ARRIVAL from Sweden

ARRIVAL from Sweden The Music of ABBA

Reviewed By Kevin Rolfe

Photos By Bree Robles

I have many fond summer memories in Utah heading to the Sandy Amphitheater to watch ARRIVAL From Sweden THE MUSIC OF ABBA. ARRIVAL played Sandy for the better part of a decade before the pandemic hit.  The band is actually from ABBA’s native country of Sweden so even when things started to open up,  I’d imagine it took some time to work out touring visas to come back to the states.  Sandy Amphitheater has a pretty full schedule this summer so ARRIVAL needed to look for another home here in Utah.  I can’t think of a better place than the Snow Park Outdoor Theater at Deer Valley Resort in Park City.  If you’ve never been to a concert at Deer Valley you are missing out.  It’s the perfect place to escape the summer heat and listen to some great music. 

Continue reading “ARRIVAL from Sweden”

COIN

COIN w/ Blackstarkids• July 22, 2022• The Great Saltair

Reviewed and Photographed by Tomo Crestani

On Friday, July 22nd, COIN visited Salt Lake City to play a packed show at The Great Saltair. Having gained quite a bit of traction here in Utah, the whole event was pretty exciting from the beginning. Bringing along the Blackstarkids, there was not much room for boredom. 

Continue reading “COIN”

The Lumineers

The Lumineers w/ Gregory Alan Isakov & Daniel Rodrigez• July 20, 2022• Maverik Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

Photo Credit: Alisha Gregson

Two and a half years ago, thousands of local Lumineers fans purchased their concert tickets and were looking forward to seeing the impressive indie folk band perform live. After being postponed for 2 years due to the Covid 19 pandemic, The Lumineers finally had the opportunity to bring their Brightside Tour to Salt Lake City. On July 20th, the band played a fantastic show to a sold-out audience at the Maverick Center. As a fan myself, I felt overwhelmed with excitement as I arrived at the Venue. I had the opportunity to talk with a few other concertgoers, who were eager for the night to start. One couple told me how they had become Lumineers fans after seeing them open for U2 at a concert in 2017. While a couple of young girls mentioned they had been fans since middle school, and couldn’t believe they were finally at the concert. 

Continue reading “The Lumineers”

Michael Franti & Spearhead

Michael Franti & Spearhead w/ The New Respects• July 19, 2022• Red Butte Garden

Reviewed and Photographed by Josilyn Wakkuri Lybbert

The beautiful Red Butte Amphitheater was packed full of concert-goers on July 19th! Michael Franti & Spearhead, along with The New Respects, drew in the excited crowd! It was my first time at Red Butte Garden Amphitheater. I was really impressed with it! The staff was so friendly and helpful. The view was gorgeous, the flowers surrounding the stage were the perfect touch to tie in with the view, and the weather was perfect. Which was definitely the cherry on top! 

Continue reading “Michael Franti & Spearhead”

Motion City Soundtrack

Motion City Soundtrack w/ All Get Out & Neil Rubenstein• July 16, 2022• The Complex

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

Photo Credit: Alisha Gregson

On Saturday, July 16th, pop-punk band Motion City Soundtrack brought their Commit to This Memory 17th anniversary tour to Salt Lake City. The tour had originally been planned as a 15th anniversary but was postponed due to the pandemic. After an extra 2 years of waiting, the band’s most loyal fans gathered at The Complex, excited and eager to see them perform. 

Continue reading “Motion City Soundtrack”

Puscifer

Puscifer• July 7, 2022• Eccles Theater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

To be honest, I’m not quite sure what to say about this concert. The truth is, you really just need to see Puscifer in concert to truly understand that experience. It’s a show unlike anything else I’ve seen. It’s funny, the music sounds great live, but at the same time you’re thinking, “What am I seeing?”. In a good way of course. I had no idea what I was in for, and I will do my best to share my experience.

Continue reading “Puscifer”

Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls

Frank Turner w/ AJJ, The Bronx, & Pet Needs• July 16, 2022• The Depot

Reviewed and Photographed by Josilyn Wakkuri Lybbert

Concert goers flowed into The Depot on Saturday, July 16th, to see Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, along with Pet Needs, The Bronx, and AJJ. People of all ages, from small children and up, came to enjoy the show! 

Continue reading “Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls”

Chase Atlantic

Chase Atlantic w/ Leah Kate & Xavier Mayne• July 12, 2022• The Union

Reviewed and Photographed by Tomo Crestani

Photo Credit: Tomo Crestani

On their “Cold Nights Tour”, Chase Atlantic brought the energy to The Union Events Center this past Tuesday. Drawing a very respectable crowd for not only their set but also the two opening sets as well. Bringing along Xavier Mayne and Leah Kate, Chase Atlantic definitely built up a lot of anticipation for this tour. 

Having never been to The Union Event Center, I went into this show with low expectations. However, I was pleasantly surprised from the get-go. The venue was very nice inside and had a really cool layout. It felt very open compared to other venues I have visited. It also seemed more organized. This venue perfectly fit the three artists that would be playing that night. It fit the large crowd comfortably and gave the concert a really unique feel.

Continue reading “Chase Atlantic”

REO Speedwagon & Styx

REO Speedwagon & Styx w/ Loverboy• July 9, 2022• USANA Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Live & UnZoomed Tour

The “Live & UnZoomed Tour” made its way to Utah on Saturday, July 9.  REO Speedwagon and Styx have been playing co-headlining tours for years.  This time they would be joined by special guest, Loverboy.  I’d imagine this night at USANA Amphitheatre will be a memorable one. First off, it was HOT!  We’re talking triple digits folks.  On top of the extreme heat, there was a massive fire just on the other side of the western mountain range.  The smokey air added a new element to the outdoor concert experience.  Despite the unique conditions, fans showed up in droves to see some of their favorite bands.  Styx and REO Speedwagon are regular visitors to Utah, and every time they come their shows do well.  This night was no exception.  

Continue reading “REO Speedwagon & Styx”

Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor• July 6, 2022• Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Indie singer-songwriter, Regina Spektor played a two-night residency at the Sandy Amphitheater.  I was privileged to attend night two, the Wednesday night sold-out show.  Sandy Amphitheater is facing north to south with trees lining up the west side of the venue.  This is a perfect setup because, despite the warm summer’s eve (I wrote that for the Kenny Rogers fans), the sun was blocked by the trees, and most of the amphitheater was shaded.  I really enjoy walking into a concert venue and seeing the look on people’s faces.  It’s the first indicator of whether this will be a good crowd and a good show.  Sometimes crowds want to be social, be seen, and strangely enough, can make the music secondary.  That was not the case with this crowd. 

Continue reading “Regina Spektor”