ZZ Ward March 2, 2020 The Complex

By: Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe @utahconcertreview

Back in 2012, I was at the concert of a band (who shall remain nameless) who was huge that year.  Their songs were on the charts, they were all over TV and everybody seemed to really like them. Obviously I liked them, I was at their concert. But I remember leaving the venue and running into a former coworker.  I asked him if he liked the concert and he stated that he wasn’t at that concert but at the venue nearby seeing ZZ Ward. I knew the name but wasn’t familiar with her music. He stated that he could hear the concert I was at through the wall dividing the venues.  He then mentioned, “Sounds like it was a good time.” But he said it in a tone that let me know, it wasn’t as good as his show. ZZ Ward was playing in a smaller, more intimate venue so I thought, “There’s no way that show was better than mine!” Well in the following days, I heard people at other shows I was attending and posts online mentioning how amazing that ZZ Ward show was.  All this time later, I wished I could have seen her in that tiny no longer used venue. Finally, on March 2 I was able to see what all the fuss was about.

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Echosmith w/ Weathers February 27, 2020, The Complex

By: Erica Fasoli

Photo Credit: Erica Fasoli @ericajfasoli

Echosmith, the sibling trio known for radio hits “Cool Kids” and “Bright” brought Weathers and Jayden Bartels to the Complex on Thursday night. A combination of rock and pop filled the venue and brought a contrast of moody and bright performances made for an interesting and entertaining night.

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Pinegrove February 15, 2020, The Complex

By: Erica Fasoli

Photo Credit: Erica Fasoli @ericajfasoli

Saturday night at the Complex focused on the comeback of a band that sincerely wanted to make amends and a crowd that was ready to forgive. Pinegrove, an indie-folk band, made a stop in Salt Lake City to promote their newest album release, “Marigold”, based on their experiences over the past few years.

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American Authors & Magic Giant w/ PUBLIC February 10, 2020, The Complex

By: Evelyn Salazar

Photo Credit: Evelyn Salazar @takenbyevelyn

I honestly don’t even know how to begin to explain what an amazing concert The Band of Brothers tour brought to Salt Lake City. For a Monday, it was a party at The Complex, and I don’t mean that lightly. The performers were PUBLIC, Magic Giant and American Authors. I was stoked to see American Authors perform again. It would be my third time seeing them live and my second time photographing the show, last time was when they were here in the summer and performed at Red Butte Garden. That time, they were opening so it was going to be great to see them as a headliner this time. I had never heard of Magic Giant and I only knew one PUBLIC song. However, it was a huge turn out from the moment doors opened, so I expected these other bands to be pretty good. 

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Bishop Briggs November 8, 2019, The Complex

By: Erica Fasoli

Photo Credit: Erica Fasoli @ericajfasoli

Friday night at the Complex was a special one. Not only was the lineup packed with incredible female talent, but the headliner, Bishop Briggs, released her new album “Champion” that same day. Joined by Jax Anderson and Miya Folick, the lineup screamed confidence, empowerment, and powerhouse vocals. A night to remember.

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Madeon October November 5, 2019, The Complex

By: Alex Wardell

Photo Credit: Alex Wardell

I remember the first time I saw Madeon’s “Pop Culture, Live Mash-up” on YouTube; reminiscing with fondness at the wonder this musician awoke inside me. Nine years later, Hugo has produced his own album, a number of EP’s, as well as, collaborations with many monolithic artists within the EDM industry; and now drops his latest, during a quite extensive North American tour. ‘Good Faith Live,’ I anticipate to be transcendent as Madeon’s performance at The Complex, last Tuesday. Hugo Pierre Leclercq has a timeless style and ever adapting production techniques. He is one of the few EDM artists which I still find myself impressed with as I get older and my preferences in music change. This is very important to me because of the nuance sometimes involved with new artists and varying styles within EDM genres concerning what’s relevant; the difference between what is currently popular and which artists are truly talented musicians and producers. Very rarely do I find an artist, who possesses the encompassing skill set, capable of attracting a new audience, while also keeping their fan base interested and excited. Madeon seems to do this in an almost effortless manner. The anticipation which had been digging beneath my skin for over a month now, yet as I gazed on the stage instantly dissolved amidst the dancing lights and rhythmic hum.

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Chelsea Grin October 31, 2019, The Complex

By: Alex Wardell

Photo Credit: Alex Wardell

Circle pits, a small riot, a guitar shreddin’ banana and the start of one of the most hardcore tours were kicking ass in Salt Lake City on Halloween. The ‘Eternal Nightmare’ tour featuring four of my favorite groups performed at the Complex; October 31st, 2019 was one of the most incredible concerts of my life and definitely the most memorable Halloween of recent years. The Complex was thriving with fans from all scenes of the hardcore world: Thrash, Grindcore, Hardcore-Punk, Sludge, Stoner Metal, Metalcore and the ever hated Deathcore. For the sake of us having a good time, I do not categorize performers within the hardcore scene for any other reason other than to distinguish the vastly different and prolific talents of these bands from one another. Isn’t this why there are mosh pits in the first place? All of us have such passions and emotions tied to this music and our most beloved talents in the community, that reason and arguing will never get us anywhere, perhaps a few bruised ribs and split lips will; probably not, but that will never keep us from trying. Now, let’s chat about the thunderous scene I found myself in upon simply entering the venue.

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