Salt Lake City was packed full of events this past weekend as the city celebrated the Pride Festival and the beginning of pride month! I was so glad to have a friend suggest some parking to me since I had never been to this venue before. Fortunately, I was able to park on the street by some houses and walk about five minutes to Urban Lounge. Having never listened to either artist before, this entire show was a new experience for me from start to finish.
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY TO CONCLUDE ITS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR IN SALT LAKE CITY!
“WE FINALLY HAVE A TERRIFIC SHOW FOR EVERYONE. GO SEE CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY – I GUARANTEE YOU WILL HAVE A BALL!” – NPR
(Salt Lake City, UT) (June 8, 2022) – Zions Bank Broadway at the Eccles is thrilled to conclude the North American tour of Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY in Salt Lake City’s Eccles Theater from June 14 – 19, 2022.
Tickets available at Broadway-at-the-Eccles.com, ArtTix.org, by calling 801-355-ARTS (2787) and in-person at the Eccles Theater box office, M-F 10am-6pm; Sat. 10am-2pm and Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, M-F 10am-2pm.
Lit will be opening the Daybreak Summer Concert Series on SoDa Row on Friday, June 10th. Utah Concert Review had the opportunity to chat with Lit bassist and backing vocalist, Kevin Baldes. We discuss Lit’s forthcoming album, Smells Like Gold, and a variety of other topics. Enjoy!
Interviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photo Credit: Jeff Mozey
UCR So, first of all, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time. I’d like to talk to you a little bit about your new upcoming album. I’ve heard a few songs, the released songs, and it sounds like I don’t want to say “classic Lit”, but it has your sound, which I think your fans are going to be very excited about.
Kevin Baldes No, I take that as a compliment. To be honest with you, next to APlace in the Sun, it’s probably my favorite album. And I actually said something the other day to somebody that I would let it go toe to toe with A Place in the Sun. And I like it that much. And I’m the guy in the band that’s pushing to kick out a lot of the old songs in our set. Let’s just play a bunch of new stuff, which I know, like concert-goers and fans don’t really want that. But, I like it that much is what I’m getting at. But the band won’t let me throw nine new songs into the set.
It didn’t take long for Australian pop musician Dean Lewis to sell out every ticket for his Salt Lake City stop on his Sad Boi Tour. When I arrived at The Depot on May 30th, I was not at all surprised to see a line trailing down the street and around the corner. His fan base consisted of mostly young girls in their teens and twenties. They were excited for the chance to watch him perform.
I walked into the venue and made my way to the photo pit. Once I got in the pit I had the opportunity to talk to a few of the fans in the front row. I noticed most of the fans in the front were all holding identical Dean Lewis totes bags. They told me they had purchased VIP tickets. Those totes were just one of the many perks that came with them. Inside the bags, the fans received a poster, a guitar pick, and a couple of other items.
When I arrived at Kilby Court on Thursday, I noticed a mass of people waiting to get in line into the venue. Vaccine cards and negative covid tests were being checked for admittance. The line was long but it moved steadily. The lineup for the night would be full of some great local artists. The show started off with the local band the Button Ups. They were followed by goodfellas. And the headliner of the evening would be IMAG¡NARY FRIENDZ. We have been trying to cover one of their shows for a while. For one reason or another, it hadn’t worked out. But it finally happened and we were excited to finally see these guys.
The Old 97’s will be headlining Schellraiser Festival in McGill, Nevada on June 3. The festival runs from June 2-5. We had the opportunity to chat with The Old 97’s bassist, vocalist, and acoustic guitarist, Murry Hammond. We talk about the festival, his favorite concert, and how The Old 97’s have stayed together all these years. Enjoy!
Nothing, Nowhere’s spring tour is completely stacked with a crazy lineup of amazingly talented artists. We were definitely in for a long night at The Complex. But it was going to be well worth it.
KALEO• May 18, 2022• Red Butte Garden Amphitheater
Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe
May 18th was the opening night of the Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series. KALEO was the band to do the honors of opening the acclaimed series. KALEO hails from Iceland, but their music screams American Delta Blues. They did not start this series off with a whimper. If the rest of the upcoming concerts are anything like this one, we’re in for an excellent summer at Red Butte.
In a way, it almost felt like the first day of school. Or maybe the first day of summer camp. There was excitement walking through the gates, into a familiar place I hadn’t been in a while. There were the same people at Will Call, the same security guards, the same people handling press, and many of the same patrons that attend the concert series year after year. It was like catching up with old friends who I hadn’t seen “over the summer” or “throughout the school year”. Many hugs were exchanged and conversations were had about what we’d been up to. It was so fun to see everyone again.
On May 25th, Tucker Pillsbury also known as Role Model made an appearance at The Depot in Salt Lake City. It was an interesting show because although I knew a few of Role Model’s songs, I really wasn’t sure how many other people knew him. But upon arrival, it was clear that many knew who he was. The line wrapped around the neighboring buildings as the security told me there were already 950 people inside. It was the longest line I had seen in a while. There was a very diverse crowd, which was surprising to me. I expected mostly female attendees, however, I was very wrong. It was fun to see a good split for an artist that might typically draw a female crowd.
