Last Wednesday, Jungle performed for a sold-out crowd at The Gallivan Center on the latest stop of their Volcano tour. The British band, best known for their dreamy melodies and irresistibly groovy rhythms, delivers a unique sound blending EDM rave-style beats with euphoric guitar melodies reminiscent of contemporary indie. The band’s discography includes influences from various eras, merging BeeGees disco-funk sensibilities with a variety of nouveau pop elements.
idobi Radio Summer School Tour • Magnolia Park • Stand Atlantic • The Home Team • Scene Queen • Honey Revenge • Letdown. • August 7, 2024 • The Complex
Reviewed and Photographed by Josilyn Wakkuri Lybbert
The Idobi Radio Summer School Tour made a stop at The Complex in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, August 7, as part of its first-ever run across the country. Created by Eric Tobin of Hopeless Records, Michael Kaminsky of KMGMT, and Kevin Lyman, the mastermind behind the Warped Tour, this new tour was designed to help introduce up-and-coming artists to audiences nationwide! The tour featured six bands in the punk rock/pop genre including Letdown, Honey Revenge, Scene Queen, Stand Atlantic, The Home Team, and Magnolia Park.
On the evening of July 31st, the traffic at Park City was worse than normal but that didn’t come without reason. Michael Franti & Spearhead were playing at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater at Deer Valley and the town was eager to see him. As a Park City local, DV concerts are always so special as the setting is stunning and the once-ski slope turns into a great gathering place for shows. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit just a couple of weeks ago with The Dead South and Gregory Alan Isakov appearing in the following weeks. I love how Park City (renowned for world-class skiing) is a part of Utah’s music scene.
Once I could find parking, I made my way into the venue. Not shockingly, I was able to point out a couple of people I knew within the lines and catch up with many of them during the wait. Unfortunately, The line was so long that the opener was already nearing its end when I got through.
Feeling a little disappointed in myself for not anticipating traffic I knew was there, I brushed it off to make the most of the opener. When I made my way to the VIP area, everyone had their eyes locked in, it seemed that making my way past people wouldn’t be an issue in breaking that focus. Citizen Cope is mainly focused on the Reggae & Alternative Indie scenes. The music was funky and they had so much joy on stage. Their sets were a great way to ease into the night.
As the time drew closer for Michael to take the stage, The venue was pretty much filled to the brim with people. During this time, a countdown was starting at 10. As the number closed in on zero, you could hear the excitement and screams from everyone at Deer Valley. A video played after the countdown of Michael reminds us to remember and focus on the good things in life. Right as the video ended, his band started to make their way to the stage with Michael coming out last.
They immediately played “Meet Me When the Sun Goes Down, ” setting the tone for the rest of the night. The high-energy song was enough to get people still sitting on their blankets to get up and start waving their hands in the air. It was also too much for Michael as halfway through the song, he sprinted into the crowd and started singing alongside the members of the audience.
Michael was consistently interacting with the crowd, and the people loved it. It was rare to listen to a song that didn’t have Michael saying “Go say Hi to someone new” or “Dosey-doe with the person next to you”. Every song had sparks of positivity through words and the pure happiness that he was showing. Michael was very animated and moved all over the stage. He interacted with his fellow bandmates often as well. Michael brought many people up on the stage with him. Including one girl who got to bring her whole family up to join in the singing and got everyone over the age of 80 to join the stage with him as well. I admired that he made sure everyone introduced themselves and took a major interest in the people who joined him.
Don’t get me wrong, I love how positive Michael was the entire show but I personally think that got in the way of the music. When talking to other members of the crowd, some also shared this sentiment. He tried to push out the message of positivity every chance he got which made the show feel repetitive. One guy even said “We didn’t really come for the music but more so Michael’s charisma and being amazing at giving others energy. He does a great job at making everyone feel like they were part of a community celebration”. I will give him that, his charisma was truly palpable throughout the performance. He has a unique ability to connect to his audience on a personal level effortlessly.
As I left the Snow Park Amphitheater, I started to think about Michael’s impact on the people he sang to today. In a world with so many sad and horrible things happening. He served as a reminder to all be present, to care and love others close to you. Michael delivered a performance that was both entertaining and meaningful. For those who needed it the most, I know it was an unforgettable experience.
It was an epic scene out at Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre. It wasn’t just a sold-out crowd. That would be awesome on its own. But there was a buzz in the air I had not felt in some time. There had been an anticipation for the show the moment it was announced. I don’t remember a show being talked about quite so much. If I wore my I Was/ I Am Tour shirt out of the house, someone for sure would compliment me and ask me if I was going to the show. It was so exciting to walk into Utah First Amp and see all the excitement.
Earlier this month, Ogden Twilight welcomed world-famous DJ Diplo to a nearly sold-out Ogden Amphitheater! This was a highly anticipated show for ravers and dance music lovers. The EDM scene in Utah has always been very prominent, and what better way to enjoy the summer packed full of electronic music, than a night with one biggest DJs in the world! On a hot July day, the amphitheater filled up with fans ready to beat the heat, all while dressed in their best rave attire!
Last Wednesday, Ken Carson stopped by Salt Lake City on his latest tour, A Great Chaos, to perform for a sold-out crowd of young rap enthusiasts. The 24-year old artist has emerged as one of the biggest names in a new era of rap-rock, alongside fellow contemporaries Playboi Carti, Destroy Lonely, and Homxide Gang. Ken pioneers a fast-paced brand of “underground” rap favoring unorthodox beats, electronic production, and discordant vocals. During COVID, Ken’s music gained traction among niche online rap cliques, thanks to its rebellious spirit and boundary-pushing sound. Now, his dedicated following has expanded, but his music still maintains its enduring appeal to rebellious youth. As expected, Ken’s performance attracted swarms of Utah teens to The Union Wednesday night.
The rash guard-clad Aquabats returned to Salt Lake City on their newest tour celebrating the band’s 30th anniversary of fighting crime. Over the decades, The Aquabats have become some of Ska Rock’s biggest icons, known for their distinctive skin-tight rash guards, board shorts, and penchant for slaying inflatable monsters. The heroes in blue have not only made their mark on the music scene during their tenure, but have also featured in shows like Yo Gabba Gabba, and at one point even hosted their own family-friendly program for a short stint.
After a lengthy touring hiatus, The Aquabats are back on the road promoting their latest album Finally! joined by Left Alone and The Agrolites. Last Tuesday, fans of all ages flocked to The Complex in their signature Aquabat attire for a chance to hear the bands perform. The night was a testament to The Aquabats’ enduring appeal across generations and their never-faltering superhero-turned-ska-punk charm.
The first act I was able to catch was The Aggrolites. Emerging in the early 2000s, The Aggrolites are known for their unique “Dirty Reggae” sound, a fusion of classical reggae with ska-punk and soul sensibilities. From the moment the band of five stepped onto stage, they exuded a contagious energy that matched the upbeat feel of their songs. Opening tracks like “Pop the Trunk” and “Funky Fire” featured the laid-back reggae you’d expect of Bob Marley with a raw edge of traditional punk. Some songs like “Time To Get Tough” seemed to veer more towards rock, while others like “Mr. Misery” were light-hearted sing-alongs that called for audience participation.
Early in their career, The Aggrolites appeared on Yo Gabba Gabba where they first performed the classic favorite “Banana.” The crowd (including myself) was enthused to see that the beloved song made its way into the set. Costumed stage crew and members of The Aquabats pranced out of the wings wearing banana suits to accompany The Aggrolites for the song. Appropriately, members then threw inflatable bananas into the crowd which bounced across the venue for the remainder of the set.
Shortly after the stage crew cleared out frontman Jesse Wagner took a moment to thank the crowd for their support throughout the years. He talked about how Salt Lake City was always one of their favorite destinations on tour. Wagner recalled how Utah had consistently brought the loudest and most enthusiastic crowds, and the audience that night was no exception.
To wrap up their set, The Aggrolites finished with one of their biggest tracks, “Dirty Reggae.” Fittingly, the song is a tribute to the band’s unique ska punk and reggae identity. At the end of their performance, some of their front-row fans got a chance to score some tour merch as band members handed copies of the setlist and drumsticks to the audience. The Aggrolites seemed to care a lot about their fans and maintaining a lightheartedness on stage. It’s no surprise that their performance was well-received by both the families and rock enthusiasts in attendance.
Following a short wait, The Aquabats trotted onto the stage, proudly forming the band’s iconic bat symbol over each of their heads. Their set kicked off with fan favorites like “Cat with Two Heads!” and “My Skateboard!” from their 1997 album. The performance was about as chaotic as you might expect from a band dressed head to toe in spandex apparel.
Each member of the ska rock ensemble was decked out in superhero regalia, sporting hefty belts across their waist emblazoned with the Aquabats logo. Frontman and lead singer Christian Jacobs, better known by his hero alias The MC Bat Commander, led the performance. Accompanied by solos from other band members like Ricky Fitness and Eaglebones Falconhawk. On each side of the stage, LED screens played a bizarre array of visuals, featuring everything from clips of Shrek to graphics of Cabbage Patch dolls. These eclectic elements combined with the band’s over-the-top showmanship made the live listening experience all the more surreal.
The crowd seemed to be swept away by the performance too as The Aquabats threw inflatable sharks and floaties into the audience. The show felt like an immersive comic book turned dance-party adventure, complete with impromptu skirmishes and goofy antics that had families cheering along.
The Aquabats moved through some of their bigger hits like “Pizza Day!” and “Red Sweater!” while young fans got their first taste of the concert experience crowd surfing on blowup inflatables. Midway through the set, the band instructed audience members to make a circle by raising their arms overhead in a ritual they perform each show called “The Circle of Love.” Fans young and old all formed the circle in a wholesome tribute to The Aquabats’ song “Lovers Loving Love.”
After all these years, The Aquabats haven’t lost their undeniable charisma. Even though their performance may be as hokey as it is semi-coherent at times, The Aquabats have found a way to make their show a welcoming one for everybody, including the most hardcore of rock fans. I look forward to seeing how The Aquabats continue to grow their ever-loyal fanbase.
All hands were in the air this week as the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheater welcomed British rock band Bush back to the Utah stage for the “Loaded: The Greatest Hits” Tour. Celebrating 30 years this summer, the four-man band delivered an intimate rock experience that left all in attendance overcome with pure rockin’ happiness. As just the fourth stop on the tour and playing to thousands of fans, hit after hit, it became abundantly clear that Bush has built an enduring legacy of rock and overall musicianship.
AJR took the stage at the DELTA Center on July 16-17 in Salt Lake City for two unforgettable nights, delivering a concert experience that fans will cherish for a long time. Growing up through high school, AJR’s music resonated with me in ways I never expected. Maybe it was the upbeat songs that just made you bop your head or maybe it was the Broadway-like sound they brought to all their songs. Whatever it is their songs delve into the realities of life, and I found a deep connection with their lyrics and sound.
There is something special about seeing a Bluegrass band in an outdoor amphitheater on a summer’s night. Some might even say that this is the only way you should see a Bluegrass or Americana band. I can’t say I disagree. I’ve seen some of these shows indoors and while it is still awesome, I do prefer the outdoor shows. There’s something in the music that calls for a setting sun, a warm temperature, and a cold drink. These were the conditions for Nickel Creek and Andrew Bird at Sandy Amphitheater. The crowd made sure to arrive early so when I walked into Sandy Amp the venue was pretty much completely full already.
