REDWEST

REDWEST Country Music Festival • October 10-12, 2025 • Utah State Fairpark

Reviewed and Photographed by Josilyn Wakkuri Lybbert

I was so excited and honored to have the opportunity to photograph and review the REDWEST festival at the Utah State Fairpark on October 10-12, 2025! With it being the only second year of the festival, they drew in the masses with their fantastic line up, from big name headliners like Kacey Musgraves, Post Malone, and Noah Kahan, but I saw and heard a lot of conversation and excitement for bands and artists like Ella Langley, Ole 60, and Avery Anna – just to name a few!

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Howard Jones

Howard Jones • Haircut 100 • Richard Blade • September 22, 2025 • The Ballpark at America First Square

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Alisha Gregson

If there’s ever been an event with a juxtaposition between venue and artist, this was it! 80s Electronic music legend, Howard Jones, celebrated the 40th anniversary of his album Dream Into Action while playing the very first concert at The Ballpark at America First Square, the brand new stadium in South Jordan, and home to the Los Angeles Angels’ AAA affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees.  The classic hits seemed that much fresher as the nostalgic songs played throughout the sparkling new venue.  

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The Beaches

The Beaches • Annie Dirusso • October 11, 2025 • The Complex

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

It may have been raining out, but the crowd came out for The Beaches at The Complex in Salt Lake City with opening act Annie DiRusso. While others were forced to brave the precipitation at other shows going on in SLC, we were fortunate to be inside the warm confines of The Rockwell room of The Complex.

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The Backseat Lovers

The Backseat Lovers • Ally Dean • October 2, 2025 • The Great Saltair

Reviewed and Photographed by Austin Dayton

Photo Credit: Austin Dayton

Under the open sky, right beside the Great Salt Lake, The Great Saltair glowed with anticipation on an early October night in 2025. For the second night in a row, fans gathered in waves across the outdoor stage, the air thick with salt and excitement. It was a homecoming for The Backseat Lovers, one of Utah’s most beloved indie exports, and by the time the sun dipped below the distant ridge of mountains across the lake, the energy in the crowd felt electric. The evening began gently, building layer by layer through two carefully chosen openers—Ally Dean and Theoretical Blonde—each adding their own tone and texture to the night before the headliners took over.

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Quinn XCII

Quinn XCII • Allen Stone • October 3, 2025 • The Plaza at America First Field

Reviewed and Photographed by Marlo Matamoros

Quinn XCII stopped by at the America First Field on October 3rd with Allen Stone for his LOOK! I’m Alive Tour. I was excited to cover this show, not only because of Quinn XCII and Allen Stone but also because I haven’t photographed there before. The stage was on the east side of the stadium. It was outdoors and had an amazing view of the mountains in the background. 

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Aly & AJ

Aly & AJ • Amanda Shires • October 1, 2025 • The Complex

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

Photo Credit: Amelia Weyerstall

Aly & AJ started off October by bringing their Silver Deliverer Tour to Salt Lake City. The sister duo played a fun set showcasing their new album of the same name along with a few of their favorite hits. Aly a & Aj were joined at The Complex by Americana music favorite, Amanda Shires!

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Bring Me The Horizon

Bring Me The Horizon • Motionless In White • The Plot In You • Amira Elfeky • September 30, 2025 • Maverik Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Max Taylor

On September 30th, 2025, the people of Utah saw Bring Me the Horizon land in Salt Lake City for the seventh show of their ten-date U.S. stretch on the Ascension Program Tour. Fans filled the Maverik Center to the brim. With a stacked lineup featuring Amira Elfeky, The Plot in You, and Motionless in White, the evening’s anticipation launched fans into an experience they would not soon forget as they became immersed in Bring Me the Horizon’s world. 

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The Paper Kites

The Paper Kites • Hayden Everett • September 24, 2025 • The Complex

Reviewed and Photographed by Nate Bonney

Photo Credit: Nate Bonney

The Paper Kites brought their 2025 US Tour to The Complex in Salt Lake City. They were joined by Hayden Everett. Utah Concert Review has enjoyed covering The Paper Kites in the past. They’re one of those bands that we always look forward to seeing. Turns out we weren’t the only ones. They had an audience of adoring fans who showed up.

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The Struts

The Struts • Dirty Honey • September 22, 2025 • The Depot

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

The Struts played a high-energy rock and roll show at the Depot in SLC. They were joined by Dirty Honey as they celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their incredible debut album “Everybody Wants.” The Struts have made consistent tour stops over the last decade. UCR has loved the opportunity to cover this remarkable band from the UK.

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Big Thief

SLC Twilight • Big Thief • Kiki Cavazos • September 22, 2025 • Library Square

Reviewed and Photographed by Sam Howard

Photo Credit: Sam Howard

Grab some tissues, and brace for the emotions to come from the last show of the 2025 Salt Lake Twilight Concert Series, Big Thief. Performing at Library Square to a sold-out crowd, this was about to be the most anticipated show of the entire concert series. Leading up to doors opening, there was a line of people waiting to get in that stretched almost two whole blocks around Library Square, with some of the first people in line arriving at the venue as early as 10 AM that morning. With doors opening at 5 PM and a three-act lineup including Little Moon and Kiki Cavazos, it felt like we were in for a long night of beautiful and emotional live music. 

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