UCR, Author at Utah Concert Review

September 30, 2026October 1, 2026

LØLØ

LØLØ • September 28, 2026 • Metro Music Hall

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

LØLØ in Concert in Salt Lake City at Metro Music Hall. — Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

LØLØ brought her unique combination of pop-punk attitude, sharp humor, and brutally honest songwriting to Metro Music Hall in Salt Lake City. She made a huge impression last year when she opened for Simple Plan in Sandy. I was excited to see her out on her own headlining tour. It’s really great to see the momentum building for LØLØ. As I walked into Metro Music Hall, I could see fans already in great form. They were dancing and even singing to the songs coming through the speakers. I could tell this was going to be a fun night.

September 29, 2026October 20, 2026

Bowling For Soup

Bowling For Soup • Ballyhoo! • September 25, 2026 • The Union Events Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Mike Ferguson

This one was basically a giant dose of nostalgia mixed with one of my favorite bands, and The Union was a great place for it.

I really like The Union for shows like this. It’s big enough that you get the energy of a legit concert, but it still feels a lot more intimate than an arena. You’re close to the stage, the crowd feels packed in around you, and with bands like Ballyhoo! and Bowling For Soup, that kind of setting just works. The whole night had that sweaty, loud, everybody-singing-along kind of concert energy that makes a smaller venue so much fun.

September 28, 2026October 28, 2026

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child • September 23, 2026 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed by Alisha Gregson

Photography by Manuel Harlan courtesy of Broadway at the Eccles

The touring production of the Broadway play, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” brought its magic to the stage at Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City.

I have always been a Harry Potter fan. I read the first book the year it came out, when I was just 9 years old. I would eagerly wait for the release of each of the following books. I have read the series straight through multiple times, even as an adult. I have thrown at least 4 Harry Potter parties; I have a framed quote from Dumbledore hanging in my entryway, and I was Voldemort for Halloween a few years back.

September 27, 2026October 28, 2026

Social Distortion

Social Distortion • Descendents • September 23, 2026 • The Union Events Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

The Union Events Center in Salt Lake City was the place to be for fans of punk rock royalty as Social Distortion brought its Born to Kill World Tour to town, with legendary punk band Descendents opening the night. These bands have spent decades proving that punk rock is more than just a musical style. It is an attitude, a way of life, and a connection between the musicians and the fans who have been with them through the years or have discovered them in more recent times.

September 25, 2026September 29, 2026

Five Finger Death Punch

Five Finger Death Punch • Cody Jinks • Eva Under Fire • September 22, 2026 • Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Sam Howard

Five Finger Death Punch in Concert In Utah — Photo Credit: Sam Howard

We are nearing the end of Utah First Credit Union’s season of concerts and with the last handful of shows, Five Finger Death Punch was a perfect addition to the lineup. Though the weather brought on a little bit of rain and a temporary lightning delay of the show, the fans refused to shy away from getting to see this performance. As the crowd filed back in from seeking shelter from the lightning delay, it was time to prepare for a lineup of music that can only be described as musical whiplash in more ways than one.

September 24, 2026September 28, 2026

Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker • September 17, 2026 • Days of ’47 Arena

Reviewed and Photographed by Mike Ferguson

I had the wonderful opportunity to see Darius Rucker at the Utah State Fair on Thursday, September 17th at the Days of ’47 Arena. Rucker has a loyal fanbase here in Utah. When the announcement was made that he would be playing the State Fair, I imagine people made their plans to get inside the venue where they usually watch the rodeo to see one of their favorite artists.

September 22, 2026September 25, 2026

Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie • Marilyn Manson • The Hu • Orgy • September 14, 2026 • Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Colton Kresser

Rob Zombie in Utah 2026 — Photo Credit: Colton Kresser

Marilyn Manson in Utah 2026 — Photo Credit: Colton Kresser

“Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Supertown”

My first exposure to Rob Zombie was many years ago; I was – and am still very much – into video games as a kid. In 2003, I was gifted a game called “NHL HITZ 2003”. I pulled the wrap off, put the disc into my Nintendo GameCube, and began to play what would become still one of my favorite games. The Major reason being the soundtrack. It was loaded with Powerman 5000, Incubus, Rob Zombie, and other noteworthy metal acts of the time. I quickly found that in the settings you could deselect any songs that you didn’t want on the playlist rotation; I turned off every single song besides “Feel So Numb” by Rob Zombie. It looped again and again during my NHL HITZ gaming sessions.

September 21, 2026September 25, 2026

Foster the People

Foster the People • Goth Babe • September 18, 2026 • Beddy’s Plaza at America First Field

Reviewed and Photographed by Ava Dalton

Foster the People in Utah — Photo Credit: Ava Dalton

Mother Nature had other plans for Friday night in Sandy. Weather pushed back the start of Foster the People’s Good Mourning Sunshine Tour stop, and by the time Goth Babe took the stage, the crowd had spent a good portion of the evening waiting under a temperamental sky, and spirits were running low.

September 17, 2026September 18, 2026

Role Model

Role Model • Samia • September 15, 2026 • Beddy’s Plaza at America First Field

Reviewed and Photographed by Marlo Matamoros

Role Model’s Chuck On Tour stopped by Beddy’s Plaza at America First Field on September 15^th.

It’s been about a year since I attended a concert at Beddy’s Plaza at America First Field. I was excited to be back because I remember the atmosphere being so alive and energetic. Beddy’s Plaza was a perfect location for Role Model’s biggest headline tour to date. When I arrived at America First Field, I immediately noticed the long line at the merchandise tent. The plaza was already packed and full of fans wearing the Chuck On Tour merch. I also noticed a lot of Fans wearing their own decorated apparel with the words “WHAT THE CHUCK”, “LOVE I YOU”, and “CHUCK FEVER”.

September 16, 2026September 17, 2026

greek

greek • September 10, 2026 • Kilby Court

Reviewed and Photographed by Ava Dalton

greek live in Salt Lake City — Photo Credit: Ava Dalton

greek live at Kilby Court, Salt Lake City. — Photo Credit: Ava Dalton

Kilby Court might only hold about 200 people, but amidst the SLC stop on greek’s ongoing North America and Europe tour, it felt like the entire building was overflowing, from inside the venue to the courtyard to the merch booth. This was, without a doubt, one of the most packed shows I’ve ever seen at Kilby Court, and every single person smushed inside was there for one reason. That reason was clear and apparent as soon as the show began. As someone who was unfamiliar with greek, I was beyond pleasantly surprised and impressed by this band and this performance.