Concert Photography Archives - Utah Concert Review

October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

The Backseat Lovers

The Backseat Lovers • Ally Dean • October 2, 2025 • The Great Saltair

Reviewed and Photographed by Austin Dayton

Under the open sky, right beside the Great Salt Lake, The Great Saltair glowed with anticipation on an early October night in 2025. For the second night in a row, fans gathered in waves across the outdoor stage, the air thick with salt and excitement. It was a homecoming for The Backseat Lovers, one of Utah’s most beloved indie exports, and by the time the sun dipped below the distant ridge of mountains across the lake, the energy in the crowd felt electric. The evening began gently, building layer by layer through two carefully chosen openers—Ally Dean and Theoretical Blonde—each adding their own tone and texture to the night before the headliners took over.

October 7, 2025October 7, 2025

Quinn XCII

Quinn XCII • Allen Stone • October 3, 2025 • The Plaza at America First Field

Reviewed and Photographed by Marlo Matamoros

Quinn XCII stopped by at the America First Field on October 3^rd with Allen Stone for his LOOK! I’m Alive Tour. I was excited to cover this show, not only because of Quinn XCII and Allen Stone but also because I haven’t photographed there before. The stage was on the east side of the stadium. It was outdoors and had an amazing view of the mountains in the background.

October 7, 2025October 7, 2025

Aly & AJ

Aly & AJ • Amanda Shires • October 1, 2025 • The Complex

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

Aly & AJ started off October by bringing their Silver Deliverer Tour to Salt Lake City. The sister duo played a fun set showcasing their new album of the same name along with a few of their favorite hits. Aly a & Aj were joined at The Complex by Americana music favorite, Amanda Shires!

September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

The Struts

The Struts • Dirty Honey • September 22, 2025 • The Depot

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

The Struts played a high-energy rock and roll show at the Depot in SLC. They were joined by Dirty Honey as they celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their incredible debut album “Everybody Wants.” The Struts have made consistent tour stops over the last decade. UCR has loved the opportunity to cover this remarkable band from the UK.

September 24, 2025September 24, 2025

Ice Cube

Ice Cube • September 17, 2025 • Maverik Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

When Ice Cube took the stage at the Maverik Center for his Truth to Power: Four Decades of Attitude Tour, the atmosphere was electric—charged with the weight of history, legacy, and raw energy. The night was a guided tour through the evolution of West Coast hip-hop, led by one of its most uncompromising architects. Cube turned the arena into a living museum of rap, balancing nostalgia with urgency, and proving that four decades into his career, he still knows how to command a crowd. I remember listening to N.W.A. and later Ice Cube solo albums with my best friend in high school. He had an amazing car stereo, and we would play these songs so loud in our Los Angeles suburb. This concert was a trip down memory lane for me. Ice Cube did not disappoint.

September 22, 2025September 22, 2025

X Ambassadors

X Ambassadors • Delacey • September 12, 2025 • The Depot

X Ambassadors brought their VHS anniversary tour to The Depot and the SLC crowd. Delacey opened for them. Utah is always welcoming of X Ambassadors. They’ve played some great shows at The Depot in the past. This show is another one added to the list of great SLC shows with X Ambassadors.

September 19, 2025October 3, 2025

The Hives

The Hives • Snõõper • September 13, 2025 • The Union

Reviewed and Photographed by Marlo Matamoros

Off their brand-new album titled The Hives Forever Forever The Hives, The Hives would make a stop in Salt Lake City at The Union Event Center. Nashville band, Snõõper, would open for them. The Hives are a popular garage punk band from Sweden that formed in the 90’s. They are known for their energetic music and do-it-yourself aesthetic. In 2023, The Hives released their first album in over 11 years.

September 17, 2025October 3, 2025

OK Go

Ok Go • September 14, 2025 • Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

One of my least favorite things about summer coming to an end is outdoor concerts and summer concert series coming to a close. One of the best and one of our favorite summer concert series is the one at Red Butte Garden Amphitheater. Summer in and Summer out, the Red Butte Outdoor Concert Series brings an impressive roster of musicians to their majestic venue. It always feels like the end of a school year. The people we’ve seen all summer at the garden part ways until the next series. We were fortunate enough to see some spectacular concerts this summer. Our final show at Red Butte was one of the most entertaining. OK Go brought their “And the Adjacent Possible Tour” to Red Butte Garden for the penultimate show of the summer series.

September 15, 2025September 16, 2025

Billy Idol

Billy Idol • Joan Jett and the Blackhearts • September 5, 2025 • Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Billy Idol has always been the embodiment of rock and roll swagger—spiked hair, leather-clad attitude, and a sneer that became iconic in the MTV era. Decades later, he still carries that same magnetic energy on stage. His recent stop at Utah First Amphitheatre on his “It’s a Nice Day To… Tour Again! tour, proved that time has only sharpened his presence rather than diminished it. Backed by the ever-flawless Steve Stevens on guitar and a band that blended precision with raw power, Idol delivered a set that celebrated both his hits and deeper cuts, while nodding to his punk beginnings and wide-ranging influences.

September 14, 2025September 14, 2025

Train

Train • Edwin McCain • September 9, 2025 • Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

Train played an outstanding show at the sold-out Red Butte Garden Amphitheater on the cool summer night of September 9th, 2025. The crowd was filled with excited fans of all ages, all decked out in train merch. A few fans in the audience were even wearing train conductor outfits, and when complimented on their outfits, would make a train horn noise, a very fun nod to the band performing.