admin, Author at Utah Concert Review

July 22, 2019

Norah Jones July 19th, 2019, Sandy Amphitheater

By: Tiffany Mull

Photo By: Kaden Severn @simplybrilliantstudios

Norah Jones gave us the smoky torch songs of the new millennium. Though often understated, her work has the polished precision of a trained musician. It’s no surprise that she has a degree in jazz piano; hers is not a sloppy talent. Her music wafts through Soul, Folk, and even dips into Blues and Country, but it always returns to her roots in Jazz. Three songs in, I could feel the audience’s collective blood pressure lowering. Dreamy lyrics about missed rendezvous and wandering off into the moonlight coupled with seamless vamping melted, then evaporated, my spine. So long as Norah and her crew were playing, there were no cares in the world.

July 22, 2019

Shawn Mendes July 16, 2019, Vivint Arena

By: Kevin Rolfe

Shawn Mendes is as big a pop star as there is right now. It’s virtually impossible to not know who he is. He has the type of fame that gets him featured on everything from Saturday Night Live to TMZ. He’s everywhere! But on July 16th Salt Lake City had Shawn to themselves at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

The arena was packed! I didn’t hear if it was a sellout or not, but if it wasn’t there couldn’t have been many seats left. I walked in just as Mendes took the stage and the audience filled with mostly teen to preteen girls was deafening! The roar subsided (slightly), and I could make out that the first song was “Lost in Japan”. I looked around at the frenzy to get a sense of the crowd and who was there. Next to many of these rabid teenage fans were what seemed to be their parents. I would see a group of about four to five girls and there would be a couple of moms with them. Every so often I’d see a dad in the mix. God bless them.

July 16, 2019

Jenny Lewis July 11, 2019, Deer Valley

By: Kevin Rolfe

Have you ever been to a concert that you really enjoyed and thought, “You know, I really wish I could see this show again really soon!”? But you know that in most cases it’ll be up to a year and most likely longer until that artist returns to your city. It doesn’t happen often, but this year we were fortunate to have Jenny Lewis bring her On The Line Tour through Utah twice in the last two months. Jenny Lewis gave a rousing performance at The Commonwealth Room on May 18 then returned to Utah but this time up in Park City as part of the Deer Valley Concert Series at Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater on July 11. Same tour, same artist, two very different shows.

July 11, 2019

Ocean Alley July 5, 2019, Kilby Court

By: Efrain Cuessy

Nearing the end of a 32 show North American tour, Ocean Alley brought their Australian reggae fusion to the infamous Kilby Court. I was never that into reggae music until I heard of Ocean Alley. Bringing in sweet, relaxing vibes from the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia, Ocean Alley sold out Kilby Court and delivered one of the coolest shows I have ever experienced. From hits such as “Confidence” and “Yellow Mellow”, lead singer Baden Donegal lead the crowd on a journey that had every person feeling positive energy. My journey started off with going to a venue like none other: the one and only, Kilby Court.

July 9, 2019

Chase Atlantic July 5, 2019, The Depot

By: Evelyn Salazar

The amount of energy that Chase Atlantic brought to the stage was INSANE. Friday night, fans lined outside of The Depot, wrapping around the corner as they waited for doors to open. I had heard of Chase Atlantic before, but have never actually heard their music. But with how excited every girl and guy seemed in line, it was obvious they had a strong fan base here in SLC. I honestly had no idea what kind of music they played but was excited to find out. And oh was I surprised and also super into it!

July 8, 2019

Underground Railroad Tour Featuring Zion I & Equipto July 4, 2019, The Cabin

By: Mike Gomez

Underground Hip Hop is an interesting art form and Zion I seems to represent the genre to the fullest. With the ability of the public to pay for individual songs, rather than having to buy an entire album, it is imperative that artists of all genres tour consistently to remain relevant and connect with their fans. Luckily, Oakland, California’s Zion I were already reaching the 10,000 hour mark (Malcolm Gladwell) of touring when album sales began to plummet, so their live show is definitely dialed-in. And the legend lives on…

July 7, 2019

LOVELOUD 2019 USANA Amphitheater

By: Ashley Yates

WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH – JUNE 29: Tegan and Sara perform at LOVELOUD Festival 2019 Powered by AT&T at USANA Amphitheatre on June 29, 2019 in West Valley City, Utah. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for LOVELOUD Festival)

I arrived a bit after 5:30. So, unfortunately, I missed a few performers leading up to Tegan and Sara. Seeing as I’m a member of the LGBTQ community and was raised in a conservative culture I was unprepared for how triggering this festival was for me.

The sound quality at USANA Amphitheater was decent for the performances but absolutely horrific for the host, Kalen Allen. He handled the major glitches with sparkling grace (literally, he was wearing this silver sequin jumpsuit).

WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH – JUNE 29: Kalen Allen hosts LOVELOUD Festival 2019 Powered by AT&T at USANA Amphitheatre on June 29, 2019 in West Valley City, Utah. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for LOVELOUD Festival)

I have been lucky enough to have seen Tegan and Sara live before. I love them and in my eyes, they can do no wrong. I’m bummed that I was behind schedule and missed the first part of their set. They finished their bit with “Closer” (a fantastic indie pop ballad full of soon to be realized sexual tension) and it was maybe a little thrilling hearing so many voices sing the words. Tegan and Sara are HUGE in the queer community and very popular as a mainstream band. Maneuvering through the crowd, singing along with nearly every person I walked by. Music creates a bond and it was something I had been looking forward to meeting with this concert.

July 7, 2019

UCR Interview- Ty Herndon at LOVELOUD

Interviewed By: Evelyn Salazar

Ty Herndon: Hi, how are you?

Evelyn: Hi, good how are you? It’s nice to meet you! My name is Evelyn and I’m interviewing you for Utah Concert Review!

Ty: Hi Miss Evelyn, well that’s great.

Evelyn: How do you feel to be here in Utah, and at LOVELOUD? How did you get here?

July 3, 2019

Michael Franti & Ziggy Marley June 30, 2019, Deer Valley Concert Series

By: Denise Bruhns

The Deer Valley Concert Series has officially begun! Sunday night marked the opening of the seven-show series that will take place throughout the summer. The series which is presented by Deer Valley Resort along with The State Room Presents takes place on the majestic resort at the foot of what in the winter would be a ski slope. If you’ve only been to Deer Valley in the winter you’d never know that once summer hits, this ski slope turns into the beautiful Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. It’s the perfect place to escape the heat of the valley. It can get a little cool up on that hill, but what better way to warm up a brisk mountain evening than with reggae and blues funk? Michael Franti & Spearhead along with Ziggy Marley.

July 2, 2019

UCR Interview-Christian Anthony of Chase Atlantic

Interviewed By: Kevin Rolfe

Chase Atlantic are an Australian band that personally produces, performs, and conjures up dark, rhythmic alt-pop, punctuated by rock and R&B as well. Their stylish, distinctive sound has an undeniable groove and edge that highlights their knack for catchiness and hooks. They have just released their sophomore album, PHASES. It’s sure to hit home with fans of Post Malone, The Neighbourhood, The1975, and The Weeknd.

Chase Atlantic will be headlining The Depot on Friday, July 5. I had the opportunity to interview rhythm guitarist and vocalist, Christian Anthony a few weeks before the new album was released.

Utah Concert Review: How does it feel to be finished making your new album and just waiting for it to be released?