Polo & Pan performed the last concert that would take place at the Ogden Amphitheater on September 25th for the Ogden Twilight Series. Sofia Kourtesis was scheduled to open the concert, but had an emergency and could not make it. Utah-based artists, Sarah Lies and Mikey Stern, would replace Sofia.
I always emphasize the park surrounding the amphitheater and how it is always packed before and after the show. I bring this up because I feel like it adds to the concert experience and is an example of how these concerts bring the community together, whether it’s enjoying the sound within the amphitheater or outside of it. Tickets are required for anyone over the age of 4, so if you’re thinking about coming out to a show next year, keep that in mind. I have been to multiple venues, and that is the one thing that stands out with the Ogden Amphitheater is how well they accommodate families.
This year’s Ogden Twilight Concert Series has filled Ogden Amphitheater with electronic and EDM fans on multiple occasions. High-energy performances by EDM star, Kaskade and a DJ set by Disclosure were raved about by those in attendance. I was not able to be at either of those shows. I was, however, able to make it to Ogden to see Jamie xx. The venue was packed with eclectic fans, both young and old.
I arrived at the Ogden Amphitheater as SEESOOOOO was finishing his set. Judging by the atmosphere inside, he had done his job getting everyone ready for Jamie xx. As I walked through the amphitheater, people seemed to be in great spirits. Fans were buying merch, ordering food from the various food trucks, or grabbing a drink. Many of them were socializing as they danced to the beats. People were feeling good.
My knowledge of Jamie xx comes from his other musical project, the band The XX. I had the opportunity to attend their show here in Salt Lake City back in 2017 at The Complex. I really enjoyed that show and have always hoped they would come back to Utah. If they have been back, I’ve missed those shows. Jamie xx, or James Smith, handles all the synthesizers, drums, keyboards, samplers, sequencers, and production for The XX. So it should come as no surprise to see him perform a DJ set. All of that knowledge and experience brought us an array of sounds for his entire set.
One of the first things I noticed, and the thing that excited me the most, was that Jamie xx was using vinyl records from time to time. I loved seeing that. Once upon a time, that was the only way DJing worked. And to see him pulling those records out of their sleeves was pretty cool. Watching Jamie xx from up close, I could see how focused he was on producing the best music for this audience.
I’m not going to lie, I have very limited experience or knowledge of what EDM DJs actually do. If you told me they just pushed play and pretended they were doing stuff, I might believe you. I have no idea. But being in the photo pit and watching Jamie xx work, he seemed like he was making a ton of adjustments and tweaks to the music. He had his headphones on and off, I’m guessing, listening to what was coming to make the best transition from one song to another. He was turning nobs and adjusting levels the entire night.
It was fun to watch the crowd react to these songs. People were dancing so freely. I could tell they just wanted to feel the beats and be connected with the music. My favorite part was when a song would sound like it was winding down. People would applaud as if there was about to be an end to the song. Just then, the beats would perfectly pick up, and the crowd would go nuts as the song either kept going or the next song was blended in. The entire night felt like one big song. It was a really fun experience.
Band of Horses performed at the Ogden Amphitheater with Wet World and Blind Pilot on July 30th. I was really excited to cover this show. I have been a fan of their music for a while but have yet to see them live. In 2008, my favorite artist, Kid Cudi, released his debut mixtape. This mixtape includes a song titled “The Prayer,” which is a sample of “The Funeral” by Band of Horses. Through this mixtape, I discovered the band, which led me to purchase Everything All The Time on vinyl.
8-time Grammy-nominated artist, Kaskade, brought Cop Kid and Mr. Tape to perform at the Ogden Amphitheater on June 20th. Both Cop Kid and Mr. Tape are from Utah. The first time that I heard Kaskade was in 2011 with the Song “Eyes” featuring Mindell Gledhill. Having performed around the world on the biggest stages, it was an exciting day to see Kaskade hit the stage here in Utah. Kaskade has been consistent throughout his career, releasing hit after hit, and currently has over 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. He has had an influential career and has had impactful collaborations with artists such as Deadmau5, Skyler Gray, Haley, Meghan Trainor, and Skrillex. It was another warm and soon-to-be-packed show.
KHRUANGBIN performed at the opening show of the Ogden Twilight Concert Series on June 1st. John Carroll Kirby would join the trio and open the show. The Ogden Twilight series is an annual summer music event held in Ogden, Utah at the Ogden Amphitheater. Walking into the amphitheater one of the first things that I noticed were the food trucks and merch booth that were full of lines. I was excited to photograph here because it’s another event center I’ve never been to.
Ogden Amphitheater transformed into a vibrant hub of eclectic sound and energy as St. Vincent took the stage for the Ogden Twilight Concert Series. Known for her avant-garde style and electrifying performances, St. Vincent, whose real name is Annie Clark, did not disappoint the eager crowd that had gathered to witness her live.
The atmosphere at the Ogden Amphitheater was charged with anticipation even before the show began. The Ogden Twilight Concert Series, which has become a staple in the local music scene, brought together fans of all ages, united by their love for innovative and genre-defying music. The amphitheater, with its intimate setting and excellent acoustics, provided the perfect backdrop for St. Vincent’s performance.
Beck’s acoustic concert at Ogden Twilight Concert Series was a truly unique experience that showcased the artist’s versatility and talent. The concert took place on a warm summer evening in Ogden, Utah, with the majestic mountains in the background. Beck’s stripped-down, acoustic performance allowed his voice and songwriting to take center stage, and his dynamic guitar playing added a layer of depth to his music.
Although it wasn’t technically a holiday weekend, with Independence Day being on a Tuesday, Friday, June 30 in Ogden had a festive summer holiday vibe with DJ and Producer, KASKADE headlining Ogden Twilight at the Ogden Amphitheater. The venue filled up quickly and everyone seemed to be in a great mood. I can’t say what crowd I was expecting for a show like this, but the crowd that arrived wasn’t what I expected. Fans of all ages filled Ogden Amp and it was cool to see that Electronic Dance Music is far-reaching.
It’s that time of year again! Outdoor concerts have returned to Utah! Things are finally warming up and our outdoor venues are ready to be used. Leading things off this year is the Ogden Twilight Series. They opened their series with Electronic Alternative band, M83. M83 was joined by Jeremiah Chiu. It was to be a night of great Electronic Music. The concert sold out quickly so it was obvious that not only were Utahns ready to see these musicians, but they were ready for Summer to begin and to finally be outside.
The last Ogden Twilight of the season. It truly felt like summer had slipped away so quickly. As I walked down Main Street the only question on my mind was, how were we going to end tonight with a bang?
