A sold-out crowd packed their way into Red Butte Garden this last Monday, August 19th, to spend their evening singing and dancing with folk-rock, singer-songwriter, Shakey Graves. The Salt Lake City crowd was treated to a high-energy yet personal show by the Austin city-based performer. One could not have asked for a better evening as all the stars seemed to align, the days of storming had just cleared up and set the stage for one of the best shows of the summer.
On the evening of July 31st, the traffic at Park City was worse than normal but that didn’t come without reason. Michael Franti & Spearhead were playing at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater at Deer Valley and the town was eager to see him. As a Park City local, DV concerts are always so special as the setting is stunning and the once-ski slope turns into a great gathering place for shows. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit just a couple of weeks ago with The Dead South and Gregory Alan Isakov appearing in the following weeks. I love how Park City (renowned for world-class skiing) is a part of Utah’s music scene.
Once I could find parking, I made my way into the venue. Not shockingly, I was able to point out a couple of people I knew within the lines and catch up with many of them during the wait. Unfortunately, The line was so long that the opener was already nearing its end when I got through.
Feeling a little disappointed in myself for not anticipating traffic I knew was there, I brushed it off to make the most of the opener. When I made my way to the VIP area, everyone had their eyes locked in, it seemed that making my way past people wouldn’t be an issue in breaking that focus. Citizen Cope is mainly focused on the Reggae & Alternative Indie scenes. The music was funky and they had so much joy on stage. Their sets were a great way to ease into the night.
As the time drew closer for Michael to take the stage, The venue was pretty much filled to the brim with people. During this time, a countdown was starting at 10. As the number closed in on zero, you could hear the excitement and screams from everyone at Deer Valley. A video played after the countdown of Michael reminds us to remember and focus on the good things in life. Right as the video ended, his band started to make their way to the stage with Michael coming out last.
They immediately played “Meet Me When the Sun Goes Down, ” setting the tone for the rest of the night. The high-energy song was enough to get people still sitting on their blankets to get up and start waving their hands in the air. It was also too much for Michael as halfway through the song, he sprinted into the crowd and started singing alongside the members of the audience.
Michael was consistently interacting with the crowd, and the people loved it. It was rare to listen to a song that didn’t have Michael saying “Go say Hi to someone new” or “Dosey-doe with the person next to you”. Every song had sparks of positivity through words and the pure happiness that he was showing. Michael was very animated and moved all over the stage. He interacted with his fellow bandmates often as well. Michael brought many people up on the stage with him. Including one girl who got to bring her whole family up to join in the singing and got everyone over the age of 80 to join the stage with him as well. I admired that he made sure everyone introduced themselves and took a major interest in the people who joined him.
Don’t get me wrong, I love how positive Michael was the entire show but I personally think that got in the way of the music. When talking to other members of the crowd, some also shared this sentiment. He tried to push out the message of positivity every chance he got which made the show feel repetitive. One guy even said “We didn’t really come for the music but more so Michael’s charisma and being amazing at giving others energy. He does a great job at making everyone feel like they were part of a community celebration”. I will give him that, his charisma was truly palpable throughout the performance. He has a unique ability to connect to his audience on a personal level effortlessly.
As I left the Snow Park Amphitheater, I started to think about Michael’s impact on the people he sang to today. In a world with so many sad and horrible things happening. He served as a reminder to all be present, to care and love others close to you. Michael delivered a performance that was both entertaining and meaningful. For those who needed it the most, I know it was an unforgettable experience.
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.
On Wednesday, June 5 the Red Hot Chili Peppers brought their Unlimited Love tour to Utah’s First Amphitheatre. It was no surprise that the show quickly sold out. Utah fans have waited 18 long years for the band to return. Their last concert in Utah was in 2006, Their performance was the 3rd to last concert at the original Delta Center before the name changed to Energy Solutions Arena. I found it interesting that their long-awaited return to Utah marked the 3rd concert at the newly named Utah First Amphitheatre (formerly USANA Amphitheatre.)
Bleachers fans were blown away, (almost literally,) during the first show of their tour at The Great Saltair in Magna Utah. Although the night, unfortunately, had to end a little early due to dangerous winds, the show was still a lot of fun.
Concerts have officially moved outdoors! I can’t explain how much I love the feeling of the first outdoor concert of the year. It means that not only is the weather warming up, but that we’re in for a great run of outdoor concerts, and festivals. It was a perfect evening in Ogden as we commenced with the first show of the Ogden Twilight Concert Series of 2024. French Indie Rock band, Phoenix seemed very fitting as the series opener. Last year, Beck embarked on his Summer Oddessy Tour with Phoenix as his support. When Beck made his stop at Ogden Twilight, the show was more of an intimate acoustic set. Because of this, Phoenix wasn’t in the lineup. So while we had to wait a bit, it was worth it to finally see them grace the Ogden Amphitheater stage for the very first time.
The Beatles are considered one of the greatest bands of all time, and their music has resonated through generations. As a tribute to this iconic group, Rain performed their greatest hits at the Eccles Theater on July 26, 2023. It was an unforgettable event, as fans of The Beatles joined together to celebrate their timeless legacy. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to experience a live performance of some of the most beloved songs ever written! Rain will also be performing at Eccles Theater tonight (July 27th). Go to the link below for tickets.
