Summertime in Utah is amazing when it comes to live music. We cover every show we possibly can, but there are just so many tours and local shows that we can’t get to them all. So far, the concerts we’ve been able to cover have been so much fun. They’ve made Summer 2025 a memorable one. Despite many of the shows we’ve been able to attend so far, the anticipation for August 13 was high up on the list. The Ogden Twilight Concert Series hosted The Head and The Heart on their Aperture Tour.
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.
Modest Mouse sold out the Ogden Amphitheater on the 28th of June. Lead singer of Built to Spill Doug Martsch would join them and open the show. This has been one of the more anticipated shows of the Ogden Twilight Concert Series. I was glad the date had finally arrived.
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.
Ogden Twilight hasn’t been pulling any of their punches when it comes to insane show lineups. Diplo, St. Vincent, and Killer Mike making an appearance to name a few. But this particular show has been a big mark on my calendar for quite some time. Having indie-rock favorite Hippo Campus and hip-hop star Killer Mike perform on the same day was one that initially confused me. I was eager to see it nevertheless.
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.
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.
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.
