Sierra Ferrell • Kaitlin Butts • July 17, 2025 • Library Square
Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe
When the 2025 Salt Lake City Twilight Concert Series was announced, there was a lot of excitement for the July 17, 2025, show with Sierra Ferrell at Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City. Ferrell was last seen at Rice-Eccles Stadium as a support artist for Post Malone’s Big Ass Tour. I remember seeing her at that concert and hearing her incredible voice, hoping she’d be playing a Salt Lake City headlining show soon. I knew I had to be downtown for this show.
Kaitlin Butts
When I arrived at Library Square, up-and-comer Kaitlin Butts was on stage. Her Honky Tonk style had the audience captivated on her set. I enjoyed her cover of Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle.” I’ve heard this song covered a number of times recently, and I’ve loved hearing musicians’ take on this hit. I thought Butts’ cover was unique and fit her style really well.
There was a moment during Kaitlin’s set where she stopped mid-song and asked security to help some people who had apparently passed out. It was a hot day and the temperature had just started to drop. Thousands of people packed together isn’t always the best. From what I could tell, everyone was attended to and ok. Security did a great job handing out water bottles throughout the evening.
This was my first time seeing Kaitlin Butts live. I loved her voice. I think she has a lot of potential and a very bright future. Keep her name in mind, and next time you see that she’s touring through Utah, check out her show.
Sierra Ferrell
When I heard the first strum of Sierra Ferrell’s fiddle, I knew this show was going to be just what I hoped for. Little did I know what I was in store for. “I Could Drive You Crazy” had the thousands of people in attendance swaying to the music. Ferrell’s music has such a classic sound. Yet there’s a refreshing feeling to it all. She’s difficult to pigeonhole. She’s Country. But that seems so limiting. Some call her Alternative Country. That fits. But there’s more to it. She has elements of Bluegrass, Americana, and Classic Country. “I’ll Come Off The Mountain” felt like something you might do the Virginia Reel to at a barn dance. At the same time, there I was on a blocked-off street in Downtown Salt Lake City surrounded by a bunch of hipsters. This music is a mystery, but it’s intoxicating to the ears.
The stage had a Midsummer Night’s Dream feel to it. There were butterflies, mushrooms, flowers, and greenery everywhere. It reminded me of the band Erasure’s 1990 Wild Tour set. But I’m pretty confident I was the only one in attendance who felt that way. Sierra had flowers, leaves, and butterflies strone throughout her hair and dress. I loved the creativity to bring some pop to the stage. The fairly simple staging went a long way to add ambiance to the show.
Sierra Ferrell asked us, “How many of you like old-time fiddle tunes?” The crowd cheered. “Awesome. We’re doing the right thing. We’re on the right track!” She then shared a story about hearing a street performer in Seattle sing a song. She told us to listen to the song and deep dive a little. She shared that there’s a darkness to it, but there’s also a message to do better. “Because the heart of man is good!” She then covered the Aurtur Smith song “Chittlin’ Cookin’ Time in Cheeatham County.”
Ferrell was then joined by her band around an area mic. They performed a string of songs with just that one mic picking them up. The harmonies sounded so good. Each band member is so talented, and it was a great way to feature them. They sang, “The Garden”, Gordon Lightfoot’s “Redwood Hill”, and “Lighthouse.” During “Lighthouse” she asked us to be her guiding light by shining our phone lights into the air. She told us that we all know what it’s like to be sad and lonely. But we also know what if feels like to be loved and held. She told us that the “Power of prayer is more powerful than we know.”
I love segments like this. Stripped down, totally exposing their true raw talents. It’s hard to pinpoint a time in the show where Sierra sounded best. But I don’t know if she sounded better than this the rest of the show. She has a remarkable voice.
Surprise Posty Appearance
Back in April, at Post Malone’s concert, Sierra Ferrell joined Posty during his set and sang with him their duet, “Never Love You Again”. Post Malone returned the favor and sang the same song with her at her show. It’s a great song. A song that sounds like it was written 75 years ago. And yet it was penned by Post Malone and others. Couples were dancing, some doing a slow Western Swing or perhaps a Country Waltz. There was what felt like a tangible energy during this song. Post Malone is one of the biggest stars today. I think sometimes we take for granted that he’s here in Utah and just made an appearance on a Thursday night.
Sierra Ferrell and Post Malone sounded great together. They have a great chemistry on stage. I noticed that back in April, and it was truer than ever on that hot July night. During the instrumental, Ferrell and Posty stepped to stage right and did a short waltz of their own, much to the crowd’s approval. You see these moments on TikTok or YouTube. But it feels rare when a huge artist steps out on stage during a show. I don’t think it’s happened to me too often, and I’ve been to a lot of shows. This was a special moment for this Salt Lake audience and I was so glad to be there for it.
Ferrell resumed the show for a few more songs. Singing some crowd favorites like “Dollar Bill Bar” and “Fox Hunt.” I love the titles to her songs. They sound so simple or specific, but they have a more meaningful message. As the show went along, I couldn’t help but stop and just take in the music. Her voice is amazing, as I’ve mentioned. I couldn’t help but think of her upbringing in West Virginia. A place I used to live. A lot of people don’t get out of there. Her voice has taken her to some great places and given her so many great opportunities. I’m glad that she let her gift shine so that we can hear it.
Sierra Ferrell was joined once again by Post Malone on “Fox Hunt.” He pounded on a massive drum throughout the song. He looked like he was loving every second of it. The pounding beat had the audience rocking out to this one. This song has some great sing-along parts. Energy was high, and while we were clearly towards the end of the show, there were no signs of letting up. It was great seeing everyone on stage having as much fun as we were in the crowd. This was one of my favorite concerts this year. And I felt that before Post Malone took the stage. Watching how entertained he was when the fiddles and drums, and guitar were going crazy definitely added to the moment.
When Sierra Ferrell returned for her encore, she performed a song written by Kris Kristofferson and well-known by Janice Joplin, “Me and Bobby McGee.” It was an awesome cover. Sierra’s voice fit this song perfectly. I hope she makes a recoding of it.
The night ended with one of Ferrell’s best songs, “In Dreams.” It was a song that this crowd was really excited to hear. The second it started you could tell that they had been anticipating her playing it. They sang along to the “Ooh’s” and the chorus this audience made sounded beautiful. It was a great closer. Despite not wanting this show to end, it was a nice way to finish off an incredible night. Sierra Ferrell can come to Utah anytime.
