Utah Concert Review

Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas • Taylor Dayne • July 12, 2024 • Canyons Village

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Starship featuring Mickey Thomas is one of those shows I didn’t know I’d enjoy as much as I did.  That’s not to say I didn’t think I’d like it.  Obviously, they’ve had a career spanning decades.  They have unforgettable hits.  I suppose I thought that it would be nostalgic, but an in-the-moment kind of thing.  Not a show that would last in my mind.  Well, I think I’ve had these Starship songs stuck in my head for a while since the concert.  And then for them to have Taylor Dayne, a hitmaker in her own right joining them.  It was a night of fun songs and beautiful views.

Ben Böhmer • Tinlicker • Alex Cruz • July 5, 2024 • Ogden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Mark Daluz

As I tried to figure out the maze of closed roads to get to the Ogden Amphitheater I finally found a parking lot. I was getting giddy to arrive at my first Ogden Twilight show. Being a regular at SLC’s Twilight series, I really never had the chance to check out the partner series farther north. But on July 5th, the opportunity came to me. Ignoring the blistering 88+ degree day, the Ogden Amphitheater was quite fascinating to me. The surrounding area was covered in leaves and food trucks providing shade and food for the concertgoers. It really was scorching whenever you left the confines of the shaded area so I was under the leaves enjoying a snow cone while I waited for more people to come and the first artist to take the stage. 

Cage the Elephant • Young the Giant • Bakar • June 20, 2024 • Utah First Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Logan Fang

Cage the Elephant kicked off their first tour in almost two years with a stunning performance at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre. The opening night of Cage the Elephant’s “Neon Pill” Tour drew throngs of dedicated fans from afar to the Utah stage for the anticipated performance, supported by rising solo artist Bakar and indie band Young The Giant. With their evocative stage presence and infectious hooks, it’s not surprising that Cage the Elephant has become a household name in contemporary indie over the years. In watching them live, I continued to find myself impressed by the sheer showmanship of the band coming off their two-year tour hiatus. 

d4vd • Scott James • June 22, 2024 • The Depot

Review and Photos by Tomo Crestani

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.

PVRIS • Pale Waves • June 7, 2024 • The Depot

Reviewed and Photographed by Morgan Newbold

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. 

Fork Fest • June 8, 2024 • Art Dye Park

Reviewed and Photographed by Mark Duluz

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.