UCR, Author at Utah Concert Review

October 2, 2023

The Band Camino

The Band Camino•Bad Suns•Charlotte Sands•September 30, 2023• UCCU Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Mark Daluz

The Band CAMINO finally made their way to Orem, Utah at the UCCU Center for their Screaming in the Dark tour and boy was it a night that I will never forget. The Band Camino was a band that I was familiar with, having their top hits cycle through my playlists from time to time. But, after what I experienced on that spectacular night I immediately became a permanent fan.

October 1, 2023

Collective Soul

Collective Soul•September 30, 2023•The Union

Reviewed and Photographed by Logan Fang

On September 29th, alternative rock band Collective Soul returned to The Union in SLC for another spectacular performance. It was clear that the Utah audience was enthused to have them back, as the line for admission wrapped around the block well before the concert began. In line, fans buzzed with excitement as they shared memories about the numerous times they had seen Collective Soul live. Despite reaching peak popularity in the 90s, the band clearly has since maintained a loyal fan base here in Utah. Fans sported old merch from past tours and albums, chatting with each other about the first time they saw Collective Soul in Utah. Witnessing the nostalgia that Collective Soul evokes in their fans was a truly heartwarming moment.

October 1, 2023

Everclear

Everclear•The Pink Spiders•September 29, 2023•DeJoria Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Mark Daluz

Everclear, the rock band formed in Portland, Oregon made its way to the DeJoria Center in Kamas to perform for its tour with The Ataris & The Pink Spiders. I know what you’re thinking… Kamas?! Utah’s music scene seems to only be prevalent in the confines of Salt Lake City and the metropolitans nearby. The town you drive by to go to the Uintah’s was the last place I would’ve thought to have a music scene. However, it didn’t disappoint

June 30, 2022

Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind w/ Taking Back Sunday and Hockey Dad• June 25, 2022• Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

A crowd full of 90’s alternative music lovers all gathered together at the Sandy Amphitheater on Saturday, June 25th. Third Eye Blind has always been known to attract a large crowd. I was not surprised that the show was sold out. Many in attendance were eager to reconnect with one of their favorite bands from their past. They hoped to hear those nostalgic favorites including “How’s It Going To Be,” and “Semi-Charmed Life”. There were also those in the crowd who have never stopped playing their music, or following the band’s journey. There were even some young new fans. Regardless if they came to hear the band they fell in love with in the 90s, or if they had recently discovered Third Eye Blind, I don’t think a single person left disappointed.

June 30, 2022

Andrew Bird, Iron & Wine

Andrew Bird• Iron & Wine• June 21, 2022• Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Tiffany Mull

Iron & Wine and Andrew Bird filled Red Butte Garden with earthy folk and swanky strings Tuesday night. Both known for smart, bookish lyrics and singular performance styles, they go well together. Iron & Wine (Sam Beam) opened with “Love Vigilantes” followed by “Jezebel.” Without a band, he improvised some beatboxing during “Lovers’ Revolution.”

June 29, 2022

Barenaked Ladies

Barenaked Ladies w/ Gin Blossoms & Toad the Wet Sprocket• June 20, 2022• Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

I don’t know if Red Butte Garden will ever get more 90s than it did on June 20th. Barenaked Ladies brought their Last Summer on Earth Tour to the Amphitheater but they didn’t come alone. BNL was joined by 90s contemporaries, Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket. It was a lineup of hitmakers from top to bottom. I arrived as Toad the Wet Sprocket took the stage. The venue was already full. It was obvious that Red Butte patrons were excited about this whole show.

June 29, 2022

Schellraiser Festival

Schellraiser Music Festival – McGill, Nevada | June 2-5, 2022

Reviewed by Katie Barber

Photographed By Katie Barber and Evan Barber

Photo Credt: Katie Barber and Eric Barber

Though Nevada’s northeastern region remains one of the West’s best kept secrets, the towns of McGill and nearby Ely pull an ace out of the sleeve with the new Schellraiser Music Festival. The festival’s name is adopted from the neighboring Schell Creek mountain range and imbues its mission to fundraise for a local cause. This year: the Nevada Northern Railway’s work to restore locomotives and expand the historic rail’s footprint.

June 26, 2022

Tenacious D

Tenacious D w/ Puddles Pitty Party• June 17, 2022• Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Alisha Gregson

It was one of the more wild nights I’ve seen at Sandy Amphitheater. The mighty Tenacious D made a tour stop in the typically mild-mannered Salt Lake suburb. The powerhouse fusion of Jack Black and Kyle Gass was almost more than Sandy Amp could handle. I don’t know how often the “D” goes on tour. I don’t know that they come to Utah too often. The vibe inside Sandy Amp was that of great anticipation. It was a different kind of excitement. There was this feeling like “this Is going to be awesome.” But also, “I wonder just how amazingly weird it’s going to get tonight.” And it got pretty weird. But the perfect amount. Tenacious D mixed a cocktail of weird, hilarious, blue, and rock on that stage. This show may have been funny. But Tenacious D came to rock. And so did theIr fans.

June 23, 2022

ZZ Top

ZZ Top• June 15, 2022• Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

ZZ Top has been coming to Utah since the 70s. They used to call The Salt Palace home whenever they would come to Salt Lake City. In recent years, Red Butte Garden Amphitheater is the stopping place for the legendary Blues Rock band. ZZ Top helped bring live music back to Red Butte last summer just weeks following the passing of original bassist, Dusty Hill. Less than a year later, ZZ Top made their return with the same lineup, including new bassist and former guitar tech to Hill, Elwood Francis. The moment the band walked on stage, the generally casual garden attendees, jumped to their feet, ready to rock.

June 21, 2022

Tash Sultana

Tash Sultana• July 11, 2022• Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Seeing Tash Sultana live is more than just a concert. It’s an all-encompassing experience. Sultana is the only one on stage. But you would never know it by the layers upon layers of music that are coming out of the speakers and into the stands. There was a vibrant energy throughout the audience and it was clear that the people there were expecting a fun night. The line for merch was lengthy but shortened just in time for Tash Sultana to take the stage. I like the way Sandy Amphitheater set up the merch booth. The line forms on the hill so people can actually watch the show from a distance as they wait to buy a shirt.