Wynonna

Wynonna Judd

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.  

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Stephen Sanchez

Stephen Sanchez

Stephen Sanchez • The Brook & The Bluff • September 21, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Josilyn Wakkuri Lybbert

Photo Credit: Josilyn Wakkuri Lybbert

A line of a little over fifty people had already formed when I arrived to Sandy Amphitheater around 3 pm on Saturday, September 21st. Stephen Sanchez, joined by The Brook & The Bluff, made it back to Utah for his sold-out, “Live From The Connie Co Show,” tour stop. Making it his third show here in the last year and a half! It’s always extra fun to be able to attend a show as a fan while also getting to document the night! I’ve been a fan of Stephen’s for a few years, and when I first discovered his music, he only had one song released!

I’ve really enjoyed watching his career take off, and it’s been awesome to cover each one of his Utah shows and see the performances evolve and the crowd grow with each one! I think it goes without saying, but I was looking forward to this show!

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Howard Jones + ABC + Haircut One Hundred

Howard Jones

Howard Jones • ABC • Haircut One Hundred • August 17, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Some concerts are better than others.  I hope that’s the most obvious statement I make in this article.  I go to a lot of concerts and I love it.  There is something (for the most part) great in every show I have the privilege of covering. But certain concerts just check all the boxes.  Howard Jones played two headlining sold-out shows at Sandy Amphitheater on August 16 and 17.

New Wave greats, ABC and Haircut One Hundred joined Howard.  This was one of those shows that checked all the boxes that I look for as an avid concertgoer.  Entertaining headliner, check.  Support band that could be a headliner on their own, check.  Opener that I have never seen and always wanted to, check!  It was a great mix of music from a nostalgic early MTV era that I loved so much. Judging by the two sold-out nights, I wasn’t the only one who felt this way.

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Koe Wetzel

Koe Wetzel

Koe Wetzel • Kolby Cooper • August 9, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

August 9th marked an electrifying evening at the Sandy Amphitheater, where Texas country-rock sensation Koe Wetzel brought his “Damn Near Normal” tour to life, with Kolby Cooper warming up the stage as the opener. The concert was a dynamic blend of raw energy, lyrical depth, and Southern charm, making it an unforgettable night for fans.

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Nickel Creek and Andrew Bird

Nickel Creek and Andrew Bird Sandy Amphitheater

Nickel Creek • Andrew Bird • July 10, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

There is something special about seeing a Bluegrass band in an outdoor amphitheater on a summer’s night.  Some might even say that this is the only way you should see a Bluegrass or Americana band.  I can’t say I disagree.  I’ve seen some of these shows indoors and while it is still awesome, I do prefer the outdoor shows.  There’s something in the music that calls for a setting sun, a warm temperature, and a cold drink.  These were the conditions for Nickel Creek and Andrew Bird at Sandy Amphitheater.  The crowd made sure to arrive early so when I walked into Sandy Amp the venue was pretty much completely full already.

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Norah Jones

Norah Jones • Hurray For The Riff Raff • July 25, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

We always love it when Norah Jones comes to town. Whenever the announcement of her concert date is made, there seems to be a lot of excitement online followed by a quick sellout no matter what venue she performs.  I was excited when I heard she would be playing at the Sandy Amphitheater.  This venue has become one of my favorite summertime locations.  It seemed like the perfect place to spend a Summer evening listening to one of the greatest vocalists alive.  Utah Concert Review had the opportunity to cover Norah Jones at Sandy Amphitheater back in 2019.  I unfortunately was unable to attend that night, so this show was highly anticipated by me.  I wasn’t going to miss it this time.

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The Decemberists

The Decemberists

The Decemberists • July 24, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Lily Rutherford

Photo Credit: 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. 

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Old Crow Medicine Show

Old Crow Medicine Show • Molly Tuttle • June 20, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed by: Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by: Alisha Gregson

Photo Credit: Alisha Gregson

It felt very fitting to be at an outdoor concert on the evening of the Summer Solstice.  But not just any outdoor concert. That alone would have been great.  But Old Crow Medicine show performing at the Sandy Amphitheater on the eve of a full Strawberry Moon on the Summer Solstice was an evening of perfection for an avid concertgoer like myself.  Old Crow Medicine Show returned to Utah just shy of a year since their last stop here in July 2023. The band would be celebrating 25 years of their album Jubilee.

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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.

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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.  

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