Grace Potter • Bella Peadon • June 16, 2026 • Red Butte Garden
Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe
On a warm summer evening in Salt Lake City, Grace Potter transformed Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre into a celebration of rock, soul, and raw musical talent. One of my favorite things about attending a show at Red Butte is no matter how hot it might have been that day, that area always cools down at night. One of the many reasons attending a show there is so great. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the foothills and the lush garden setting, the outdoor venue provided the perfect environment for a performance that felt both intimate and electrifying.
Bella Peadon
The show opened with up and comer, Bella Peadon. The budding talent did a nice job engaging with the audience and endearing herself to them. She told stories, asked questions, and her warm personality matched the temperature while she was on stage. She shared that this was the biggest audience she had played for. If that’s the case, she seemed natural and as if this was the size crowd she had often performed in front of. She sang her songs, covered The Chicks, and got things started for Grace Potter. I’m exicited to see what she does after this tour.
Grace Potter
From the opening moments of the show, Potter demonstrated why she has earned a reputation as one of the most compelling live performers in modern rock. She walked on stage with effortless confidence and immediately captured the attention of the audience. She was already in midshow form. Moving across the stage and shredding on her guitar. The audience who had been pretty relaxed and low energy throughout the night, jumped from their chairs and did their best to match her energy.
Potter’s vocals were the centerpiece of the night. She moved seamlessly between smoky, soulful verses and powerful rock choruses, displaying a remarkable range that few performers can match. Whether she was delivering a heartfelt ballad or a high-energy anthem, every lyric felt genuine. The emotional weight in her singing gave the concert a sense of authenticity that resonated throughout the crowd.
The setlist offered a strong mix of fan favorites. This allowed both longtime followers and casual listeners to find moments to connect with. Upbeat songs like “Something I want” from Disney’s Tangled, had the audience dancing in their seats and swaying along to the rhythm, while slower numbers with a groove like “Low Road” created opportunities for us to catch our breath and reflect on what we were experiencing. Potter’s ability to shift the mood of the amphitheatre from celebratory to deeply personal was one of the evening’s greatest strengths.
Throughout the concert, she showcased her talents as a multi-instrumentalist, moving between guitar and keyboards with ease. Her keyboard playing added warmth and texture to several songs, while her guitar work complemented the blues-rock foundation of the band. These transitions felt natural and unforced, highlighting the depth of her musicianship without distracting from the performance itself.
One of my favorite moments of the show was when Grace and the band performed “Love Me Not” from her upcoming album Tresspasser. Grace shared with the audience that this would be the first time they would ever be peforming the song live, and that they had only rehearsed it earlier in the day. They all seemed excited but a little nervous to be playing the song in front of people. Potter quickly discussed off mic a few transitions with the band and then they went for it. I obviously don’t know all the nuances of this song, but from my perspective and from the reaction from this audience, everything went off without a hitch. It was really fun to see them play through the song. It’s one of the perks of being the first show on the tour.
Potter also took time to engage with the crowd, sharing stories and expressing appreciation for the unique atmosphere of Red Butte Garden. Her interactions felt relaxed and sincere, helping create a connection that made the large amphitheatre feel surprisingly personal. She has always had such a good relationship with Utah. The audience can feel that and that’s why we’re glad she keeps comming back. Fans respond enthusiastically to her, cheering between songs and singing along whenever the opportunity arose.
As darkness settled over the Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre, the performance seemed to gain even more momentum. The stage lights glowed against the surrounding trees, and the mountain backdrop added a dramatic visual element that enhanced the music. Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre has long been known for offering memorable outdoor concert experiences, and this show was another example of why the venue is so highly regarded.
Several songs became clear highlights of the evening as Potter allowed them to evolve beyond their studio versions. She stretched vocal lines, encouraged the band to explore extended grooves, and embraced the unpredictability that makes live music special. These moments gave the concert a sense of spontaneity that kept the audience fully engaged from beginning to end.
By the time the encore arrived, the crowd was completely invested. The final songs were met with loud applause, enthusiastic sing-alongs, and a collective energy that reflected how much the audience had enjoyed the performance. “Paris (Ooh La La) was a perfect encore song. And “You and Tequila” was a great closer. Potter seemed to be giving everything she had, delivering a finale that felt both triumphant and heartfelt.
Grace Potter’s appearance at Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre was more than just another stop on a tour. It was a reminder of the power of live music when an exceptional vocalist, a talented band, and a beautiful venue come together on the same night. Her combination of soulful emotion, rock-and-roll energy, and genuine connection with the audience created an unforgettable evening beneath the Utah sky.
On the side of the stage there was a boy dancing to all of the songs. I’m not sure if this was Grace’s child, or a member of the band’s kid. Regardless, they seemed to be having so much fun. This kid encapsulated what all of us were feeling that night. The opportunity to see this incredible band perform these amazing songs and freely dance to the music under the stars at Red Butte Garden. I think we’ll see Grace Potter here in Utah again. We look forward to that day. Until then, we wish he well on the rest of her tour.
