Fitz and the Tantrums • Ax and the Hachetmen • July 28, 2025 • Sandy Amphitheater
Reviewed and Photographed by Matisse McMullin
With over 16 years of music-making, six studio albums, and seven major tours under their belt, iconic indie-pop band Fitz and the Tantrums took the stage with high energy from the very start.
Monday night’s crowd spanned a wide range of ages, a testament to how Fitz and the Tantrums’ music resonates across generations and serves as a soundtrack to many lives, regardless of age or background.
Ax and the Hachetmen
Chicago-based Ax and the Hachetmen opened the concert, and many in the crowd had been eagerly awaiting their return to Utah. The band seemed to share that enthusiasm, especially given their song named after the state, which is a clear crowd favorite here.
They’ve played Kilby Court twice in recent years, selling out both shows to packed audiences, and are now on tour with Fitz and the Tantrums for 11 dates.
Their set included some of their classic hits like “Sunscreen,” “Stay// Honestly,” and “Goofy,” whose title perfectly encapsulates the boyish, chaotic energy they bring to the stage.
“This next song is an ode to this state… It’s a beautiful place. Anyways, cheers you guys,” frontman Axel Ellis said, introducing their track “Utah.”
People swayed and grooved along to the song. As the horns and drums built up during the bridge, the band jammed together into the thrashy outro. “Thanks for having such an awesome state,” Ellis added afterwards.
Ax and the Hachetmen also performed several songs from their new EP, including “7 x 9,” during which the audience hooted and clapped along to the catchy rhythm and cheeky lyrics, “Blurry Lights,” a track originally featuring Albert Hammond Jr. of the Strokes, and an unreleased track, “Lucy.”
Axel thanked everyone for coming out and admired the venue’s amazing views, “Have yourself an amazing Monday night.”
They closed their set with the upbeat and silly “Where tf Did I Park My Car,” jumping and goofing off with one another on stage. The song ended with Axel playing guitar while lying on his back, kicking his feet in the air.
The band stuck around briefly after the set, taking photos with fans and handing out setlists at the edge of the stage.
Fitz and the Tantrums
As the sun began to set and the air began to cool, Fitz and the Tantrums took the stage and kicked off the night with “OCD,” dancing and singing with authentic charisma.
The audience, filled with both young fans and longtime listeners, was on its feet instantly, cheering and watching frontman Michael Fitzpatrick (Fitz) in awe.
They followed with “OK OK OK” and “Oh Maria” from their latest album, and followed up with the energetic and feel-good anthem “123456,” during which the crowd swayed their arms in sync with Fitz and Noelle Scaggs, the band’s powerhouse co-vocalist.
Between songs, Fitz shared a playful moment with a young fan in the front row who looked less than impressed. He smiled and said that he had no doubt that they could make her smile by the end of the night. The crowd laughed in response to the lighthearted exchange..
“Good Intentions” kept the energy high with Fitz leading a fun call-and-response that the audience eagerly joined in on.
Then, slowing things down for a moment, Fitz dedicated the next track to “everyone who’s been here since the very, very beginning.” The band performed “Moneygrabber”, a fan-favorite from their 2010 debut album.
One of the most memorable moments of the night came with “Out of My League.” Originally released in 2013, the song has lost none of its magic. Its vibrant rhythm and nostalgic charm filled the amphitheater as fans sang along, dancing with friends and family under the open sky.
At one point during the song, Fitz asked everyone to make a heart with their hands and hold it high. In an instant, hundreds of hand hearts could be seen across the amphitheater—symbolic of the mutual appreciation between the band and their fans, united by a shared love for live music.
As beachballs bounced above the crowd and kids passed them eagerly across the rows, the band kept the joyful spirit up with a mix of old favorites and new tracks from their latest release. The night continued with a mix of Fitz’s oldies, along with new work.
Another crowd favorite was “Shine.” Once again, the audience was asked to participate and hold their phone flashlights in the sky to be the stars.
Later, when “The Walker” kicked in, the crowd cheered loudly and jumped up and down from the very first notes. The song’s nostalgic energy brought the main set to a close as the band exited the stage.
After several minutes of encouragement from the crowd, Fitz and the Tantrums re-entered the stage and graced their fans with an encore of a few more songs.
“Sandy, Utah, make some noise!” Fitz yelled into the mic as the band prepared their instruments, launching into a final stretch of catchy, upbeat tunes, including “All the Feels,” “Moneymaker,” and “Let Yourself Free.”
Before the final song, Fitz leaned into the mic: “Thank you for always being real people, real music lovers.” He followed with his “most sincere and heartfelt” appreciation for the fans.
Then came the moment that everyone had been waiting for.
The sharp claps and pulsing beat of “HandClap” blared through the speakers, and the energy in the crowd shifted instantly. People jumped to their feet, clapping along before the first lyric even began. Bright lights flashed and illuminated the silhouettes of the crowd as they raised their hands and danced along.
Experiencing “HandClap” live, with hundreds of pairs of hands moving in sync, was a powerful end to a night full of energy and fun.