Relive the Utah Concert Experience!
Nothing, Nowhere w/ POORSTACY, carolsdaughter, guccihighwaters & Snarls• May 16, 2022• The Complex
Reviewed and Photographed by Vanessa Holt
Nothing, Nowhere’s spring tour is completely stacked with a crazy lineup of amazingly talented artists. We were definitely in for a long night at The Complex. But it was going to be well worth it.
Continue reading “Nothing, Nowhere”KALEO• May 18, 2022• Red Butte Garden Amphitheater
Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe
May 18th was the opening night of the Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series. KALEO was the band to do the honors of opening the acclaimed series. KALEO hails from Iceland, but their music screams American Delta Blues. They did not start this series off with a whimper. If the rest of the upcoming concerts are anything like this one, we’re in for an excellent summer at Red Butte.
In a way, it almost felt like the first day of school. Or maybe the first day of summer camp. There was excitement walking through the gates, into a familiar place I hadn’t been in a while. There were the same people at Will Call, the same security guards, the same people handling press, and many of the same patrons that attend the concert series year after year. It was like catching up with old friends who I hadn’t seen “over the summer” or “throughout the school year”. Many hugs were exchanged and conversations were had about what we’d been up to. It was so fun to see everyone again.
Continue reading “KALEO”The Bay Strikes Back Tour: Testament w/ Exodus & Death Angel• May 20, 2022• The Depot
Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson
I was thrilled for the opportunity to attend and photograph The Bay Strikes Back tour featuring thrash metal bands Testament, Exodus, and Death Angel. The tour had originally been planned for 2020 but had to be rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The three Bay Area bands were finally able to return and play a sold-out show at The Depot in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 20th.
When I arrived at the Depot I found an excited line of metalheads that stretched down the street. I saw that most everyone was wearing a shirt or patch supporting one of the bands on tour. There were also quite a few shirts representing The Heavy Metal Shop. A local store that sells all things heavy metal. Just as I had arrived I heard some loud cheering from further back in the line. I quickly realized the source of the excitement was Testament’s lead singer Chuck Billy. He was returning to his tour bus after taking a minute to greet his fans and give out high fives.
Continue reading “Testament”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.
Continue reading “OMD”Ben Rector w/ Jake Scott, Stephen Day & Jordy Searcy• May 19, 2022• Sandy Amphitheater
Reviewed and Photographed by Josilyn Wakkuri Lybbert
Ben Rector fans braved a windy, chilly night at the Sandy Amphitheater on May 19, 2022. But I think that any one of them would say it was worth it! The show was the second date that Ben Rector, along with Jake Scott, Stephen Day, and Jordy Searcy, played in Utah this week. This date was the first show to sell out on The Joy of Music Tour, and it sold out quickly. So that should give a hint at the excitement and anticipation around this concert!
Continue reading “Ben Rector w/ Jake Scott”Tai Verdes w/ renforshort• May 14, 2022• The Complex
Reviewed and Photographed by Tomo Crestani
With his first visit to Salt Lake City, Tai Verdes played a sold-out show at The Complex on his HDTV Tour. There was a packed venue well before the opening artist took the stage. I was very impressed with the turnout for this show. Upon entering the room Tai would be playing in, I noticed a large number of people wearing merchandise from Tai that was not currently being sold at the show. It is always fun to see a strong fanbase. Although there was a large number of people wearing merchandise not bought at the show, I did notice a lot of people also wearing the tour merchandise. He had a hoodie that looked like clouds in the sky, which was a fan favorite for sure.
Continue reading “Tai Verdes”LoveLoud Festival• May 14, 2022• Vivint Arena
Reviewed and Photographed by Josilyn Wakkuri Lybbert
Dan Reynolds’ LoveLoud Festival returned to Salt Lake City this weekend, on May 14th, for the first time since 2019. This year, the festival took place at Vivint Arena. The festival had a great lineup with the event’s founder Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, Neon Trees, Anitta, WILLOW, and David Archuletta – just to name a few! LoveLoud is a festival that focuses on celebrating, accepting, and encouraging the LGBTQ+ community in Utah, especially the youth, was hosted by Kalen Allen.
Continue reading “LOVELOUD 2022”
Pop singer-songwriter, producer, multiinstrumentalist, and recent Elektra Records signee Jake Scott will open for indie hitmaker Ben Rector on The Joy of Music: Live U.S. tour. The tour stops off in Utah for two shows at the Sandy Amphitheater on May 18 & 19. Scott will provide direct support for the first leg of dates, which wraps in Oklahoma City on Sunday, June 5.
We had the opportunity to visit with Jake leading up to the Utah tour stops. Enjoy!
Continue reading “UCR Interview: Jake Scott”Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniversary Tour* May 10, 2022• Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
When Jesus Christ Superstar came on the scene fifty years ago, I can’t imagine anyone, composer and lyricist included, would have foreseen this Rock Opera being revived for five decades. Initially, a concept album composed by Andrew Lloyd Weber with lyrics by Tim Rice. Both at the very earliest of stages in what would become legendary careers. The album was made because there was initially very little interest in producing a stage version of the musical. The 1971 album hit #1on the Billboard charts. That sparked some interest and the first production of Jesus Christ Superstar to place in London and eventually the U.S.
Continue reading “Jesus Christ Superstar”Ryan Hurd•May 4, 2022•The Depot
Reviewed and Photographed by Tomo Crestani
Although Ryan Hurd has had a successful career writing for Country Music’s biggest stars, he also enjoys writing for himself. With his visit to The Depot in Salt Lake City, Ryan became one show closer to closing out his “Pelago Tour”. Bringing along rising country star Morgan Wade, there was plenty of exciting music to be heard.
Continue reading “Ryan Hurd”