Concert Reviews Archives - Utah Concert Review

February 20, 2025February 20, 2025

Foster the People

Foster the People • Good Neighbors • February 11, 2025 • The Union

Reviewed and Photographed by Morgan Newbold

Last week at The Union Event Center, Foster the People played a loooong-awaited headline show on their Paradise State of Mind tour, returning to Salt Lake City after 7 years! I was really stoked to see them for the first time! They’ve been a staple band for me since I was in middle school, and I know many people who attended were probably also seeing them for the first time. They just released their 4th album last summer, ‘Paradise State of Mind’. This one is such a feel-good, psychedelic, and pure Foster the People-sounding record.

February 19, 2025February 19, 2025

JORDANA

Jordana • Rachel Bobbitt • February 14, 2025 • Kilby Court

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

It may have been pouring cold rain outside on February 14, 2025, but Jordana brought the
heat and love to a sold-out Valentine’s Day show at Kilby Court. The cozy Kilby Court was filled with happy couples, excited friend groups, and enthusiastic fans galore.

February 17, 2025February 17, 2025

Benjamin Booker

Benjamin Booker • Kenny Segal • February 11, 2025 • Urban Lounge

Reviewed and Photographed by Sam Howard

The Urban Lounge is a very popular 21+ venue in downtown Salt Lake and has hosted shows that are both wild and intimate at the same time. Being in the heart of Salt Lake City, the Urban Lounge plays a defining role in the local music scene here in Utah and makes an exciting venue for bands and artists coming to play from out of town, like Benjamin Booker.

February 11, 2025February 11, 2025

Lauren Mayberry

Lauren Mayberry • January 31, 2025 • Soundwell SLC

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

I have found that whenever a vocalist in a band decides to go solo, things can go one of two ways. They create something interesting, and enjoyable and I become a fan of their work outside of the band from where I know them. The other is they try too hard to be different from the music we know them from. Or they aren’t able to put an album of songs together without their bandmates that their fans can connect with enough. I can understand the desire to try to make your own music and create an album trying different styles and techniques. It can be a risk, but I can’t blame an artist for wanting to do that. I personally enjoyed Lauren’s debut solo album, Vicious Creature. It was exciting to see that Mayberry announced a show in Salt Lake City. I couldn’t wait to hear these songs live.

February 3, 2025February 3, 2025

Spencer Sanders

Spencer Sanders • The Penny Candies • Sasha Haydn • February 1, 2025 • The Rise

Reviewed and Photographed by Sam Howard

Spencer Sanders live at The Rise in Provo, UT was a night full of folk sounds and storytelling through whimsical melodies. With family, friends, and family in attendance, The Rise made for a close and intimate stage setup. Allowing the artist to interact with the crowd and celebrate their music in a cozy way.

January 31, 2025February 6, 2025

Ramin Karimloo

Ramin Karimloo and The Broadgrass Band • January 24, 2025 • BYU Concert Hall

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Molly McCoy

I find it interesting the way we discover the artists we come to like. Back in the day, we’d hear a song on the radio, buy the album, and fall in love with a band by listening to them over and over. Sometimes, we’ll see a band or singer open a concert for someone we intend to see, and they end up becoming one of our favorites. More often today, we hear a song on TikTok or Instagram and go down the rabbit hole looking for more music than just the 30-second clip we heard. When it comes to becoming a fan of a star of musical theater it can be a little trickier. Most often we’ll hear a cast album and fall in love with a voice. From then on, pay attention to what they’ve done or will end up doing.

January 29, 2025February 4, 2025

Collective Soul

Collective Soul • January 20, 2025 • The Union

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

We’ve had the opportunity to attend Collective Soul in concert multiple times. The takeaway from each concert we’ve been to is authenticity. This is such an authentic band. They genuinely seem to enjoy themselves on stage. Collective Soul seems to really appreciate their audience, and they appear to genuinely care about each other. Those elements make for a great concert experience. This Collective Soul concert at The Union Event Center in Salt Lake City was no exception.

January 28, 2025January 28, 2025

almost monday

almost monday • Adrian Lyles • January 24, 2025 • Soundwell SLC

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

almost monday brought incredible energy to their sold-out show, and the first night of their “Dive” tour, to Soundwell in downtown Salt Lake City. Fans of both bands didn’t disappoint and were so warm and welcoming to both almost monday and Adrian Lyles. The crowd’s energy shook the whole venue, they were definitely excited.

January 27, 2025February 6, 2025

Thee Sacred Souls

Thee Sacred Souls • Astyn Turr • January 22, 2025 • The Union Events Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Paige May

On January 22, 2025, The Union Event Center located in Salt Lake City, Utah hosted the beloved Thee Sacred Souls, a band with an expansive range of timeless music genres such as soul, funk, and R&B, drawing inspiration from the 1960s and 1970s. Their sound is best compared to Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, and The Stylistics with modern touches, therefore collecting widespread admiration, bringing a feel of nostalgia, and creating an atmosphere that resonates across many generations. Prior to joining the group, the talented vocalist Astyn Turr played as a solo act with similar characteristics, but with a hint of pop influences.

January 24, 2025January 24, 2025

MANIA: The ABBA Tribute

MANIA: The ABBA Tribute • January 16, 2025 • The Depot

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

When I think of tribute bands, the first band that comes to mind is The Beatles. But in what has to be a close second at this point is ABBA. Over years, I have seen a major increase in the amount of ABBA tribute bands. It’s clear that Utah is a hot spot for ABBA fans. It seems whether it’s a tribute show or a regional production of the ABBA musical, Mama Mia, fans show up to see the songs of one of their favorite bands performed. The Depot was the perfect location for ABBA fans to turn out on a cold Thursday night to be warmed up by this extremely danceable music. The show was a rare seated event at The Depot, but as I’m sure you can imagine, the seats were not used for long or very often.