Taylor Swift

UCR On Tour:Taylor Swift • MUNA • Gracie Abrams • July 14, 2023 • Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

It’s difficult to describe the feeling you get when you see an email from Taylor Swift’s team telling you that you’ve been approved to cover her concert in Denver, Colorado.  I’m sure you can imagine from a professional standpoint the feeling I might have, getting to cover the biggest concert in the world.  And while I’m not sure I’d consider myself an official Swiftie, I’m a lover of concerts, and getting to see someone as massive as Taylor Swift, in a show that has been so well documented over social media, as epic, was an unbelievable experience.  

Continue reading “Taylor Swift”

The Sound of Music

Utah Valley University and Sundance Mountain Resort Present The Sound of Music July 22, 2023

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Is there a better setting outside Austria to see The Sound of Music than the Outdoor Amphitheater at Sundance Mountain Resort?  I can’t imagine there is.  The setting was so perfect for the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic.  With tree-lined mountains as its backdrop, there was very little need for elaborate set design.  These hills, if I may, did come alive as the focal setpiece to make this musical visually soar.  The mountain air was crisp and cool.  A welcome escape from the blistering hot summer day down in the valley.  

The partnership of Utah Valley University and Sundance Mountain Resort has been a successful one.  With successful productions like Oklahoma! and Mamma Mia in recent years, it’s no surprise that patrons continue to return to the resort to see quality theater.  And while there are many musicals to choose from, it makes perfect sense that they would bring back another production of The Sound of Music.  The audience called for it, and I couldn’t have been happier to attend the Saturday Evening performance on Jul 22, 2023.  

Continue reading “The Sound of Music”

Old Crow Medicine Show

Old Crow Medicine Show•July 13, 2023•Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Old Crow Medicine Show opened the 2023 Deer Valley Concert Series at the Snow Park Outdoor Concert Series a the Deer Valley Resort in Park City on July 13, 2023.  It was a perfect evening to have the Americana band in Park City.  It was a very hot day in the Salt Lake and Utah valleys.  Park City is always a great place to escape to when it gets too hot. It’s always cooler.  The night air was crisp, but the music on stage was as hot as the day was.  Last year the concert series had a limited run so I was unable to make it to a show last year.  The moment I parked my car and began walking to the venue, I knew as I took in the beautiful scenery that it was so good to be back.

Continue reading “Old Crow Medicine Show”

Disturbed

Disturbed•Breaking Benjamin•Jinjer•July 13, 2023• USANA Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Maralee Neilson

Above 90 degrees out in the sunshine can sure feel like over 100 degrees when it’s hitting you directly. But that didn’t stop thousands of people from coming out to USANA Amphitheatre to see Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin, and Jinjer on a Thursday, the 13th of July. Fans from all over Utah spent the evening in the heat to see this incredible lineup of artists. Some lined up outside the venue from 12pm and some from 10 am even when doors were not till 5 pm. As soon as doors opened right around 5, people rushed into the venue. Going down to get in the pit area and those with lawn seat tickets getting in line to enter the lawn. Disturbed shirts being worn, merch line being long already. The night was just starting. 

Continue reading “Disturbed”

Blues Traveler & Big Head Todd and The Monsters

Blues Traveler•Big Head Todd and The Monsters•July 11, 2023•Red Butte Garden

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

July 11th was a night to remember for Salt Lake City concertgoers. Blues Traveler and Big Head Todd and The Monsters rocked the Red Butte Garden. Fans of both bands were in for a treat. The two acts delivered an unforgettable show that had the crowd on its feet. From the opening notes of Big Head Todd’s set to the final encore of Blues Traveler’s, the evening was a high-energy show.

Continue reading “Blues Traveler & Big Head Todd and The Monsters”

Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa

Snoop Dogg•Wiz Khalifa•Too $hort•Warren G•Berner•July 11, 2023•USANA Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Kaden Severn

Tuesday night hip-hop fans were treated to an absolutely amazing lineup. As fans began to fill USANA, legendary producer DJ Drama, the mastermind behind countless charting songs, started playing some music to get the crowd warmed up. He would return in between the artist’s sets to play during the intermissions. 

Continue reading “Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa”

Slightly Stoopid & Sublime with Rome

Slightly Stoopid•Sublime With Rome• Atmosphere•July 9, 2023 USANA Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Justin Lagman

Summer is officially here and there is a good mix of Reggae, Hip Hop, and Rock for tonight at USANA Amphitheater. The sun was scorching this Sunday evening and everyone had to be strategic in getting shade and staying hydrated. The first thing I noticed was that the venue was on top of keeping every single concertgoer hydrated. It was a beautiful sight to see and it showed the power of people together trying to have a great summer night and enjoy some good live music.

Continue reading “Slightly Stoopid & Sublime with Rome”

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit•Deer Tick•July 8, 2023• Red Butte Garden

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

There are some nights where an evening, and a venue match an artist just perfectly.  Jul 8, 2023 at Red Butte Garden the great Jason Isbell and his incredible band the 400 Unit stopped by Salt Lake City on what was a quintessential Utah summer evening.  Every so often Isbell comes to Utah and plays another venue.  Some of them are venues I typically like.  But when a venue like Red Butte pairs this well, it’s clear that he should never play any other venue when he comes to Utah. 

On this tour Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit would be featuring their recently released album Weathervanes.  So much so that they played eleven of the thirteen songs on the album. They mixed in a number of crowd favorites and hit singles that brought together both audience and artists.  I had been anticipating this concert as one of my “Must See” concerts since it was announced. It did not disappoint.

Continue reading “Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit”

Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy•Bring Me The Horizon•Royal & the Serpent• Daisy Grenade•July 7, 2023• USANA Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

On a warm summer evening, the USANA Amphitheater came alive with an electrifying performance by Fall Out Boy. The concert was part of their “So Much For (Tour) Dust” tour in support of their newly released album So Much For (Star) Dust. Supported by their incredible lineup of opening bands Bring Me The Horizon, Royal & the Serpent, and Daisy Grenade, this concert was a celebration of music and a testament to the band’s enduring legacy.

Continue reading “Fall Out Boy”

Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams• Joan Jett & The Blackhearts• July 7, 2023• Maverik Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

Something I love about summer in Utah is all the outdoor concerts we get to go to.  But every once in a while over the summer season, we get to head back inside for an arena show.  On Friday, July 7 I stepped out of the heat and into the cool air-conditioned Maverik Center where Canadian rocker, Bryan Adams brought his So Happy It Hurts Tour.  I just admit it felt a little odd being at an indoor venue in July.  But when I heard that the heat was sweltering at some of the other concerts going on that night I was happy to be out of the heat.  

Continue reading “Bryan Adams”