Concert Reviews Archives - Page 4 of 86

March 6, 2025March 6, 2025

Winona Fighter

Winona Fighter • Homestyle Dinner Rolls • March 3, 2025 • Urban Lounge

Reviewed and Photographed by Sam Howard

Being a modern punk rock fan, we are seeing a wave of up-and-coming new bands to fill this genre. Winona Fighter, a punk band based in Nashville, Tennessee, is one of those bands that is making a lot of noise and should be paid attention to. Having opened for The Offspring in 2023 and playing some of the upcoming Warped Tour dates later this year, Winona Fighter has a very well-deserved punk resume built up to take on the entire punk scene. Going on their headlining tour for their newest album, “My Apologies To The Chef,” they made their stop here in Utah, playing at the Urban Lounge in Salt Lake City.

March 6, 2025March 6, 2025

FINNEAS

FINNEAS • The Bad Suns • March 2, 2025 • The Union

Reviewed by Josilyn Wakkury Lybbert

Photographed by Vanessa Holt, courtesy of Live Nation

FINNEAS made a sold-out, highly anticipated stop on his For Cryin’ Out Loud Tour in Salt Lake City on March 2, 2025! He drew in multitudes for his show at The Union Event Center! I’ve battled for parking at concerts before, but never like I did for FINNEAS’ show! While that can pose some obstacles, I’ve found that that demand always indicates that we’re in for an incredible show! And spoiler – were we ever!

March 5, 2025March 5, 2025

Mackenzy Mackay

Mackenzy Mackay • Savanna Leigh • March 1, 2025 • Soundwell

Reviewed and Photographed by Sam Howard

If a show is happening at Soundwell, you can expect it to be a great time. It was no different for the Mackenzy Mackay concert that took place here on March 1, 2025. With the nearly sold-out venue, there were all kinds of fans packed in the building, ranging from parents bringing their kids to groups having a girls’ night out, but the most noticeable profile of the crowd was that it was filled with young couples out for date night. Soundwell was the perfect venue for everyone there, both for the young lovers and the parents bringing their kids.

February 28, 2025March 4, 2025

The Backfires

The Backfires • Mercury • February 26, 2025 • Kilby Court

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

The rock and roll band, The Backfires, and the indie band, Mercury, put on an incredible show at Kilby Court. The band’s energy lit up the whole venue. Both bands were super supportive of each other and were grateful to be able to play the show in SLC and very excited to share their music with the SLC crowd. The crowd might have been on the smaller side; however, they really brought great energy to the show.

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.