Concert Reviews Archives - Utah Concert Review

June 7, 2025June 7, 2025

Peach Pit & Briston Maroney

Peach Pit • Briston Maroney • Bnny • June 2, 2025 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Sam Howard

Sitting in the middle of Sandy, Utah there is a gem for live music to thrive. This place is called Sandy Amphitheatre, and it was quite packed with a crowd for the sold-out Peach Pit show. Though this show happened on a Tuesday night, it did not keep people from taking work off or leaving work early, to camp outside of the venue waiting in line for the show. With an excited crowd and doors opening as early as 5:00 PM, it was time to get the show started.

June 6, 2025June 6, 2025

Ava Maybee

Ava Maybee • Annika Rose • Sabrina Fair • June 2, 2025 • Kilby Court

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

The excited energy flowed through an intimate crowd at Kilby Court on the cool summer night. Ava Maybee, American Idol alum and daughter of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer, Chad Smith, headlined with Annika Rose and Sabrina Fair making the night one to remember.

June 6, 2025June 6, 2025

Ogden Twilight: KHRUANGBIN

KHRUANGBIN • John Carrol Kirby • June 1, 2025 • Ogden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Marlo Matamoros

KHRUANGBIN performed at the opening show of the Ogden Twilight Concert Series on June 1^st. John Carroll Kirby would join the trio and open the show. The Ogden Twilight series is an annual summer music event held in Ogden, Utah at the Ogden Amphitheater. Walking into the amphitheater one of the first things that I noticed were the food trucks and merch booth that were full of lines. I was excited to photograph here because it’s another event center I’ve never been to.

June 3, 2025June 3, 2025

Trampled By Turtles

Trampled By Turtles • May 29, 2025 • Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

I’m only two shows into the 2025 Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series. So far, this concert series has not disappointed. Cheap Trick started things off on a chilly but rockin’ night. Trampled By Turtles showed up on a beautiful evening and delighted their fans with a setlist perfectly crafted for an evening at Red Butte Garden. I think this summer at the garden is going to be another good one!

May 28, 2025May 29, 2025

Cheap Trick

Cheap Trick • May 19, 2025 • Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

It’s hard to believe, but it’s once again that time of year. The Red Butte Outdoor Concert Series has officially begun! Concerts at Red Butte have been a highlight of my Utah summers long before I ever began reviewing concerts. The location is amazing, the lineup is without fail some of the best artists in music. One of my favorite things about heading up to a Red Butte show is that no matter how hot it is in the Salt Lake Valley, you can head up to Red Butte Garden for a concert and it’ll definitely be cooler. In fact, you may just need a sweatshirt and blanket by show’s end.

May 27, 2025May 27, 2025

The War and Treaty

The War and Treaty • Madeline Edwards • May 15, 2025 • The State Room

Reviewed and Photographed by Marlo Matamoros

The War and Treaty performed at a sold-out show at The State Room on Saturday night during their “Plus One Tour.” The War and Treaty is a husband-and-wife duo, Michael and Tanya Trotter. They were nominated for two Grammy Awards last year for Best New Artist and Best American Roots Song. Michael served in the U.S. Army, where he learned to play the piano and began writing songs. Tanya played a role in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit where she sang alongside Lauryn Hill. The two met at a music festival in Maryland and the rest would be history.

May 26, 2025June 1, 2025

Kilby Block Party Day 4

Kilby Block Party Day 4 recap • May 18, 2025 • Utah State Fairpark

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit listed accordingly

Contributions by Sam Howard

It was hard to believe, but we reached day four of Kilby Block Party. We’ve seen so much so far. And yet we were thirsty for more great music. The final day brought together a diverse lineup of artists, including Justice, TV on the Radio, Suki Waterhouse, Real Estate, Orla Gartland, and Poolhouse, delivering an eclectic mix of performances that captivated the audience.

May 24, 2025May 24, 2025

Kilby Block Party Day 3

Kilby Block Party Day 3 recap • May 17, 2025 • Utah State Fairpark

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

With contributions by Alisha Gregson

Another day at Kilby Block Party means another day of a diverse lineup of some of our favorite bands. So far in this festival, we’ve had solid weather. The skies have stayed dry for the most part and temperatures have been moderate to cool. This was the first day of KBP where there was some nervousness about the weather. Despite the concern, people remained in good spirits and all bands were able to take the stage and perform their sets.

May 22, 2025May 22, 2025

Kilby Block Party Day 2

Kilby Block Party Day 2 Recap • May 16, 2025 • Utah State Fairpark

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

After a memorably epic day one at Kilby Block Party, I wondered how the rest of the festival would hold up compared to what I had witnessed. Day one was the lineup I was the most excited about. My anticipation for that date was overwhelming. It was such an incredible experience. The thing I have learned since KBP has been in our lives is this festival does not disappoint.

As I’ve mentioned many times, I love how well-organized this festival is. There are so many things that I’m sure go unnoticed that make this festival as pleasant an experience as it is. Not only in infrastructure and that kind of boring stuff, but how well they put the lineup together. While I knew and looked forward to multiple bands on day one. I was excited to see a few bands I liked while having the opportunity to discover some great bands that I had up to this point been unfamiliar with.

May 20, 2025May 21, 2025

Kilby Block Party Day 1

Kilby Block Party Day 1 Recap • May 15, 2025 • Utah State Fairpark

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Kilby Block Party Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

I remember back in 2019 while attending the first Kilby Block Party, which took place on the street just outside the famed Kilby Court, that this festival had the potential to be a festival that could be comparable to some of the biggest festivals in the country. The inaugural Kilby Block Party was a one-day event in which Death Cab For Cutie, a band that had played Kilby Court early in their career, as the headliner. The rest of the lineup included bands who as it turned out were on their way to international success. Bands like The Backseat Lovers, Ritt Momney, and The National Parks, have all become well-established bands.

I remember being impressed with the attendance, especially for a first-time festival, and I especially recall how well-organized it was. I’ve been to a number of major festivals and some of them were not as organized as the first KBP. My hope was that this festival would grow and become emblematic of what the music scene in Utah is actually like.