Howard Jones • Haircut 100 • Richard Blade • September 22, 2025 • The Ballpark at America First Square
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photographed by Alisha Gregson
If there’s ever been an event with a juxtaposition between venue and artist, this was it! 80s Electronic music legend, Howard Jones, celebrated the 40th anniversary of his album Dream Into Action while playing the very first concert at The Ballpark at America First Square, the brand new stadium in South Jordan, and home to the Los Angeles Angels’ AAA affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees. The classic hits seemed that much fresher as the nostalgic songs played throughout the sparkling new venue.
The night air was crisp. Showing us signs that Fall was near. As fans walked into the stadium, I could see many of them taking time to walk around and check out the new structure. I could hear many people saying that they need to get to a game next season. Others remarked about how much they loved going to games over the summer and were now curious how this stadium would do as a concert venue. I thought the fans in attendance and their enthusiasm for this music made this show as fun as it was.
The Ballpark at America First Square definitely had the right lineup for this inaugural event. Howard Jones, with his catalog of hits, Haircut 100, who just returned to the US for the first time in 40 years last year, was a welcome guest, and legendary alternative music DJ Richard Blade took nostalgia to the highest heights. We were in for an awesome night of music.
Richard Blade
The show didn’t begin with an opening band. Instead, Richard Blade, a renowned DJ responsible for bringing alternative bands like Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Berlin, and possibly even our headliner, Howard Jones. I listened to Richard Blade throughout my formative years on the L.A.-based radio station KROQ. So it was a real treat for me to get to see him play some of my favorite songs as he warmed up this crowd.
He played songs by Yazoo, The Cure, Duran Duran, and ultimately finished his set with “Just Can’t Get Enough” by Depeche Mode. Hearing Blade’s iconic voice tell short stories or memories of these bands in between songs had the audience locked in. I’d love to see him do this on other tours. He brought such great energy into The Ballpark. When he finished his DJ set, Richard Blade took time to meet with some of the audience, taking pictures and visiting while the final touches were being made before Haircut 100 took the stage.
Haircut 100
When Haircut 100 hit the stage, the venue was still filling in, but from the start of their set, it was clear their bright, jazzy pop sound was a perfect fit for the night. Their set leaned heavily on their 1982 classic album Pelican West, and every song carried the bounce and optimism that made them such a distinct voice in the early ’80s.
Frontman Nick Heyward was full of energy. He moved across the stage, grinning ear to ear, and engaging the Utah crowd with his charm. His voice has held up remarkably well, retaining the youthful lift that once put songs like “Love Plus One” and “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)” on the charts.
The entire band was excellent. Tracks like “Love’s Got Me in Triangles” and “Fantastic Day” had fans on their feet, many of them dancing with the kind of carefree abandon that only comes when music takes one back to their memories of the first time they danced to these songs.
The set was not long. Honestly, it felt like they had performed more songs than they actually did. The short 8-song set brought the atmosphere to a new level. I recall seeing Haircut 100 just a year ago when they were on tour, also on tour with Howard Jones, along with ABC. It was my first time seeing them. I could tell that everyone was so happy to see them back in the States. The feeling remained for this show. I think Haircut 100 will have many happy returns to Utah if they choose to visit us again.
Howard Jones
The sun had fully set by the time Howard Jones walked along the outfield and onto the stage. The rise in energy was instant. Howard never disappoints in the wardrobe department. For this show, he took the stage with dark sunglasses, shooting lasers out into the crowd. His signature keytar strapped to him while he donned an impressive black and silver zig-zag striped blazer. Opening with “Pearl in the Shell,” the audience was locked in on Howard and his full backup band.
As mentioned, this tour was in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Dream Into Action. This gave Jones and his fans the opportunity to revisit the songs that made him an icon. In South Jordan, he leaned in hard, playing “Like to Get to Know You Well,” “Things Can Only Get Better,” and “Life in One Day,”. Each song seemed to receive a louder applause than the next. It was fun to watch fans singing every word right back to Howard. He seemed to love it too.
For me I was excited to hear “Everlasting Love.” There is something so fun about hearing that song live. The song has a great beat and an intoxicating melody. I could not hold back from dancing along with the rest of The Ballpark. The song could easily be a closer in Howard’s set. But being placed in the middle of his setlist gave the show an extra spark that I didn’t expect.
Brandon Flowers
The highlight of the evening was the surprise appearance of Brandon Flowers, lead singer of the band The Killers. Howard Jones made an appearance at one of The Killers’ shows last summer. Flowers shared that he would be seeing Jones in Sandy for his 2024 show at the Sandy Amphitheater. Unfortunately, The Killers were doing a Las Vegas residency, so Brandon wasn’t able to make the appearance. Fortunately for us in attendance at The Ballpark at America First Square, Brandon Flowers made good and took the stage with Howard Jones to Thunderous applause. The Killers are one of my favorite bands, so this was an exciting moment.
This was a summer of seeing Brandon Flowers for me. First, he appeared at Kilby Block Party. Taking the stage with New Order to perform “Bizarre Love Triangle.” Then I happened to sit two rows behind him at the Billy Idol concert at Utah First Amphitheatre. I saw some of the older fans looking him up on Wikipedia. But the majority of the audience was so happy to see him.
Howard Jones and Brandon Flowers sang two songs together. First was, “No One Is To Blame.” I love that song, so hearing it done as a duet with the two was amazing. They followed with the song Howard performed at Live Aid in 1985, “Hide and Seek.” I loved hearing these songs. I would not have hated hearing them cover a song from The Killers. But the appearance was magical nonetheless.
Jones closed out the main set with “What is Love.” He had the crowd singing along once again. He returned for an encore that brought the night full circle. “Things Can Only Get Better” brought the house down. Everyone dancing and having a great time to end the night. It’s a great closer.
Just as we thought the night was over, Howard Jones and his band transformed it into something new: a house-infused, extended version that pulsed with modern energy. The crowd danced, clapped, and sang as if we were in a dance club.. When the lights finally came up, the audience was filled with smiles, talking about what a great night they just had.
The Ballpark at America First Square is a really fun place to see a concert. I wasn’t sure how it would look or feel. But I thought everyone involved did an excellent job turning a baseball stadium into a legit concert venue. I have a strong feeling that next summer we’ll see a string of shows happening at The Ballpark. And rest assured, that just because the weather is changing, it doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty to do at the stadium. Check out the website for upcoming activities happening at The Ballpark at America First Square.
https://www.americafirstsquare.com
