Concert Reviews Archives - Page 67 of 80

July 7, 2019

LOVELOUD 2019 USANA Amphitheater

By: Ashley Yates

WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH – JUNE 29: Tegan and Sara perform at LOVELOUD Festival 2019 Powered by AT&T at USANA Amphitheatre on June 29, 2019 in West Valley City, Utah. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for LOVELOUD Festival)

I arrived a bit after 5:30. So, unfortunately, I missed a few performers leading up to Tegan and Sara. Seeing as I’m a member of the LGBTQ community and was raised in a conservative culture I was unprepared for how triggering this festival was for me.

The sound quality at USANA Amphitheater was decent for the performances but absolutely horrific for the host, Kalen Allen. He handled the major glitches with sparkling grace (literally, he was wearing this silver sequin jumpsuit).

WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH – JUNE 29: Kalen Allen hosts LOVELOUD Festival 2019 Powered by AT&T at USANA Amphitheatre on June 29, 2019 in West Valley City, Utah. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for LOVELOUD Festival)

I have been lucky enough to have seen Tegan and Sara live before. I love them and in my eyes, they can do no wrong. I’m bummed that I was behind schedule and missed the first part of their set. They finished their bit with “Closer” (a fantastic indie pop ballad full of soon to be realized sexual tension) and it was maybe a little thrilling hearing so many voices sing the words. Tegan and Sara are HUGE in the queer community and very popular as a mainstream band. Maneuvering through the crowd, singing along with nearly every person I walked by. Music creates a bond and it was something I had been looking forward to meeting with this concert.

July 3, 2019

Michael Franti & Ziggy Marley June 30, 2019, Deer Valley Concert Series

By: Denise Bruhns

The Deer Valley Concert Series has officially begun! Sunday night marked the opening of the seven-show series that will take place throughout the summer. The series which is presented by Deer Valley Resort along with The State Room Presents takes place on the majestic resort at the foot of what in the winter would be a ski slope. If you’ve only been to Deer Valley in the winter you’d never know that once summer hits, this ski slope turns into the beautiful Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. It’s the perfect place to escape the heat of the valley. It can get a little cool up on that hill, but what better way to warm up a brisk mountain evening than with reggae and blues funk? Michael Franti & Spearhead along with Ziggy Marley.

July 2, 2019

Weathers June 30, 2019, Kilby Court

By: Evelyn Salazar

Have you ever seen someone rocking out while using a crutch? Well, Sunday night everyone at Kilby Court did. The popular, downtown, urban venue was the chilliest spot you could be on a Sunday night. Everyone lounged around outside the venue, chatting it up and waiting for Weathers to come on! Closer to show time, the venue filled up with eager fans, lots who were rocking their Weathers merch. Once the boys came out on stage the screams did not stop! I don’t think I’ve ever heard louder screaming from a crowd at Kilby Court than I did that night. Lead singer, Cameron Boyer, hopped on stage up to the mic, rocking a crutch on his left arm. The lead singer had hurt his ankle but that did not stop him from getting on that stage and rocking out, and rocking out hard!

July 1, 2019

The Struts June 29, 2019, The Depot

By: Kevin Rolfe

So I saw The Struts last night. I could easily save us some time and just write, “WOW!” and be done with my review. There is just so much to say about this show so I’ll continue writing. But, WOW you guys, Wow. The Struts played to a fired up sold-out crowd at The Depot on Saturday night. This was just the third time The Struts have played Utah. After seeing this show I instantly regretted not having seen them the other two times.

June 28, 2019

RAIN-A Tribute to The Beatles June 22, 2019, Eccles Theater

By: Matt Wolf

If you were to ask a group of people, “What band/singer do you wish you could have seen live in concert?” who would they say? I’d imagine Elvis is one most people would mention. I would also think that Freddie Mercury with Queen would be another. For me, I would have loved to have seen Buddy Holly or perhaps Whitney Houston. Speaking of Buddy, I’m excited for the chance to “see him” and Roy Orbison in lifelike hologram form at the “Rock ‘N’ Roll Dream Tour” this October at Eccles Theater. But of all the bands and singers and musicians around I would have to think if you asked someone who they wish they could see in concert it would be The Beatles. Even when they were together and all the band members were alive they didn’t play live nearly as much as people would have liked. Unfortunately, John Lennon and George Harrison have passed. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr still tour on their own, but what would it be like to have seen The Beatles in concert? Well, that’s where RAIN comes in. They put on a show that gives you as close a look as you’re ever going to get.

June 27, 2019

All Hail the Silence June 25, 2019, Red Butte Garden

By Kevin Rolfe

Being the opening band in a concert can be a pretty different experience. Being the opening act at Red Butte Garden can be a really different experience. Red Butte Garden is a beautiful venue. But it’s different. Many of the tickets for their concerts are sold in a season ticket package. So a lot of the audience just goes to everything on the schedule whether they like the artist or not. These are generally the people who talk the entire evening then leave the show halfway through the headliners set. You’re also allowed to bring food and drinks with you so many people will pack a cooler and wine and dine while the opener is on stage. And as enjoyable as that is, I always feel for the band on stage who is performing and trying to get their music out there while most likely feeling ignored.

June 26, 2019

Empire of the Sun June 22, 2019, Salt City Sounds Gallivan Center

By: Efrain Cuessy

Remember that one song that you always heard in the Honda Civic commercial? The dynamic duo of Empire Of The Sun, known for their hit single “Walking On A Dream”, took over the Gallivan Plaza for their third show in the Toyota Salt City Sounds series. The atmosphere they brought was different than any other performance I have ever seen. Lead singer,Luke Steele,brought his Australian energy on stage to create a show like none other. Seeing their art from their unique album cover come to life put the cherry on top of the whole show. Empire Of The Sun brought the audience into an environment like none other, (and I mean it when I say like none other!) From the opening acts like FORD. and Whethan, to an encore performance and guitar being thrown across stage, Salt City Sounds shows us that they can truly create a festival-like atmosphere in a smaller venue.

June 25, 2019

Jim James + The Claypool Lennon Delirium June 21, 2019, Eccles Theater

By: Blythe Penn

Last time I went to the Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City, I was dressed for a gala. That is the kind of event you might expect at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater. That’s why I was surprised to find out Jim James and the Claypool Lennon Delirium were kicking off their summer tour there.

When I arrived at the venue on June 21st, the setting summer sun was beating down on the polished six-story grand lobby through the glass window front.

June 24, 2019

Rhett & Link June 22, 2019, Maverik Center

By: Evelyn Salazar

Singing, comedy, and vanilla-wafer top hats, what more could you possibly want? That’s what Rhett and Link brought to the stage at The Maverik Center this last Saturday. The best friend, comedy duo hit the road for their first live concert tour, Salt Lake City, being only their second stop. If you don’t know who Rhett and Link are, or what Good Mythical Morning is then you are missing out on some top notch YouTube content. Rhett and Link are the stars of their YouTube show, Good Mythical Morning (GMM), with over 15 million subscribers who watch their videos religiously, as they upload nearly everyday. I love watching GMM! You never know what these two goofballs are going to do. From watching them eat strange and sometimes questionable food to watching them test women’s clothes, or make a human pizza, their videos are bound to make you laugh! I was super excited to see them live again! I traveled to Seattle in 2017 for their book tour. This time though, they were live in concert! They hadn’t been to Salt Lake in a few years, so fans, old and new, were super eager to see their favorites in person and not just on a small screen.

June 20, 2019

Patty Griffin June 19, 2019, Egyptian Theater Park City

By: Morgan Jones

The thing about Patty Griffin is that her voice isn’t perfect. I would go as far as to say it is an acquired taste, a voice that, even when you’re a fan of some of her songs, has to grow on you over the course of an evening. During her opening number at Park City’s Egyptian Theatre, that was the thing that struck me. I’ve always found her voice to be unique but it was even more unique live and honestly took a little getting used to and I think the biggest thing is you have to realize that Griffin is who she is, she is confident and makes no apologies and that may be the thing that makes her voice so inviting. There are other artists you go see and you’re disappointed when they hit a sour note but it actually seems that imperfection is one thing that makes Patty Griffin endearing.