Last weekend in Salt Lake City, music fans gathered at The Depot, a venue known for its atmosphere and great sound. The excitement was clear as everyone waited for d4vd, an artist famous for his unique mix of genres and heartfelt lyrics. The night promised not only the magic of d4vd but also a taste of new talent with opener Scott James.
Earlier this month, the east coast band PVRIS made their return to Salt Lake on their ‘Oil and Water’ 2024 tour! They played at The Depot, tucked right in the heart of downtown SLC. It’s one of my favorite venues and the vibes there are always spot on. I was eager to see them ever since their newest album dropped. I think they have an incredibly fun style and live show, from what I’ve seen. So, of course, that drew me in to photograph them. Opened by the always iconic Pale Waves, a Dirty Hit fan favorite, it was a night of some raw badassery from these talented frontwomen.
It felt very fitting to be at an outdoor concert on the evening of the Summer Solstice. But not just any outdoor concert. That alone would have been great. But Old Crow Medicine show performing at the Sandy Amphitheater on the eve of a full Strawberry Moon on the Summer Solstice was an evening of perfection for an avid concertgoer like myself. Old Crow Medicine Show returned to Utah just shy of a year since their last stop here in July 2023. The band would be celebrating 25 years of their album Jubilee.
Summer has made its debut to 2024 with the heat reminding us about the beauty of air conditioning and pools. But, as we get closer to the solstice stands the Fork Fest! This was my first Fork Fest and I’m so disappointed in my past self for not knowing about it sooner. Fork Fest stands out to me as it highlights the local artists in settings that befits their sound.
“This is the biggest concert I’ve ever played at in the US.”
Just eight months ago, Laufey was performing at The Depot in front of a couple hundred fans. Now she’s selling out venues and hosting the largest shows of her career. Her performance at The Gallivan Center on June 21st marked yet another milestone for the Icelandic-Chinese artist who described it as her biggest concert in the US to date.
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.