Concert Photography Archives - Utah Concert Review

October 24, 2025October 24, 2025

Elbow

Elbow • October 10, 2025 • The Union Events Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

There’s something quietly monumental about seeing Elbow perform live. The Manchester band, fronted by the endlessly charismatic Guy Garvey, has always occupied a singular space in Alternative Music. Accessible, grand yet intimate, able to make a thousand-person room feel like your own living room. When they brought their 2025 North American tour to The Union Event Center in Salt Lake City, that rare magic was fully on display. What unfolded wasn’t just a concert, but a heartfelt communion between band and audience — equal parts celebration, reflection, and collective release.

October 21, 2025October 21, 2025

Ziggy Marley and Burning Spear

Ziggy Marley • Burning Spear • October 12, 2025 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

Ziggy Marley played a groovy set, playing a mix of his own original songs and the familiar reggae hits of his father Bob Marley. Burning Spear literally warmed up the crowd with their distinctive rhythms that brought nearly everyone to their feet to start moving to their Rasta beats. Everyone enjoyed the grooves, crisp fall air, beautiful sunset, and the positive vibes at Sandy Amphitheater.

It was the final show for the season at Sandy Amphitheater. We have thoroughly enjoyed covering concerts at Sandy Amp. It’s one of our favorite summertime venues, and we can’t wait to get back there in the spring.

October 16, 2025October 20, 2025

Howard Jones

Howard Jones • Haircut 100 • Richard Blade • September 22, 2025 • The Ballpark at America First Square

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Alisha Gregson

If there’s ever been an event with a juxtaposition between venue and artist, this was it! 80s Electronic music legend, Howard Jones, celebrated the 40th anniversary of his album Dream Into Action while playing the very first concert at The Ballpark at America First Square, the brand new stadium in South Jordan, and home to the Los Angeles Angels’ AAA affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees. The classic hits seemed that much fresher as the nostalgic songs played throughout the sparkling new venue.

October 15, 2025October 15, 2025

The Beaches

The Beaches • Annie Dirusso • October 11, 2025 • The Complex

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

It may have been raining out, but the crowd came out for The Beaches at The Complex in Salt Lake City with opening act Annie DiRusso. While others were forced to brave the precipitation at other shows going on in SLC, we were fortunate to be inside the warm confines of The Rockwell room of The Complex.

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.