Sandy Amp Archives - Utah Concert Review

September 30, 2024September 30, 2024

Wynonna

Wynonna Judd • September 25, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

We recently had the opportunity to attend a Lainey Wilson concert out at Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre. It was a fun night filled with the excitement of a Country Music star shooting up into the stratosphere of that genre. This was the biggest tour Lainey had played to date and for many, myself included, it was the first time they had the opportunity to see the fast-rising star. Just a couple of weeks later we had the opportunity to take in a show and see the Country Music world from a different perspective. We stepped into the Sandy Amphitheater to see one of Country Music’s biggest legends, Wynonna Judd.

July 30, 2024August 1, 2024

The Decemberists

The Decemberists • July 24, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Lily Rutherford

In support of their newest album, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again, The Decemberists embarked on the 36-show A Peaceable Kingdom tour across the United States. Their Utah stop was at the Sandy Amphitheater on July 24. The Sandy Amphitheater was a perfect venue for the Portland-based band, as it embraced their folky sounds with the surrounding trees and mountains. The outdoor venue felt light and airy, supporting the bands playing within it and immersing the audience into the experience, deepened by the forest cut-outs set behind the band on stage and moody lighting.

June 4, 2023

Melanie Martinez

Melanie Martinez• Portals Tour• w/ Tanukichan• June 1, 2023• Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

My niece knows that I review and photograph concerts. For at least two years, probably more, she has been telling me that I need to cover Melanie Martinez when she comes to town. Other times I’d visit her she would ask me if I knew when Melanie was going to play here. I have had my eye out for this tour for some time. I’m sure you could imagine how exciting it was to finally tell my niece that Melanie Martinez would finally be returning to Utah on her Portals Tour. Martinez has not been here since 2019. I would imagine the pandemic had something to do with that. Judging by the size and enthusiasm of the crowd at the Sandy Amphitheater, my niece wasn’t the only one excited about seeing this concert.

August 28, 2022

Mt. Joy

Mt. Joy w/ Wilderado• August 16, 2022• Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Sometimes I’ll get excited about a show simply based on what I hear from other people. I heard so many people telling me that they were excited for Mt. Joy at Sandy Amphitheater with Wilderado. This would be the first time I saw Mt. Joy I wasn’t sure what to expect. A number of people who’s opinion I respect told me I would for sure enjoy it. So I showed up with no expectations, only to have a good time. And that I did.

August 21, 2022

Collective Soul & Switchfoot

Collective Soul and Switchfoot w/ Jade Jackson• August 15, 2022• Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Justin Lagman

There is something special about concerts on a warm beautiful summer night. It was even more special for rock music fans. They got not 1, but 2 well known alt-rock bands that have been at the forefront of rock music for a very long time now. Collective Soul is celebrating their 30th anniversary with an extended tour featuring San Diego-based Grammy winners, Switchfoot. It seems like summer has flown by. We’ re trying to squeeze in all the summer activities before the weather cools down. This is my first time photographing a concert at Sandy Amphitheater. There is always something special about checking off another box on my list of Utah concert venues.

July 12, 2022

Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor• July 6, 2022• Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Indie singer-songwriter, Regina Spektor played a two-night residency at the Sandy Amphitheater. I was privileged to attend night two, the Wednesday night sold-out show. Sandy Amphitheater is facing north to south with trees lining up the west side of the venue. This is a perfect setup because, despite the warm summer’s eve (I wrote that for the Kenny Rogers fans), the sun was blocked by the trees, and most of the amphitheater was shaded. I really enjoy walking into a concert venue and seeing the look on people’s faces. It’s the first indicator of whether this will be a good crowd and a good show. Sometimes crowds want to be social, be seen, and strangely enough, can make the music secondary. That was not the case with this crowd.

July 5, 2022

Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes w/ Tim Bernardes• June 27, 2022• Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

On Monday, June 27th, Fleet Foxes played the 1st show of their 2022 tour at the Sandy Amphitheater. I have been a long-time fan of Fleet Foxes. This was a concert I had been looking forward to for a while. This is the band’s first tour in four years. Many have been eagerly waiting for them to return to the stage. It would also be the first opportunity to watch them perform songs from their 2020 album Shore. The Seattle-based folk band is known for putting on an excellent show. Expectations were high as the crowd gathered to take their seats for the sold out concert.

June 30, 2022

Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind w/ Taking Back Sunday and Hockey Dad• June 25, 2022• Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

A crowd full of 90’s alternative music lovers all gathered together at the Sandy Amphitheater on Saturday, June 25th. Third Eye Blind has always been known to attract a large crowd. I was not surprised that the show was sold out. Many in attendance were eager to reconnect with one of their favorite bands from their past. They hoped to hear those nostalgic favorites including “How’s It Going To Be,” and “Semi-Charmed Life”. There were also those in the crowd who have never stopped playing their music, or following the band’s journey. There were even some young new fans. Regardless if they came to hear the band they fell in love with in the 90s, or if they had recently discovered Third Eye Blind, I don’t think a single person left disappointed.

June 26, 2022

Tenacious D

Tenacious D w/ Puddles Pitty Party• June 17, 2022• Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Alisha Gregson

It was one of the more wild nights I’ve seen at Sandy Amphitheater. The mighty Tenacious D made a tour stop in the typically mild-mannered Salt Lake suburb. The powerhouse fusion of Jack Black and Kyle Gass was almost more than Sandy Amp could handle. I don’t know how often the “D” goes on tour. I don’t know that they come to Utah too often. The vibe inside Sandy Amp was that of great anticipation. It was a different kind of excitement. There was this feeling like “this Is going to be awesome.” But also, “I wonder just how amazingly weird it’s going to get tonight.” And it got pretty weird. But the perfect amount. Tenacious D mixed a cocktail of weird, hilarious, blue, and rock on that stage. This show may have been funny. But Tenacious D came to rock. And so did theIr fans.

June 21, 2022

Tash Sultana

Tash Sultana• July 11, 2022• Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Seeing Tash Sultana live is more than just a concert. It’s an all-encompassing experience. Sultana is the only one on stage. But you would never know it by the layers upon layers of music that are coming out of the speakers and into the stands. There was a vibrant energy throughout the audience and it was clear that the people there were expecting a fun night. The line for merch was lengthy but shortened just in time for Tash Sultana to take the stage. I like the way Sandy Amphitheater set up the merch booth. The line forms on the hill so people can actually watch the show from a distance as they wait to buy a shirt.