Concerts have officially moved outdoors! I can’t explain how much I love the feeling of the first outdoor concert of the year. It means that not only is the weather warming up, but that we’re in for a great run of outdoor concerts, and festivals. It was a perfect evening in Ogden as we commenced with the first show of the Ogden Twilight Concert Series of 2024. French Indie Rock band, Phoenix seemed very fitting as the series opener. Last year, Beck embarked on his Summer Oddessy Tour with Phoenix as his support. When Beck made his stop at Ogden Twilight, the show was more of an intimate acoustic set. Because of this, Phoenix wasn’t in the lineup. So while we had to wait a bit, it was worth it to finally see them grace the Ogden Amphitheater stage for the very first time.
Thousands of Lauren Daigle fans poured into the Maverik Center on Friday, May 17th! She, along with opening act, Victory Boyd, brought The Kaleidoscope Tour to Utah!
Earlier this month, in the heart of Salt Lake City, Jade Bird graced the stage in a quaint intimate venue called The State Room. If you’ve never been there, It’s a charming theatre with a decently sized floor and layered seating. Above the center of the room, hangs a giant mirrorball. When I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the room and stage. It wasn’t too stuffy, but cozy. For a show that wasn’t completely sold out, I had plenty of room to shoot from anywhere. I was excited to be here, not only for the first time but to shoot at a new venue. I’m always worried about the lighting of small venues, but I had no issues here. AND I had a mirror ball to add a touch of flare to these glowy shots I was about to get.
I was lucky enough to attend Viking-metal mainstays Amon Amarth. They are headlining “Metal Crushes All Tour” Tour. They had support from Cannibal Corpse and Obituary, and Frozen Soul at The Complex last week.
LANY • Hazlett • Conor Burns • March 9, 2024 • Delta Center
Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson
On Saturday, March 9th, multi-platinum pop-rock band LANY, brought their A Beautiful Blur tour to The Delta Center in the heart of Salt Lake City. The Los Angeles-based band consists of lead vocalist Paul Jason Klein and drummer Jake Clifford Gross. The duo performed an incredible and non-stop entertaining show to a packed house. The band made it clear that their top priority was their fans. Although it was LANY on stage, they kept the crowd in the spotlight all night. The way Klein interacted with the audience was above and beyond what I typically see at concerts, and it brought an exciting energy to the show. I am convinced that the connection between the band and its fans is a big reason they have such a loyal following.
Ryan Beatty brought his 2024 North American Calico Tour to The Grand at The Complex in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 8th! It was his first time doing a show in Utah, and his excited fans lined up as early and a few hours before the night’s events and filled up the space inside the venue quickly once the doors opened!
When I arrived inside of the venue, there was a palpable sense of anticipation from the fans, yet they maintained a mellow and relaxed vibe. A venue worker jokingly remarked, “I came to take a peek at the rowdy crowd!” and then mentioned that because of the audience’s well-behaved demeanor, he predicted that it would be an easy night for venue staff and security.
Paper Kites • Bella White • February 27, 2024 • The Depot
Reviewed and Photographed by Nate Bonney
On Feb 27th, the Paper Kites started the second half of their North American tour right here in Salt Lake City. Playing at The Depot. The show was originally at the metro music hall but sold out fast. They upgraded the venue and The Depot also sold out. The Complex, which is a larger venue around the corner, didn’t have the date available so they kept it at The Depot. This was Paper Kites first time in Salt Lake City. Its nice for them to see that it is worth stopping here when they tour.
While I was in line I was joking with everyone who was surprised that they came to Salt Lake City, that I was the one who brought them here. Because I would always tell them on their post to come to Salt Lake City.
Bella White
The opener they invited on tour with them was Bella White. She is a Canadian-American from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Her music style combines elements of bluegrass, country, folk, and Americana. She got her influence from her father who was a semi-professional musician in Virginia.
She started her set off with “Among Other Things.” It is from her 2023 album with the same title. Even without a full band to accompany her she still commanded the stage and the audience.
Throughout her whole set, I was getting Jewel vibes. Not the pop Jewel but the jewel that yodels. Like a mountain woman, she sang her story and the audience could feel it. She was well received. Most of the songs were from her 2023 album the last one was from her 2021 Just Like Leaving album. The lighting of her set was well-matched with her style. The way the light would come in and out almost put the crowd in a trance.
Below is her setlist. Give Bella White a listen and enjoy. Good road trip music.
1. Among Other Things 2. Numbers 3. Flowers on My Bedside 4. The Way I Ought to Go 5. Unreleased ID 6. Just Like Leaving
After Bella White’s set, Paper Kites took the stage. They are promoting their 6th studio album At the Roadhouse. I saw The Paper Kites in LA a few years ago and have all their albums. They played a variety from all of them. This tour was nice because with all the hits they have they didn’t play a bunch of them like the last time I saw them and it makes each one of their concerts unique.
Paper Kites have the awareness of their music not to repeat what they have done in the album before and always try something new. Although they keep the Paper Kites feel, they have more of a roadside bar from out in the middle of nowhere feel to this album. Singer Sam Bentley explained that the idea was to present the idea of the perfect bar that never existed and where people would go to enjoy themself. They had with them The Roadhouse Band which added more depth and a full sound to this album and created more of a concert assemble than a band.
Paper Kites was formed in Melbourne Australia in 2009 by Same Bentley (lead vocal/guitarist) and Christina Lacy (vocal/keyboard). Later joined was Sam Rasmussen (Bass), David Powys (vocals/guitar), and Sam’s brother Josh Bentley (drums).
They started their set with “Between the Houses,” from their 2018 album On the Train Ride Home. It’s a mellow song to get everyone in the mood.
Between their first and second song. Sam mentioned that every time they would post tour info there was a lone person who would always comment on their post “Come to Salt Lake City!” I thought that was funny that they would mention that. So, everyone who was at the show, you’re welcome! I hope you enjoyed them on my behalf haha.
Their next song was “Til The Fames Turn Blue,” from the new album. When that steel guitar kicks in, you can tell that it’s a great song. Better than the album and the album is great. For the first 5 songs they sang they stayed seated then they left for a minute and then came back ready to sing “Tenebaum” from their 1st album States. Sam mentioned that they love seeing couples hugged together and the singles by themself. They mention that they love that their songs are relatable to anyone. They also mentioned that they want to make t-shirts that say “I cried at a Paper Kites concert.” The crowd laughed because it’s true haha.
They all seem all melancholy but when they play songs like “June’s Stolen Car,” you see that they are more than just a band that sings sad love longs. Another song that changed the vibe was “Without Your Love”. On the album, the girl part is sung by Julia Stone. At the Concert it was Christina Lacy. Who did an amazing job and you couldn’t even tell a difference. “Black & Thunder,” is another song that just has a great blues beat and shows the diversity in The Paper Kite’s range of genres.
The Paper Kites set is always enjoyable. Everybody comes to listen and everyone sings their songs but not loud so you can still hear them and not the crowd. There were times where you could hear the crowd but then the next song was just the band and the refrigerator humming at the back of the venue.
Paper Kites did something that I hadn’t ever seen them do. They covered a song by Adrianna Leaker, “Anything.” They finished up their set and then of course performed an encore. Christina joined Sam and sang “By My Side.” On the album, he is accompanied by Rosie Carney. They finished on an upbeat song “Electric Indigo.”
Below is their setlist. Give it a listen and enjoy. Everyone else did. I don’t think anyone was disappointed. If they didn’t play one of their favorite songs then they were able to listen to it on the way home. They of course played their hit that got them recognized “Bloom.” We all look forward to them coming back. I’m sure they will be at a bigger venue. The sad part about that is the intimacy that The Depot offers is great!
1. Between the Houses 2. Till the Flame Turns Blue 3. Hurts So Good 4. Nothing More Than That 5. Marietta 6. Tenenbaum 7. Burn the Night Away 8. Bloom 9. June’s Stolen Car 10. Without Your Love 11. Good Nights Gone 12. Black & Thunder 13. Anything (Adrianne Lenker cover) 14. Paint 15. Darkness at My Door
On Saturday, February 24th, 2024 Grace Potter and her band blessed our eyes and ears with an incredible and fun performance at the Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City. This was not a venue I was very familiar with. The only other time I had been at this venue was to work as contract security for The Fiddler On The Roof in 2017. But this venue was the perfect setting for the energy and electricity Grace and her band exuded.
The Kills • The Paranoyds • February 9, 2024 • The Union
Reviewed and Photographed by Mark Daluz
On the morning of February 9th, Park City experienced a monster of a snowstorm which naturally drew me in with a day filled with powder skiing. I genuinely had one of my best days skiing and right as I was about to take my well-deserved nap, planning on taking the rest of the day off. I got a notification on my phone reminding me that my day wasn’t over. The Kills’s “God Games” tour was rolling by the Union and I immediately got a spike of pre-concert energy.
As the end of summer is hitting, a perfect end at the Ogden Amphitheatre watching Noah Cyrus was exactly what we needed. The picturesque outdoor venue played host to a concert that was nothing short of spectacular. Noah Cyrus, the young and immensely talented artist, took the stage, leaving the audience mesmerized with a performance that showcased both her vocal talent and stage presence. She brought along Beeson and Julia Jacklin.
