The area in Salt Lake City where the Eccles Theater is reminds me of New York City. The buildings are not as big in SLC but the design of the streets change quickly, store type reflects the pattern of the roads, and there is more parking and transportation available. Walking down the streets were cold as the buildings created a wind tunnel but it was all worth it to see the colorful differences in comparison to other venues in SLC.
Chelsea Cutler brought her tour The Beauty is Everywhere through Salt Lake City to The Union Event Center on Saturday, March 9th. If I had to sum up the night in one word, that word would be Incredible. My wife and I had the opportunity to attend this show and both of us were blown away by the energy and spunk the artists brought as well as the energy the crowd had all night. It was an amazing experience that I will not soon forget!
Indie Rock band, Real Estate played at the Urban Lounge in Salt Lake City. They mentioned it was their sixth time playing at the venue. The venue and the band made for a good match. The show was sold out so it was clear that people of Utah were familiar and excited to have the band back in town. This would be my first time seeing the band. I had heard good things, so I was eager to finally get to see Real Estate live.
Ryan Beatty brought his 2024 North American Calico Tour to The Grand at The Complex in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 8th! It was his first time doing a show in Utah, and his excited fans lined up as early and a few hours before the night’s events and filled up the space inside the venue quickly once the doors opened!
When I arrived inside of the venue, there was a palpable sense of anticipation from the fans, yet they maintained a mellow and relaxed vibe. A venue worker jokingly remarked, “I came to take a peek at the rowdy crowd!” and then mentioned that because of the audience’s well-behaved demeanor, he predicted that it would be an easy night for venue staff and security.
Last Thursday night, Waterparks, the dynamic pop-punk trio hailing from Houston, Texas, took the stage at The Union. Transforming the night into an electrifying spectacle of visuals and neon splendor! Fans arrived early and ready dressed in colorful Parx merch. It was a pretty packed crowd and an even more stacked set from the band. Salt Lake was the third stop on their ‘Sneaking Out Of Heaven’ tour. I walked up to the stage to see my friends in the photo pit with me, some really really talented ladies. Everyone seemed overwhelmingly excited to see a new stage design. And I was equally excited to shoot it.
If you’re in search of some dynamic and electrifying female powerhouses in the pop music scene, look no further than Em Beilhold’s current tour with Madelline (“with two L’s”). I caught them both at The Commonwealth Room in SLC on Em Beihold’s first headlining tour! I’ll admit, I didn’t know anything about either of the bands until the night of the show. But I admired the artistry and dedication of both of these beautiful women.
Paper Kites • Bella White • February 27, 2024 • The Depot
Reviewed and Photographed by Nate Bonney
On Feb 27th, the Paper Kites started the second half of their North American tour right here in Salt Lake City. Playing at The Depot. The show was originally at the metro music hall but sold out fast. They upgraded the venue and The Depot also sold out. The Complex, which is a larger venue around the corner, didn’t have the date available so they kept it at The Depot. This was Paper Kites first time in Salt Lake City. Its nice for them to see that it is worth stopping here when they tour.
While I was in line I was joking with everyone who was surprised that they came to Salt Lake City, that I was the one who brought them here. Because I would always tell them on their post to come to Salt Lake City.
Bella White
The opener they invited on tour with them was Bella White. She is a Canadian-American from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Her music style combines elements of bluegrass, country, folk, and Americana. She got her influence from her father who was a semi-professional musician in Virginia.
She started her set off with “Among Other Things.” It is from her 2023 album with the same title. Even without a full band to accompany her she still commanded the stage and the audience.
Throughout her whole set, I was getting Jewel vibes. Not the pop Jewel but the jewel that yodels. Like a mountain woman, she sang her story and the audience could feel it. She was well received. Most of the songs were from her 2023 album the last one was from her 2021 Just Like Leaving album. The lighting of her set was well-matched with her style. The way the light would come in and out almost put the crowd in a trance.
Below is her setlist. Give Bella White a listen and enjoy. Good road trip music.
1. Among Other Things 2. Numbers 3. Flowers on My Bedside 4. The Way I Ought to Go 5. Unreleased ID 6. Just Like Leaving
After Bella White’s set, Paper Kites took the stage. They are promoting their 6th studio album At the Roadhouse. I saw The Paper Kites in LA a few years ago and have all their albums. They played a variety from all of them. This tour was nice because with all the hits they have they didn’t play a bunch of them like the last time I saw them and it makes each one of their concerts unique.
Paper Kites have the awareness of their music not to repeat what they have done in the album before and always try something new. Although they keep the Paper Kites feel, they have more of a roadside bar from out in the middle of nowhere feel to this album. Singer Sam Bentley explained that the idea was to present the idea of the perfect bar that never existed and where people would go to enjoy themself. They had with them The Roadhouse Band which added more depth and a full sound to this album and created more of a concert assemble than a band.
Paper Kites was formed in Melbourne Australia in 2009 by Same Bentley (lead vocal/guitarist) and Christina Lacy (vocal/keyboard). Later joined was Sam Rasmussen (Bass), David Powys (vocals/guitar), and Sam’s brother Josh Bentley (drums).
They started their set with “Between the Houses,” from their 2018 album On the Train Ride Home. It’s a mellow song to get everyone in the mood.
Between their first and second song. Sam mentioned that every time they would post tour info there was a lone person who would always comment on their post “Come to Salt Lake City!” I thought that was funny that they would mention that. So, everyone who was at the show, you’re welcome! I hope you enjoyed them on my behalf haha.
Their next song was “Til The Fames Turn Blue,” from the new album. When that steel guitar kicks in, you can tell that it’s a great song. Better than the album and the album is great. For the first 5 songs they sang they stayed seated then they left for a minute and then came back ready to sing “Tenebaum” from their 1st album States. Sam mentioned that they love seeing couples hugged together and the singles by themself. They mention that they love that their songs are relatable to anyone. They also mentioned that they want to make t-shirts that say “I cried at a Paper Kites concert.” The crowd laughed because it’s true haha.
They all seem all melancholy but when they play songs like “June’s Stolen Car,” you see that they are more than just a band that sings sad love longs. Another song that changed the vibe was “Without Your Love”. On the album, the girl part is sung by Julia Stone. At the Concert it was Christina Lacy. Who did an amazing job and you couldn’t even tell a difference. “Black & Thunder,” is another song that just has a great blues beat and shows the diversity in The Paper Kite’s range of genres.
The Paper Kites set is always enjoyable. Everybody comes to listen and everyone sings their songs but not loud so you can still hear them and not the crowd. There were times where you could hear the crowd but then the next song was just the band and the refrigerator humming at the back of the venue.
Paper Kites did something that I hadn’t ever seen them do. They covered a song by Adrianna Leaker, “Anything.” They finished up their set and then of course performed an encore. Christina joined Sam and sang “By My Side.” On the album, he is accompanied by Rosie Carney. They finished on an upbeat song “Electric Indigo.”
Below is their setlist. Give it a listen and enjoy. Everyone else did. I don’t think anyone was disappointed. If they didn’t play one of their favorite songs then they were able to listen to it on the way home. They of course played their hit that got them recognized “Bloom.” We all look forward to them coming back. I’m sure they will be at a bigger venue. The sad part about that is the intimacy that The Depot offers is great!
1. Between the Houses 2. Till the Flame Turns Blue 3. Hurts So Good 4. Nothing More Than That 5. Marietta 6. Tenenbaum 7. Burn the Night Away 8. Bloom 9. June’s Stolen Car 10. Without Your Love 11. Good Nights Gone 12. Black & Thunder 13. Anything (Adrianne Lenker cover) 14. Paint 15. Darkness at My Door
I am always happy for a reason to go to Los Angeles, especially if it’s for a concert! When Mitch Rowland announced that he was embarking on his first ever headline tour and there wasn’t going to be a show in Utah, I was pleased to see that he, joined by Butch Bastard and Harris Harper, would be stopping at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood!
I’ve seen Mitch perform nine times in the last five years as Harry Styles’ guitarist, but this was the first time that I going to get to see him as a headliner! I was so excited for him and to see him do his thing!
The Urban Lounge is a small venue in Salt Lake City. It could be seen as a bar as the stage is not very high and there is VIP booth seating next to the bar. Outside of the venue, “The Urban Lounge” is burned on a wall-sized wood board, perfect for pictures if desired. I enjoyed the feeling of the venue. It felt like going to a small local bar or a garage of a new and upcoming band to hear their debut songs. The show didn’t feel very well advertised. As a frequent concertgoer, I am fairly up to date on artists coming to the area and where they will be performing. I knew nothing about the show until a week or two before.
