Howard Jones + ABC + Haircut One Hundred

Howard Jones

Howard Jones • ABC • Haircut One Hundred • August 17, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Some concerts are better than others.  I hope that’s the most obvious statement I make in this article.  I go to a lot of concerts and I love it.  There is something (for the most part) great in every show I have the privilege of covering. But certain concerts just check all the boxes.  Howard Jones played two headlining sold-out shows at Sandy Amphitheater on August 16 and 17.

New Wave greats, ABC and Haircut One Hundred joined Howard.  This was one of those shows that checked all the boxes that I look for as an avid concertgoer.  Entertaining headliner, check.  Support band that could be a headliner on their own, check.  Opener that I have never seen and always wanted to, check!  It was a great mix of music from a nostalgic early MTV era that I loved so much. Judging by the two sold-out nights, I wasn’t the only one who felt this way.

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Howard Jones

Howard Jones w/ Midge Ure• June 28, 2022• Red Butte Garden

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

It was a night for 80s icons at Red Butte Garden Amphitheater.  Legendary synth-pop star, Howard Jones played to an adoring sold out audience on a beautiful Tuesday evening in Salt Lake City.  He was joined by the “Voice of Ultravox”, Midge Ure.  An icon in his own right.  Howard Jones has such a strong fanbase here in Utah.  He’s played here so many times over the years and people come back every time he tours through.  I remember one year he was a support act for Barenaked Ladies.  He added his own solo date the next day because there was such a clamoring from his fans to see him in more than a shortened set.  He’s also played shows up at Park City’s Egyptian Theater with just him and a piano.  Those shows always sell out.  There is a connection between Jones and Utah that I can’t totally explain.  But it’s there and both parties embrace it.  

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All Hail the Silence June 25, 2019, Red Butte Garden

Photo By: Allister Ann

By Kevin Rolfe

Being the opening band in a concert can be a pretty different experience.  Being the opening act at Red Butte Garden can be a really different experience.  Red Butte Garden is a beautiful venue. But it’s different. Many of the tickets for their concerts are sold in a season ticket package.  So a lot of the audience just goes to everything on the schedule whether they like the artist or not. These are generally the people who talk the entire evening then leave the show halfway through the headliners set.  You’re also allowed to bring food and drinks with you so many people will pack a cooler and wine and dine while the opener is on stage. And as enjoyable as that is, I always feel for the band on stage who is performing and trying to get their music out there while most likely feeling ignored. 

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UCR Interview: Christian Burns of All Hail the Silence

By: Kevin Rolfe

Photo By: Allister Ann

Christian Burns is one half of the duo that makes up the electronic band All Hail the Silence. Burns has had an extensive career with his multi-platinum selling band BBMak, collaborating with some of the best DJs in the world and of course his work with BT. All Hail the Silence will be supporting Howard Jones when he brings his Transform Tour to Utah on Tuesday, June 25 at Red Butte Gardens. I had the opportunity to catch up with Christian leading up to the show. Here’s our conversation. Enjoy!

Utah Concert Review: Hi Christian. So where am I catching you on the tour?

Christian Burns: We just performed last night in Huntington New York. I’m not exactly sure where I am at the moment but our next show is in Boston.

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