The Union SLC Archives - Utah Concert Review

June 26, 2023

Logic

Logic• Juicy J• June 20, 2023• The Union

Reviewed and Photographed by Tomo Crestani

When Logic announced The College Park Tour, many were shocked at the venues he had chosen to visit. After selling out venues all over the country, including the prestigious Madison Square Garden, it was surprising that he went much smaller for this tour. Logic actually ended up explaining why he did this in between songs on stage. Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, (Logic) explained that he missed the more intimate shows. He missed being there with the fans and actually being able to see and interact with his fans. Bringing along Juicy J, the space inside The Union Event Center was very limited. The atmosphere was like no other show I had seen at this venue before.

May 3, 2023

Ministry w/ Gary Numan

Ministry• Gary Numan• April 21, 2023• The Union

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

It was a night of musical pioneers at The Union on April 23, 2023. Industrial Metal legends, Ministry returned to Salt Lake City with New Wave Icon, Gary Numan. Upon first hearing of this lineup, some might wonder if the matchup of these two is the right fit. But I can assure anyone curious that this was an excellent fit. Most of the fans walking into The Union Events Center donned all black. But there were some who went all out for the concert. I Saw huge mohawks, platform boots, sequin skirts, you name it. People were ready for this show. I had never seen either artist. Gary Numan was supposed to play in Utah this past winter but I believe his show was canceled due to weather. I was excited to see what was in store for me.

July 2, 2022

Bright Eyes

Bright Eyes w/ Hurray For the Riff Raff• June 28, 2022• The Union

Reviewed and Photographed by Mallorie Lerman

Salt Lake City never ceases to amaze me with how many different venues and shows one can find on any given summer night. This Tuesday night I had the opportunity to check out another venue that was totally new to me. Conveniently located right next to the Traxx stop at North Temple, The Union Event Center hosted Bright Eyes with Hurray For The Riff Raff. Not knowing exactly where the venue was without looking down at my phone, I spotted someone wearing a Bright Eyes baseball tee. I could tell they had some loyal and excited fans. I followed a group of people from the parking lot to the ticket line.

May 23, 2022

OMD

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark• May 16, 2022• The Union

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, or OMD as they’re often called celebrated 40 years as a band with their Souvenirs Greatest Hits Tour. The tour comes a couple years after the actual anniversary, but like so many other tours or anniversary celebrations, the original tour was pushed back due to the worldwide pandemic. It was worth the wait, OMD never disappoints! The Monday night concert felt like a Saturday night. If the Union Events Center wasn’t sold out, it was maybe a couple of tickets away. The venue was filled and fans who have seen OMD over these 40 years were eager for the show to begin.

April 29, 2022

The Flaming Lips

The Flaming Lips w/ The Particle Kid• April 26, 2022• The Union

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

On Tuesday, April 26th, Psychedelic Rock band The Flaming Lips brought their colorful show to The Union Event Center in Salt Lake City. I was familiar with a couple of their songs. In preparation for the night I checked out a few videos from their past concerts. With the research I did, I knew that this concert would be one of a kind.

I arrived at 7:00 just as the doors were about to open. Outside stood a line of excited fans ready to be entertained. I was however surprised to see that the crowd for the night was much smaller than I expected. The band often plays to a sold-out audience, including their previous sold-out shows at the Ogden Twilight Concert Series. My guess is that many local fans may have actually traveled to Denver to catch their show the night before. Denver is known for having a bigger psychedelic scene. Or possibly fans are expecting them to return to Ogden Twilight, which is unfortunately not the case this year.

April 22, 2022

LP

LP• April 19, 2022• The Union

Reviewed by Tiffany Mull and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

My favorite musicians write and perform their own songs. Much popular music isn’t actually written or created by the person who performs it. Many pop singers, at least many of those dominating the charts these days, are the singing, dancing puppets of their record labels. These pop stars perform songs purchased, often at unfair rates, from creative individuals tucked away from the limelight. Every now and then, though, one of these truly creative people steps out of the shadows to showcase their own work.

March 15, 2022

Glass Animals

Glass Animals •March 13, 2022 •The Union

Reviewed and Photographed by Natalia Martinez

This past Sunday, British-based band Glass Animals came to Salt Lake City. It was the 5th stop of their Dreamland tour. The sold-out show was held at the Union Event Center at 8:00 pm. They performed for about an hour and a half. On a night where international pop star Justin Bieber played a show at Vivint Arena, it was Glass Animals that stole the night away. To open the show, Sad Night Dynamite got the crowd ready for Glass Animals with a high-energy performance. By the time Glass Animals came on to the stage, there was already an electric atmosphere spreading throughout the venue. Screams filled the air as lead singer Dave Bayley took to the stage.

March 3, 2022

Mayday Parade

Mayday Parade w/ Real Friends • March 1, 2022 • The Union

Reviewed and Photographed by Evelyn Salazar

What better way to kick off the new month than with some nostalgia? On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, beloved alternative rock band, Mayday Parade was here in Salt Lake City, Utah at The Union Event Center. However, this tour wasn’t just any Mayday Parade Tour. It was the 11th Anniversary of their Self Titled Album that came out in 2011! I remember when this album came out, I was a Freshman in high school and it was on repeat for a while. So I was super excited to be able to capture the show tonight!

November 15, 2021

Dr. Dog The Union

Dr. Dog Last Tour Saturday, November 6, 2021 The Union Events Center

Reviewed by Katie Barber

Tōth (led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Alex Toth of Rubblebucket fame) set a perfectly indie mood for the sold-out Dr. Dog show on a cool fall evening at The Union. Alongside Alex, drummer Jeremy Gustin and bassist Ryan Dugre sported brightly colored coveralls that matched the headliner’s Mondrian-like backdrop, a colorful dissonance that complimented the swirling vocals of the band. As the venue slowly reached capacity, stragglers were welcomed by Alex’s trumpet solos and the resulting enthusiastic cheers of the crowd.

October 18, 2021

THRICE Embarks on 2021 Autumn TourIn Support Of New Album Horizons/East

OCT 21 | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | THE UNION EVENT CENTER TICKETS ON SALE NOW

With Special Guests Touché Amoré and Self Defense Family To Support

After a year+ of no live music, California rock band Thrice are back and hitting the road this fall in support of their 11^th studio album, Horizons/East. Thrice’s 2021 Autumn Tour will be making a stop at The Union Event Center in Salt Lake City on October 21. Tickets are on sale now here.