Alison Krauss and Union Station • Willie Watkins • July 25, 2025 • Red Butte Garden Amphitheater
Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe
Bluegrass legends Alison Krauss and Union Station, featuring Jerry Douglas, have reunited. They hit the road for the first time in a decade. Earlier this year, they released their eighth studio album, “Arcadia.” They brought their tour of the same name to Red Butte Garden Amphitheater on July 25. I can’t think of a better pairing of band and venue. I have seen Alison Krauss before, so I knew that this would be an amazing night of music. However, seeing her with Union Station is an altogether different experience. One that I knew I wanted to check off the list. Am I ever glad I did.
Willie Watson
The evening began with Willie Watson. The American singer-songwriter made his presence known right away. He humorously called out the front row for being on their phones, hoping that he would eventually get them to put them away. He played guitar, banjo, and harmonica throughout his set. Watson is quite the character. He told interesting stories and self-deprecatingly hoped that the crowd liked him. It seemed that the audience was engaged and entertained by his music and storytelling.
Willie Watson, a founding member of Old Crow Medicine Show, told the audience about being cast in the Coen Brothers film, “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.” He played the song written by his friends Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, “When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings.” The song Watson performed in the movie. I thought Watson was an entertaining opener and did a great job winning over the audience.
Alison Krauss and Union Station
I don’t claim to be an expert when it comes to Bluegrass Music. I enjoy it, I listen to it, I think I know if a Bluegrass band is good or not. You don’t have to be an expert in Bluegrass Music to know that Alison Krauss and Union Station are one of the most talented Bluegrass bands in the history of that genre. If you weren’t sure before, then it would take you about thirty seconds or less of the opening song, “Looks Like the End of the Road,” to know how exceptional this band is.
Alison Krauss addressed the audience. “I don’t think the night could be any more beautiful. We were here, we heard all the fireworks yesterday for Pioneer Day.” Fans started shouting out “Pie and Beer Day!”. They were very insistent that the band know about “Pie and Beer Day.” It was a little obnoxious, to be honest. But the moment quickly passed. Until later, when someone else brought up Pioneer Day, and they had to shout it out again. Nothing wrong with Pie and Beer Day, but I think musicians with inner ear monitors are not looking to hear about the modern traditions of the state holiday. Krauss said that they saw someone riding their bike up the mountain. “What kind of people do you create here? That just seems like a bad idea. We’ll stick to this.”
It’s always a pleasure to hear Alison Krauss sing. Her voice is one of a kind. Krauss’ vocals are so clean and pierce right through every other beautiful sound coming from the stage. To have a voice that is so distinct in an industry where many people sound remarkably similar is a true gift. Early in the set, songs like “The Lucky One”, “Ghost in This House”, and “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You” really stood out and displayed not just how talented this band is, but how captivating Alison Krauss’ voice is. A huge highlight for me was her performance of the Willie Nelson-penned, “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.”
Krauss did a good job of sharing with the audience just how talented and accomplished this band is. Pointing out their numerous individual accolades, songs they’ve written, and other bands they’ve played with. Each time she’d mention a band they performed or recorded with, when the audience would react positively, she’d say, “People know.” And people did seem to know. This was a very well-educated Bluegrass audience.
Next to getting to see Alison Krauss, I think the audience was most excited to get to see Jerry Douglas. The legendary lap steel guitar and dobro player had the opportunity to have the stage to himself. It was clear that this was a welcome moment for everyone in attendance. He said, “You sound mighty tonight! This is so much fun. There’s no reason we couldn’t play good music out here tonight.” He went on to play a medley of instrumental songs. To say I was transfixed is an understatement. I was so locked in on what was happening. I was standing on the patio at the side of the stage, fortunate enough to be just feet from where Douglas was playing. I knew I was watching a legend and a master of his craft.
Union Station welcomed guitarist and vocalist, Russel Moore. He may be new to this band, but he has an extensive and impressive history. He’s a six-time International Bluegrass Music Association Vocalist of the Year. That came as no surprise after hearing him sing, “Dust Bowl Children.”
Touring member, Stuart Duncan, received a loud ovation after being featured on “Orange Blossom Special.” Krauss deemed him to be the “Best in the world.” After hearing him, I’m not going to debate it. Everyone in this band was so impressive. They each had their moments to stand out.
You’d think after hearing an over thirty song set that we’d be ready to go. But I could have listened to Alison Krauss and Union Station play on. Alison returned to the stage with Russell Moore and guitarist Ron Block and performed “When You Say Nothing at All.” This delighted the audience. I was happy to hear it. Back in my day, this would be the song college guys who had recently picked up a guitar would play to impress girls. I remember it becoming a little cringeworthy at one point. Not the song, but the whole attempt to play, sing, and impress with it. Oh, I’m sure it worked a time or two, but yikes. Getting to hear two amazing guitarists and the great Alison Krauss perform is an entirely different story. It was a massive moment in the show, and I loved it.
As Krauss began to sing “Down in the River to Pray,” I could hear the audience so badly wanting to erupt. Who could blame them? But the song is a cappella, and I think their desire to hear the song over celebrating it being performed won out. The performance was perfect, and when it was over, the opportunity to cheer for it was there.
“A Living Prayer” is a beautiful song. I must admit I was caught up in the message to the point of allowing my emotions to rise to the surface. The message delivered with Alison Krauss’ voice can break the hardest shell. The music and the moment touched me. I’m sure I was not the only one. This entire show was everything I hoped for. These are some of the best musicians you’ll ever see. Red Butte Garden was a perfect place to see Alison Krauss and Union Station. I hope to see them there again soon.