This last week, alternative indie band The The, led by the ever-enigmatic Matt Johnson, made their way to Salt Lake City Utah, playing their “Ensouled” world tour at the Eccles Theater. The much-anticipated return of The The to the music scene was prefaced with “Ensoulment”, a new album released by the band earlier this year. The Utah-based audience that had crowded into the theater was treated to a near-perfect night of music across a vast musical landscape that included everything from new wave, alt-rock, post-punk and so much more. For many it had been 20-plus years since they had seen the band live, truly marking the performance as one to bring back old memories whilst cementing new ones!
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 Beatles are considered one of the greatest bands of all time, and their music has resonated through generations. As a tribute to this iconic group, Rain performed their greatest hits at the Eccles Theater on July 26, 2023. It was an unforgettable event, as fans of The Beatles joined together to celebrate their timeless legacy. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to experience a live performance of some of the most beloved songs ever written! Rain will also be performing at Eccles Theater tonight (July 27th). Go to the link below for tickets.
We cover a lot of concerts here at Utah Concert Review. But it’s not often that we’re completely floored by the opportunity to cover a legend like Gladys Knight. The “Empress of Soul” played a Friday evening show at the beautiful Eccles Theater in Downtown Salt Lake City. It was an occasion where the venue fit the artist perfectly. I could tell by looking at the audience that many people also considered this night a big deal. Some were dressed like they were going to a movie premiere or an awards ceremony. Gladys Knight fans know how to get gussied up! I had a collared shirt on and I felt very underdressed!
Black Violin is a hip-hop duo from Florida. The two members of the group are Kevin Sylvester and Wilner Baptiste, both classically trained string instrumentalists. Will B plays the viola and Kev Marcus plays the violin. I had only heard of the group but before the show, I had not heard their music. What I was told is that they mix classical music and hip-hop into their show. And that was exactly what they did. I was excited to see and hear what this type of show was like. It did not disappoint. Black Violin was joined on stage by DJ SPS and drummer Nat Stokes.
Not to brag but I’m in my forties. The reason I bring that up is I’m at the age where I remember very clearly Guns N Roses rise into the stratosphere. I remember seeing their videos on MTV and driving around with my friends listening to Use Your Illusion I & II from start to finish. Multiple times! It’s hard for me to remember a time when Slash wasn’t a part of the lexicon. When I saw Guns, it was the Chinese Democracy lineup. So, no Slash, No Duff, no Izzy, no Steve. When the band reunited, I, unfortunately, missed the show here in Salt Lake City. So when I heard that Slash would be appearing at the Eccles Theater in downtown SLC with Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators, I know I had to be there.
Photo Credit: Matt Gordon | Magic Space Entertainment
Little Big Town Night 1 Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
It’s hard to believe, but Little Big Town finally played Salt Lake City on “The Nightfall Tour”. The show had to be rescheduled at least twice. Covid-19 and the pandemic caused a lot of shows to be postponed and ultimately canceled. But Little Big Town never canceled. They tried to keep the initial date, then tried to keep the next one, and finally, they were able to play two nights at Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City. People who held on to their tickets finally got the payoff months later. We had the opportunity to attend night one and it was obvious that both the band and the audience were happy to be together.
Attending The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber at Eccles Theater felt like a joyous homecoming. I love this theater. I was there opening night and have had the great fortune to return many times attending concerts, comedy, and theater. This return, after over a year away felt that much sweeter. I even had the box office staff say, “Hi Kevin, welcome back! Here’s your ticket.” before I even made it to the window. It really did feel like I was home.
“The Really Useful Group in London has authorized a special, limited engagement of The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber to be produced almost entirely with Utah talent for Utah audiences in celebration of the return of live performance to Utah stages.
Emmy Award-winning Utah composer KURT BESTOR is collaborating with director LOUANNE MADORMA to bring this very special production featuring Utah musicians, singers, cast, crew and featured performers, including DALLYN VAIL BAYLES , DAVID OSMOND, Tony Award-winner LISA HOPKINS SEEGMILLER, LEXI WALKER and others, to the Eccles Theater, May 7th–15th.“
Utah Concert Review Editor in Chief, Kevin Rolfe had the opportunity to chat with cast member, David Osmond leading up to Friday night’s opening performance.
Photo Credit:Russ Dixon
UCR: I know what it feels like for me to once again prepare to cover a show but to be rehearsing and on a stage and listening to the music, what does it feel like to be preparing for an actual show?
David Osmond: It is goosebumps! We were on stage yesterday and we’re doing our tech rehearsals and the lights are on and you smell that theater smell and everybody’s there and we’re going through the music and its great content. I just have a perma grin. I’m ear to ear, I’ve been able to grow up in the music world since I was a baby in so many different capacities of performing.
As a kid in a barbershop quartet and my brothers as a boy band back in the day to pop music and then the opportunity to get into musical theatre and perform doing Broadway tours and shows and of course “Joseph” was kind of the kingpin of that. I did five companies of it. To do that music again in this setting is epic. There’s nothing quite like it and to know that Eccles has been down for 14 months and this is like we’re kicking the cobwebs off and we’re bringing it back! And this is a Utah show with Utah’s finest. I’m honored to be part of the mix and I think the audience is going to be thrilled not just to be back in seats and not feel that live element again. But because of the show itself, it’s pretty epic.
