Cavetown • Mother Mother • June 18, 2024 • Granary Live
Reviewed and Photographed by Mike Ferguson
The atmosphere at Granary Live in Salt Lake City was buzzing with excitement on the evening of Tuesday, June 18th as music enthusiasts gathered for a double feature showcasing performances by Mother Mother and Cavetown. The venue, known for its vibe, provided the ideal setting for an event that promised a mix of high-energy alternative rock and soulful indie folk tunes.
Sarah McLachlan • Feist • June 6, 2024 • Utah First Amphitheatre
Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe
Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe
It was good to be back at Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre (Formerly USANA Ampitheatre). The night before we were in attendance for the Utah return of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. And while the vibe was completely different, the excitement level was comparable. The great Sarah McLachlan brought her Fumbling Towards Ecstacy 30th Anniversary Tour to Utah and people were in a celebratory mood. The majority of the crowd arrived early to hang out, grab a bite or a drink, and socialize. Fans were ready for a night of great music with some incredible voices.
This spring, folk-rock artist Medium Build began their full-year tour supporting their new album, Country. Hailing originally from Alaska, but having recently moved to Nashville, the tour would be their first headlining & nationwide tour. Their Salt Lake City stop was at Soundwell, a small venue attuned to the lowkey nature of Medium Build’s music. The stage was set with eclectic, thrifted-looking decor, beach chairs, and plush animals. Before anyone came on stage, soft blue light illuminated the intricate setup, topped off by Persian rugs lining the stage.
Today, singer/songwriter Sabrina Carpenter announces her upcoming North American headlining Arena tour, The Short n’ Sweet Tour, which kicks off September 23rd in Columbus. The 29 date tour will hit cities across the US and Canada including New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, Toronto, Austin and more. Amaarae, Griff and Declan McKenna will be supporting Sabrina on this tour. The Short n’ Sweet Tour will make a stop in Salt Lake City on November 2. Sabrina has partnered with PLUS1 on this tour to launch the Sabrina Carpenter Fund, which will support the well-being of people and animals, including national and local organizations working on the issues of mental health, animal welfare, and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
This might have been the biggest concert event of the 2024 summer. If anything it got the Utah concert summer concert season off to a rousing start! I like to think of this like the Daytona 500. It’s NASCAR’s biggest event. But unlike the Super Bowl, it’s the first race in the season. Country Music megastar, Luke Combs brought his Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour to Utah for a two-night residency at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the campus of the University of Utah. The stadium was jam-packed with Country Music fans on both nights. I was fortunate to attend night two on Saturday, June 8.
Danny Lux made his first trip to The Complex last Friday on the latest stop of his international tour, Tour of Lux. The Chicano artist celebrates the release of his fifth studio album EVOLUXION, joined by fellow Latin artist Dariell Cano. That night, The Complex housed a sizable audience made up mostly of Latine and Spanish-speaking fans dressed in Danny’s signature tour merch. Before the show began, eager fans searched for glimpses of performers in the wings and then cheered to beckon them on stage. The excitement in the crowd was palpable.
Girl From The North Country • June 11, 2024 • Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photos provided by:
Photo Courtesy of Melissa Cohen (BOND Theatrical)
With the Tony Awards being broadcast this Sunday night, it felt fitting to find myself inside Eccles Theater watching a musical. A Tony Award-winning (Best Orchestrations) musical at that. The audience seemed in great spirits, ready to enjoy another great evening in downtown Salt Lake City with another show in the Broadway At The Eccles series.
Girl From The North Country is a musical featuring the music and lyrics of the great Bob Dylan with the book by Conor McPherson. It is set in Duluth, Minnesota in 1934 in the shadow of The Great Depression. The show takes place inside a guesthouse, or hotel of sorts. The cast consists of various people staying at the home. As the show goes along we are made aware of the different trials, tribulations, and struggles that each character faces or has experienced.
On Wednesday, June 5 the Red Hot Chili Peppers brought their Unlimited Love tour to Utah’s First Amphitheatre. It was no surprise that the show quickly sold out. Utah fans have waited 18 long years for the band to return. Their last concert in Utah was in 2006, Their performance was the 3rd to last concert at the original Delta Center before the name changed to Energy Solutions Arena. I found it interesting that their long-awaited return to Utah marked the 3rd concert at the newly named Utah First Amphitheatre (formerly USANA Amphitheatre.)
On an unusually cold night at the end of May, girl in red heated up The Great Saltair as she brought her Doing it Again Tour to Utah. Fans from all over the state filled the classic venue for what was to be an exciting night of high energy, music, and inclusivity. Norwegian-born singer-songwriter, producer, and amazing frontwoman, Marie Ulven, brought this crowd on an inclusive experience that is both very personal and communal.
Tuesday, June 4th, marked a night to remember at The Complex in SLC, UT, as music enthusiasts gathered in anticipation of a double-bill concert featuring the talented Madison Beer and the dynamic Upsahl. The venue was abuzz with excitement, with eager fans filling every inch of available space, signaling a near sell-out show.
Opening the evening was Upsahl, a rising star whose magnetic presence and infectious energy immediately captured the attention of the audience. With a setlist that seamlessly blended catchy hooks, introspective lyrics, and pulsating rhythms, Upsahl commanded the stage with confidence and flair.
From the moment she stepped into the spotlight, Upsahl exuded a raw and unbridled passion for her craft, channeling her emotions into each note and lyric. Tracks like “Drugs” and “People I Don’t Like” showcased her knack for crafting anthemic pop-rock tunes with a rebellious edge, while introspective ballads like “Fine” allowed her to showcase the depth and vulnerability of her songwriting.
But perhaps the most captivating aspect of Upsahl’s performance was her infectious charisma and magnetic stage presence. Whether she was dancing with abandon, engaging in playful banter with the crowd, or delivering powerhouse vocals that reverberated through the venue, Upsahl held the audience in the palm of her hand, leaving them hungry for more.
As her set drew to a close, the cheers and applause that erupted from the crowd served as a testament to Upsahl’s undeniable talent and star power. For 45 electrifying minutes, she had set the stage on fire, leaving an indelible mark on all who were fortunate enough to bear witness to her captivating performance.
As the lights dimmed and the anticipation reached a fever pitch, it was clear that the stage had been set for an unforgettable night of music. And with Madison Beer poised to take the stage, the energy in the room was palpable, signaling that the best was yet to come.
From the instant she emerged, clad in an ensemble that radiated both style and sophistication, it was evident that the audience was in for a treat. With a setlist spanning her repertoire of hits and fan favorites, Madison’s performance was nothing short of spectacular.
For nearly 90 minutes, Madison held the audience in the palm of her hand, effortlessly transitioning between heart-wrenching ballads and high-energy anthems. Her powerhouse vocals soared through the venue, sending shivers down the spines of all who were fortunate enough to bear witness. Each song was accompanied by mesmerizing visuals and choreography, further enhancing the immersive experience for concert attendees.
But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Madison’s performance was her undeniable connection with her fans. As she interacted with the crowd, sharing personal anecdotes and words of encouragement, it was clear that she genuinely valued the support of her dedicated fanbase. This sincerity only served to deepen the emotional resonance of her music, forging an unbreakable bond between artist and audience.
By the time Madison took her final bow, the energy in the room was electric, reverberating with the echoes of a truly unforgettable performance. As concertgoers spilled out into the night, their hearts full and spirits lifted, it was evident that they had borne witness to something truly special. Madison Beer and Upsahl had not only delivered a concert, but an experience—one that would linger in the memories of all who were lucky enough to be a part of it.
