Utah Concert Review

August 3, 2022

UCR INTERVIEW: Jordana

Twenty-one-year-old artist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Jordana recently released her new record Face The Wall. Jordana is a sonic chameleon, with every new release exploring a different and unexpected side of her musical palette, while remaining just as impressive and captivating as the previous one. This new record sees Jordana put her handmade, DIY indie pop charm to the side, in lieu of more polished pop bangers as she stepped into the studio for the first time.

Following the impossibly catchy “Catch My Drift,” the spare pop gem “Pressure Point,” and the 90s alt-rock pop homage “To The Ground” is “Go Slow.” The ascendant, titular track brings us to the heart of this album. Jordana explains, “‘Go Slow’ is about facing your self brought battles and acknowledging your imperfections. It’s about taking the time to work on yourself, no matter how much you want to rush it, to be the best version of yourself you can possibly be.” Listen to the song and watch the video directed by Luke Orlando (Charli XCX, Magdalena Bay, Tove Lo) HERE.

August 1, 2022

Punch Brothers

Punch Brothers w/ Watchhouse & Sarah Jarosz• July 28, 2022• Red Butte Garden

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

After the success of their 2017 American acoustic tour, Punch Brothers decided it was finally time to revive the tour and hit the road. The 2022 version of American Acoustic would include some new and familiar faces. This time around Punch Brothers would be joined by Watchhouse and Sarah Jarosz. The second night of American Acoustic would bring the musicians to Salt Lake City’s Red Butte Garden for an unforgettable show. I had never been to a concert at Red Butte before but had always heard such wonderful things. I was excited to finally have the opportunity to experience it for myself. The perfectly manicured venue was absolutely beautiful. With the flowerbeds in front of the stage and large trees as a backdrop, it was the perfect place to enjoy live music.

July 31, 2022

UCR INTERVIEW: Bill Payne of Little Feat

Little Feat will be at Sandy Amphitheater on August 1st. They will be celebrating the 45th Anniversary of their iconic live album Waiting for Columbus. Utah Concert Review had the opportunity to chat with founding member Bill Payne.

July 30, 2022

Josh Groban

Josh Groban Preservation Hall Jazz Band & Eleri Ward• July 27, 2022• Vivint Arena

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Utah loves Josh Groban. He could easily do a concert in Utah every year and it would be well attended. In some ways, it feels like a homecoming concert when Groban stops here on his tours. I’m sure that is in part, due to him recording his Awake concert film right here in Salt Lake City at the very same venue where we saw him on July 27, 2022. To my knowledge, he has no ties to this state. It just feels like there is a real connection between Utah and Josh. Groban’s stop on his Harmony Tour was no exception. The lineup was stacked with talent from newcomer Eleri Ward to the really fun Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Josh Groban. The night never lacked for beautiful moments of music.

July 28, 2022

Rise Against + The Used

Rise Against & The Used w/ Senses Fail July 26, 2022 The Lot at The Complex

Reviewed and Photographed by Jacob Moniz

Despite the heat, fans lined the street outside The Complex just in time for Senses Fail to open for The Used and Rise Against this past Tuesday. Going into this concert I was pretty excited because I haven’t seen a concert set up on the outside stage at The Complex yet. So I was intrigued to see the stage setup. To my surprise, fans filled the outside lot all the way to the entry gate.

July 26, 2022

ARRIVAL from Sweden

ARRIVAL from Sweden The Music of ABBA

Reviewed By Kevin Rolfe

Photos By Bree Robles

I have many fond summer memories in Utah heading to the Sandy Amphitheater to watch ARRIVAL From Sweden THE MUSIC OF ABBA. ARRIVAL played Sandy for the better part of a decade before the pandemic hit. The band is actually from ABBA’s native country of Sweden so even when things started to open up, I’d imagine it took some time to work out touring visas to come back to the states. Sandy Amphitheater has a pretty full schedule this summer so ARRIVAL needed to look for another home here in Utah. I can’t think of a better place than the Snow Park Outdoor Theater at Deer Valley Resort in Park City. If you’ve never been to a concert at Deer Valley you are missing out. It’s the perfect place to escape the summer heat and listen to some great music.

July 25, 2022

COIN

COIN w/ Blackstarkids• July 22, 2022• The Great Saltair

Reviewed and Photographed by Tomo Crestani

On Friday, July 22nd, COIN visited Salt Lake City to play a packed show at The Great Saltair. Having gained quite a bit of traction here in Utah, the whole event was pretty exciting from the beginning. Bringing along the Blackstarkids, there was not much room for boredom.

July 24, 2022

The Lumineers

The Lumineers w/ Gregory Alan Isakov & Daniel Rodrigez• July 20, 2022• Maverik Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

Two and a half years ago, thousands of local Lumineers fans purchased their concert tickets and were looking forward to seeing the impressive indie folk band perform live. After being postponed for 2 years due to the Covid 19 pandemic, The Lumineers finally had the opportunity to bring their Brightside Tour to Salt Lake City. On July 20th, the band played a fantastic show to a sold-out audience at the Maverick Center. As a fan myself, I felt overwhelmed with excitement as I arrived at the Venue. I had the opportunity to talk with a few other concertgoers, who were eager for the night to start. One couple told me how they had become Lumineers fans after seeing them open for U2 at a concert in 2017. While a couple of young girls mentioned they had been fans since middle school, and couldn’t believe they were finally at the concert.

July 21, 2022

Michael Franti & Spearhead

Michael Franti & Spearhead w/ The New Respects• July 19, 2022• Red Butte Garden

Reviewed and Photographed by Josilyn Wakkuri Lybbert

The beautiful Red Butte Amphitheater was packed full of concert-goers on July 19th! Michael Franti & Spearhead, along with The New Respects, drew in the excited crowd! It was my first time at Red Butte Garden Amphitheater. I was really impressed with it! The staff was so friendly and helpful. The view was gorgeous, the flowers surrounding the stage were the perfect touch to tie in with the view, and the weather was perfect. Which was definitely the cherry on top!

July 20, 2022

Motion City Soundtrack

Motion City Soundtrack w/ All Get Out & Neil Rubenstein• July 16, 2022• The Complex

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

On Saturday, July 16th, pop-punk band Motion City Soundtrack brought their Commit to This Memory 17th anniversary tour to Salt Lake City. The tour had originally been planned as a 15th anniversary but was postponed due to the pandemic. After an extra 2 years of waiting, the band’s most loyal fans gathered at The Complex, excited and eager to see them perform.