Bad Suns • Joe P • October 8, 2025 • The Complex
Reviewed and Photographed by Matisse McMullin
After playing in Salt Lake City on tour with FINNEAS in March, California-based alternative band Bad Suns returned to the city on Wednesday night for a show at the Complex.
Despite a busy night for concerts across Salt Lake, fans still showed up, bringing all the energy they had, eager for a night of fun.
Joe P
Alternative artist Joe Parella, known professionally as Joe P, opened the show with a magnetic presence that instantly had the audience hooked. The New Jersey native’s blend of approachability, vulnerable lyricism, and sonic edge made for an amazing set.
After a few songs, he looked out into the crowd and said, “My name’s Joe. Everyone’s okay, everyone’s good?”
The next part of his featured bittersweet and melancholic “Don’t Want to Love U,” followed by the dramatic, heavier “Shadow in the Sun.” Together, these two songs showcased the emotional and vocal range of Joe’s discography.
Between songs, a crew member ran out to switch Joe’s guitars, “Give it up for John for bringing out the guitars!” Joe said into the mic, before joking that John looked like both the photographer and merch guy. “But it’s just John.” The crowd laughed.
Next was “Color TV,” where the rawness and desperation in Joe’s voice paired beautifully with the hard-hitting drums and grit of the guitar. The band jammed together, stopping suddenly for a dramatic pause before picking back up and crashing back into the song’s ending.
Joe then played “French Blonde,” which opened with a raspier, almost seductive tone. Jangly guitar riffs and steady drums built throughout the song. By the second half, the band was thrashing and flipping their hair, full of chaotic energy that matched Joe’s.
The singer took time to introduce his bandmates next. Each member greeted the audience with quick shoutouts like “SLC how’s everybody doing?” or “What’s good?” Joe egged on chants from the audience for each member, and they were eager to play along with the bit.
Joe’s crowdwork was effortless. He knew exactly how to pull the audience in and keep them waiting. It was clear that he was here for a good time, and the band’s energy was infectious.
He then mentioned his love for Salt Lake City, “Kilby Court is my favorite venue in the world… Thank you, this is for Salt Lake City— this last one.”
Joe began strumming his guitar for a stripped-back, dramatic cover of “You Are My Sunshine,” which gradually transitioned into fan favorite “Off My Mind.” The audience cheered in excitement as the song shifted, jumping and singing along, especially when Joe switched the lyric to “You heard that Salt Lake had the cure.”
As the song reached its bridge, the band slowed into near silence, with drawn-out guitar strums and soft drum beats lingering in the air. Joe sang part of the final verse a cappella with the audience before launching back into the final chorus, fully jamming out to the end.
He shouted his thanks several times into the mic as blue stage lights flickered during the dramatic outro. When he exited, the crowd immediately began chanting “Joe P.” Moments later, he ran back onstage, peeling setlists off the floor and throwing them into the audience.
Bad Suns
After a brief intermission following the opener, bright colors illuminated the Bad Suns logo hanging against the back curtain.
Silhouettes of the three band members appeared, and the crowd went wild. Their effortless swagger and coolness radiated from them the moment they stepped on stage, instantly captivating the audience.
They kicked off the night with catchy and groovy “Slow Karma” from their newly released album. Within minutes, the audience was already jumping, dancing, and singing along.
During nostalgic “Mystery Girl,” fans swayed their arms to the beat, moving in rhythm with the bridge. Frontman Christo Bowman shouted, “Thank you, Utah!” before transitioning straight into “Off She Goes,” and then “Heartbreaker.”
The lights dimmed, a low hum filled the venue, and suddenly the stage exploded into flashing lights as the next track began. Bowman shed his jacket to reveal a green tank top repping the band’s logo. “Come on! Let me hear you sing!” he yelled, and the crowd did exactly that.
He then mentioned the band’s new record Accelerator, adding, “If you don’t know the words, I need to see your bodies moving out there—and if you do, sing along! This one’s called Madeline.”
The dreamy love song had the audience swaying, cheering when Bowman changed the lyrics to “right where I’m supposed to be in Salt Lake City.” The band followed with “Why am I Like This” and “Ready to Take Flight,” Bowman blowing kisses to the crowd in appreciation. “Beautiful you guys, thank you so much!”
Lights flared as the next beat dropped, getting everyone clapping along. Bassist Gavin Bennett joined Bowman at the front, playing together. The crowd roared as they recognized the first chords of “Baby Blue Shades.” The stage lights matched the song title as Bowman worked the front of the stage.
“How’s everyone feeling out there tonight… Can you feel the magic of Wednesday brewing?” Bowman asked, thanking fans for bringing weekend energy to a weekday show. He paused to read some fan signs, laughing at one that said “We love you, don’t go bald.” “We’ll try,” he joked.
“You guys had to make a difficult decision tonight. It was between us and Benson Boone, and you chose Bad Suns. Thank you, I respect you,” he added, earning more cheers.
The band then moved into a “dancier” portion of the set, which included “Salt” and “Just Like Magic” among others. Bowman strutted across the stage, interacting with the crowd and encouraging them to clap along. At one point, drummer Miles Morris tore through an explosive solo outro.
During “Back to Zero,” Bowman removed his tank top and split the crowd in two, climbing off the stage and into the center of the audience. He encouraged everyone to get low and jump on his cue. The entire room was jumping and singing as one. “You guys are on fire tonight!” he said, returning to the stage.
Another highlight of the night was the upbeat “Heaven is a Place in My Head,” when the band seamlessly transitioned into the Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” for a chorus before returning back to their own track.
Afterward, Bowman introduced the band and took a seat at the front of the stage for a more intimate, acoustic rendition of “Violet.”
“Everybody, just for a second, close your eyes with me… feel the energy of everyone around you. This moment will never happen again,” Bowman said softly. Then with a grin, “I feel alive, how about you, Salt Lake City?” in a sing-song voice.
The band closed the night with a string of crowd favorites: “Communicating,” “Cardiac Arrest,” and “Daft Pretty Boys,” leaving the crowd on a euphoric high.