Ogden Twilight • The Black Keys • June 9, 2026 • Ogden Amphitheater
Reviewed and Photographed by Marlo Matamoros
The Ogden Twilight Concert Series made its return to the Ogden Amphitheater on June 9. Just like last year, it features a stacked lineup, including series opener, The Black Keys. I would consider the Ogden Twilight series to be one of Utah’s strongest summer music series. The series brings nationally and internationally well-known artists to downtown Ogden with affordable pricing. The value that you get when attending any of the shows is something that is recognized in the community and by music fans around the state.
Last year was the first time I attended the series, and I was excited to be back for the first show. The surrounding area of the amphitheater was packed with people. There is a park and lawn area right outside of the amphitheater where people put out their blankets and await the concert. I think of it like a small tailgate party leading up to the concert itself. Once I was checked in, one of the first things I noticed was the expansion of food trucks and the layout compared to last year.
Fai Laci
Fai Laci was the opener for the show. Interestingly enough, the group from Boston has a big connection with The Black Keys. The band is signed to the Easy Eye Sound label, which was founded by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Dan also produced their debut album Elephant in the Room. Their energy and alternative rock sound was the perfect fit for both The Black Keys and opening the Twilight series. By the time that they had hit the stage, the amphitheater was filled up to the bleachers.
They had a quick set, performing songs like “Elephant” and a Johnny Cash cover. During their set, lead singer Luke Faillaci told the crowd that there is “A lot going on in the world and that it is up to us to make it better”. It may have been a quick set, but it was impactful and entertaining. Once it concluded, Luke walked off and disappeared into the crowd, leaving the crowd curious.
It was time for a quick intermission. The food and drink vendors were filled with lines. There were also still people coming into the amphitheater, which was a surprise because of how packed it already was. There were free water refill stations to keep the fans fueled for the show. It was fun to see all The Black Keys merch that filled the amphitheater. Also, all of the different international soccer jerseys with the World Cup coming up. The Ogden fire department was there taking photos with the festival goers.
The Black Keys
The Grammy award-winning duo from Ohio would soon hit the stage. Dan and Patrick formed around 2001 and began creating music in Patrick’s basement. Interesting to think that Fai Laci has a similar story to the start of their career. The Black Keys have performed in some of the biggest arenas around the world, including The O2 Arena in London and Madison Square Garden. They have also performed at some of the biggest festivals, including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Coachella. I think this speaks for the Twilight Series and their ability to attract artists who perform on some of the biggest stages around the world, and keep it at a great price for the people of Utah.
One of their popular albums, titled El Camino released in 2011 and had huge success with album sales. Now on Spotify alone, they have around 10 million monthly listeners. I think this is a great showcase of the longevity of their work and influence.
The Black Keys had an immediate impact as they walked out onto the stage. Everyone stood up onto their feet and began to sing every lyric. The group played some of their older classics and shared that they would be playing music from their newest album, titled Peaches! As I walked around the amphitheater looking for locations to photograph, it was amazing to see everyone with that same energy. The audience had a wide demographic, from young fans to older couples in their 60’s and 70’s.
It was great to hear The Black Keys live and hear the rawness in their performance. An hour into their set, they played one of my favorite songs, titled “Howlin’ for You”. If you haven’t heard this song before, I would highly recommend it to get a feel for their sound and to be part of a song that was part of their breakout era. The Black Keys were the perfect group to open the Ogden Twilight series. I heard a lot of positive feedback from the crowd, with people saying they were impressed and how the set brought back their younger self when they first discovered the group.
There are a few shows that aren’t sold out yet, and if you’re on the fence, I would highly recommend checking out what the Ogden Twilight festival is all about. Click here for ticket information!