UCR, Author at Utah Concert Review

July 31, 2024August 1, 2024

UCR Interview: almost monday

almost monday • July 17, 2024 • Delta Center

Interviewed by Kevin Rolfe

San Diego-based band, almost monday is currently on tour supporting AJR. They recently played two action-packed nights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. I was fortunate enough to watch both of their sets and let me tell you these guys are a fun band to watch live. Opening the night in a big arena can be a large undertaking. But almost monday was up to the talk on both nights. By the end of both sets they had the crowd excited. Not only about what was to come with AJR, but about what they had just seen in almost monday.

I had the opportunity to interview the guys at the Delta Center before their night 2 performance. We talked about some of their experiences playing in Utah and what it’s like. to open an arena show. I really enjoyed chatting with the band and I’m excited for their future. Enjoy!

July 31, 2024July 31, 2024

Nickel Creek and Andrew Bird

Nickel Creek • Andrew Bird • July 10, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

There is something special about seeing a Bluegrass band in an outdoor amphitheater on a summer’s night. Some might even say that this is the only way you should see a Bluegrass or Americana band. I can’t say I disagree. I’ve seen some of these shows indoors and while it is still awesome, I do prefer the outdoor shows. There’s something in the music that calls for a setting sun, a warm temperature, and a cold drink. These were the conditions for Nickel Creek and Andrew Bird at Sandy Amphitheater. The crowd made sure to arrive early so when I walked into Sandy Amp the venue was pretty much completely full already.

July 30, 2024July 30, 2024

Norah Jones

Norah Jones • Hurray For The Riff Raff • July 25, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

We always love it when Norah Jones comes to town. Whenever the announcement of her concert date is made, there seems to be a lot of excitement online followed by a quick sellout no matter what venue she performs. I was excited when I heard she would be playing at the Sandy Amphitheater. This venue has become one of my favorite summertime locations. It seemed like the perfect place to spend a Summer evening listening to one of the greatest vocalists alive. Utah Concert Review had the opportunity to cover Norah Jones at Sandy Amphitheater back in 2019. I unfortunately was unable to attend that night, so this show was highly anticipated by me. I wasn’t going to miss it this time.

July 30, 2024August 1, 2024

The Decemberists

The Decemberists • July 24, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Lily Rutherford

In support of their newest album, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again, The Decemberists embarked on the 36-show A Peaceable Kingdom tour across the United States. Their Utah stop was at the Sandy Amphitheater on July 24. The Sandy Amphitheater was a perfect venue for the Portland-based band, as it embraced their folky sounds with the surrounding trees and mountains. The outdoor venue felt light and airy, supporting the bands playing within it and immersing the audience into the experience, deepened by the forest cut-outs set behind the band on stage and moody lighting.

July 29, 2024July 29, 2024

Lindsey Stirling

Lindsey Stirling • Walk Of The Earth • July 15, 2024 • Maverik Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Michael Ferguson

The Maverik Center in West Valley City was abuzz with excitement on Monday, July 15th as two dynamic acts, Walk Off The Earth and Lindsey Stirling, took to the stage in a memorable concert that showcased a blend of innovative music and heartfelt performance. The evening was a celebration of both unique artistry and emotional depth, leaving the audience thoroughly entertained and profoundly moved.

July 27, 2024July 27, 2024

UCR Interview: Alex Levine of The Gaslight Anthem

Alex Levine of The Gaslight Anthem

The Gaslight Anthem will be playing at The Union Event Center on July 27, 2024. We had the opportunity to speak with bassist, Alex Levine leading up to the show. We discussed the band’s extensive career and reminisced about the last time The Gaslight Anthem played Utah. Where lead vocalist, Brian Fallon lost his voice due to illness. Enjoy!

Interviewed by Kevin Rolfe

July 23, 2024August 1, 2024

Starship featuring Mickey Thomas

Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas • Taylor Dayne • July 12, 2024 • Canyons Village

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Starship featuring Mickey Thomas is one of those shows I didn’t know I’d enjoy as much as I did. That’s not to say I didn’t think I’d like it. Obviously, they’ve had a career spanning decades. They have unforgettable hits. I suppose I thought that it would be nostalgic, but an in-the-moment kind of thing. Not a show that would last in my mind. Well, I think I’ve had these Starship songs stuck in my head for a while since the concert. And then for them to have Taylor Dayne, a hitmaker in her own right joining them. It was a night of fun songs and beautiful views.

July 22, 2024July 22, 2024

SLC Twilight: Watchhouse

Watchhouse • Branson Anderson • July 19, 2024 • Gallivan Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Austin Dayton

This weekend, on July 19th, Americana/Folk Duo Watchhouse made their way into Salt Lake City, Utah to headline the third weekend of the 37th Annual Twilight concert series. The Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based couple, comprised of Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz, found themselves surrounded by high-rise apartments and office buildings as they took the stage at the downtown-based Gallivan Center. They would go on to deliver a soul-filled set of American and folk-based music that was interwoven with the influence of bluegrass, indie, and hints of alt-rock. We’ve had the opportunity to cover Watchhouse multiple times over the years. This performance was right up there with all the rest.

July 18, 2024July 18, 2024

Ben Platt

Ben Platt • July 16, 2024 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Austin Dayton

Singer Song-Writer Ben Platt took the stage in Salt Lake City this week as he performed back-to-back shows on July 16th and 17th. The singer crafted a riveting set of music clearly displaying his Broadway-trained voice. Each song would go on to leave the audience spellbound and in awe of his full range of skills and talents as a vocalist. Though the sold-out audience at the Eccles Theater was anxiously excited to see Ben, the show started with a brief moment of disappointment as he went on to announce that his opener, Brandy Clark, would not be performing due to an unforeseen illness. The letdown was fleeting as Ben shared with the crowd that he would sing some extra songs to make up for her absence. And so, the show went on!

July 18, 2024July 18, 2024

Ogden Twilight: Ben Böhmer

Ben Böhmer • Tinlicker • Alex Cruz • July 5, 2024 • Ogden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Mark Daluz

As I tried to figure out the maze of closed roads to get to the Ogden Amphitheater I finally found a parking lot. I was getting giddy to arrive at my first Ogden Twilight show. Being a regular at SLC’s Twilight series, I really never had the chance to check out the partner series farther north. But on July 5th, the opportunity came to me. Ignoring the blistering 88+ degree day, the Ogden Amphitheater was quite fascinating to me. The surrounding area was covered in leaves and food trucks providing shade and food for the concertgoers. It really was scorching whenever you left the confines of the shaded area so I was under the leaves enjoying a snow cone while I waited for more people to come and the first artist to take the stage.