing a show that they had a number-one hit in Utah. The audience reacted, remembering when that happened. It was a moment of connection that reminded everyone why live music holds such magic—the way it bridges time, space, and personal history.
As the night drew to a close, the band delivered an encore that felt like a benediction—an invitation to carry the evening’s mood beyond the theatre doors and into the cool Park City night. When the final chord of “Love Song” faded, there was a collective reluctance to return to reality, as though the audience wished to linger just a little longer in the dreamlike world The Ocean Blue had created.
Walking out onto the quiet streets, it was clear the performance had left an impression. Conversations spilled into the night, fans replaying moments and melodies in their minds, smiles lingering long after the echo of applause had faded. The Ocean Blue at the Egyptian Theatre was more than a concert—it was a reminder of the timeless bond between artist and listener, and the rare alchemy that happens when a band’s soul meets an audience’s heart.
