Utah Concert Review Archives - Page 4 of 49

August 7, 2023

The Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins•Stone Temple Pilots•Rival Sons• August 1, 2023• USANA Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

The Smashing Pumpkins started off August by putting on an epic performance at USANA Amphitheatre. They were supported by Stone Temple Pilots and Rival Sons. Those in attendance were treated to an unforgettable show, with iconic hits ringing out through the night. Fans of the band had the chance to relive their favorite moments and create some truly smashing memories.

July 31, 2023

50 Cent

50 Cent•Busta Rhymes•July 21, 2023• Maverik Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

It was an electrifying night when 50 Cent took the stage at the Maverik Center in Utah for his Final Lap Tour. Hip-hop fans had been waiting in anticipation for weeks, and the energy in the room was high. 50 Cent put on an incredible show. Proving why he has remained one of the most iconic hip-hop artists for nearly two decades. Here’s a review of his epic performance!

July 31, 2023

The Avett Brothers

An Evening With The Avett Brothers•July 19, 2023• Maverik Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

The Avett Brothers are one of my favorite bands. I must admit I was a little late to the band having first seen them in 2016 at the Greek Theater in Berkley, California. At that point, the boys had been well-established. I was so stunned by the performance that I became an instant fan. The concert felt like a rock concert more than any Americana, American Roots, Folk, or Country concert I had seen. I’ve been hooked ever since.

July 27, 2023

Rain- A Tribute to The Beatles

Rain- A Tribute to The Beatles•July 26, 2023•Eccles Theater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

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.

July 25, 2023

The Principle Wife

The Principle Wife• July 22, 2023• Cover Center for the Arts

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

*This review contains spoilers. If you’re planning on seeing The Principle Wife come back and read this after you’ve seen it. Otherwise, you may proceed.*

I saw the billboards, I’ve seen the social media ads, and I thought, ‘Is this a musical about polygamy?’ Then I received an email with an invitation to review the production of The Principle Wife. So I read up on it and sure enough, it is. I’m sure many of you might be thinking, why would anyone write a musical about polygamy, why would Kevin go review a musical about polygamy, and do we need a musical about polygamy, are people wanting this? I’ll do my best to answer those questions.

July 23, 2023April 19, 2024

Taylor Swift

UCR On Tour:Taylor Swift • MUNA • Gracie Abrams • July 14, 2023 • Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

It’s difficult to describe the feeling you get when you see an email from Taylor Swift’s team telling you that you’ve been approved to cover her concert in Denver, Colorado. I’m sure you can imagine from a professional standpoint the feeling I might have, getting to cover the biggest concert in the world. And while I’m not sure I’d consider myself an official Swiftie, I’m a lover of concerts, and getting to see someone as massive as Taylor Swift, in a show that has been so well documented over social media, as epic, was an unbelievable experience.

July 23, 2023

The Sound of Music

Utah Valley University and Sundance Mountain Resort Present The Sound of Music July 22, 2023

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Is there a better setting outside Austria to see The Sound of Music than the Outdoor Amphitheater at Sundance Mountain Resort? I can’t imagine there is. The setting was so perfect for the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. With tree-lined mountains as its backdrop, there was very little need for elaborate set design. These hills, if I may, did come alive as the focal setpiece to make this musical visually soar. The mountain air was crisp and cool. A welcome escape from the blistering hot summer day down in the valley.

The partnership of Utah Valley University and Sundance Mountain Resort has been a successful one. With successful productions like Oklahoma! and Mamma Mia in recent years, it’s no surprise that patrons continue to return to the resort to see quality theater. And while there are many musicals to choose from, it makes perfect sense that they would bring back another production of The Sound of Music. The audience called for it, and I couldn’t have been happier to attend the Saturday Evening performance on Jul 22, 2023.

July 17, 2023

Old Crow Medicine Show

Old Crow Medicine Show•July 13, 2023•Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Old Crow Medicine Show opened the 2023 Deer Valley Concert Series at the Snow Park Outdoor Concert Series a the Deer Valley Resort in Park City on July 13, 2023. It was a perfect evening to have the Americana band in Park City. It was a very hot day in the Salt Lake and Utah valleys. Park City is always a great place to escape to when it gets too hot. It’s always cooler. The night air was crisp, but the music on stage was as hot as the day was. Last year the concert series had a limited run so I was unable to make it to a show last year. The moment I parked my car and began walking to the venue, I knew as I took in the beautiful scenery that it was so good to be back.

July 17, 2023

Blues Traveler & Big Head Todd and The Monsters

Blues Traveler•Big Head Todd and The Monsters•July 11, 2023•Red Butte Garden

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

July 11th was a night to remember for Salt Lake City concertgoers. Blues Traveler and Big Head Todd and The Monsters rocked the Red Butte Garden. Fans of both bands were in for a treat. The two acts delivered an unforgettable show that had the crowd on its feet. From the opening notes of Big Head Todd’s set to the final encore of Blues Traveler’s, the evening was a high-energy show.

July 13, 2023

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit•Deer Tick•July 8, 2023• Red Butte Garden

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

There are some nights where an evening, and a venue match an artist just perfectly. Jul 8, 2023 at Red Butte Garden the great Jason Isbell and his incredible band the 400 Unit stopped by Salt Lake City on what was a quintessential Utah summer evening. Every so often Isbell comes to Utah and plays another venue. Some of them are venues I typically like. But when a venue like Red Butte pairs this well, it’s clear that he should never play any other venue when he comes to Utah.

On this tour Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit would be featuring their recently released album Weathervanes. So much so that they played eleven of the thirteen songs on the album. They mixed in a number of crowd favorites and hit singles that brought together both audience and artists. I had been anticipating this concert as one of my “Must See” concerts since it was announced. It did not disappoint.