Nickel Creek and Andrew Bird

Nickel Creek and Andrew Bird Sandy Amphitheater

Nickel Creek • Andrew Bird • July 10, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

There is something special about seeing a Bluegrass band in an outdoor amphitheater on a summer’s night.  Some might even say that this is the only way you should see a Bluegrass or Americana band.  I can’t say I disagree.  I’ve seen some of these shows indoors and while it is still awesome, I do prefer the outdoor shows.  There’s something in the music that calls for a setting sun, a warm temperature, and a cold drink.  These were the conditions for Nickel Creek and Andrew Bird at Sandy Amphitheater.  The crowd made sure to arrive early so when I walked into Sandy Amp the venue was pretty much completely full already.

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Norah Jones

Norah Jones • Hurray For The Riff Raff • July 25, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

We always love it when Norah Jones comes to town. Whenever the announcement of her concert date is made, there seems to be a lot of excitement online followed by a quick sellout no matter what venue she performs.  I was excited when I heard she would be playing at the Sandy Amphitheater.  This venue has become one of my favorite summertime locations.  It seemed like the perfect place to spend a Summer evening listening to one of the greatest vocalists alive.  Utah Concert Review had the opportunity to cover Norah Jones at Sandy Amphitheater back in 2019.  I unfortunately was unable to attend that night, so this show was highly anticipated by me.  I wasn’t going to miss it this time.

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The Decemberists

The Decemberists

The Decemberists • July 24, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Lily Rutherford

Photo Credit: Lily Rutherford

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. 

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SLC Twilight: Watchhouse

Watchhouse • Branson Anderson • July 19, 2024 • Gallivan Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Austin Dayton

This weekend, on July 19th, Americana/Folk Duo Watchhouse made their way into Salt Lake City, Utah to headline the third weekend of the 37th Annual Twilight concert series. The Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based couple, comprised of Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz, found themselves surrounded by high-rise apartments and office buildings as they took the stage at the downtown-based Gallivan Center. They would go on to deliver a soul-filled set of American and folk-based music that was interwoven with the influence of bluegrass, indie, and hints of alt-rock.  We’ve had the opportunity to cover Watchhouse multiple times over the years. This performance was right up there with all the rest.

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Old Crow Medicine Show

Old Crow Medicine Show • Molly Tuttle • June 20, 2024 • Sandy Amphitheater

Reviewed by: Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by: Alisha Gregson

Photo Credit: Alisha Gregson

It felt very fitting to be at an outdoor concert on the evening of the Summer Solstice.  But not just any outdoor concert. That alone would have been great.  But Old Crow Medicine show performing at the Sandy Amphitheater on the eve of a full Strawberry Moon on the Summer Solstice was an evening of perfection for an avid concertgoer like myself.  Old Crow Medicine Show returned to Utah just shy of a year since their last stop here in July 2023. The band would be celebrating 25 years of their album Jubilee.

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SLC Twilight: Laufey

Laufey • Grace Enger • Anna Beck • June 21, 2024 • Gallivan Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Logan Fang

Photo Credit: Logan Fang

“This is the biggest concert I’ve ever played at in the US.” 

Just eight months ago, Laufey was performing at The Depot in front of a couple hundred fans. Now she’s selling out venues and hosting the largest shows of her career. Her performance at The Gallivan Center on June 21st marked yet another milestone for the Icelandic-Chinese artist who described it as her biggest concert in the US to date.

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Cavetown and Mother Mother

Cavetown • Mother Mother • June 18, 2024 • Granary Live

Reviewed and Photographed by Mike Ferguson

The atmosphere at Granary Live in Salt Lake City was buzzing with excitement on the evening of Tuesday, June 18th as music enthusiasts gathered for a double feature showcasing performances by Mother Mother and Cavetown. The venue, known for its vibe, provided the ideal setting for an event that promised a mix of high-energy alternative rock and soulful indie folk tunes.

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Sarah McLachlan

Sarah McLachlan • Feist • June 6, 2024 • Utah First Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

It was good to be back at Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre (Formerly USANA Ampitheatre).  The night before we were in attendance for the Utah return of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  And while the vibe was completely different, the excitement level was comparable.  The great Sarah McLachlan brought her Fumbling Towards Ecstacy 30th Anniversary Tour to Utah and people were in a celebratory mood. The majority of the crowd arrived early to hang out, grab a bite or a drink, and socialize.  Fans were ready for a night of great music with some incredible voices.

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Luke Combs

Luke Combs • May 8, 2024 • Rice – Eccles Stadium

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

This might have been the biggest concert event of the 2024 summer.  If anything it got the Utah concert summer concert season off to a rousing start! I like to think of this like the Daytona 500.  It’s NASCAR’s biggest event. But unlike the Super Bowl, it’s the first race in the season. Country Music megastar, Luke Combs brought his Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour to Utah for a two-night residency at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the campus of the University of Utah.  The stadium was jam-packed with Country Music fans on both nights.  I was fortunate to attend night two on Saturday, June 8.

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Danny Lux

Danny Lux • Dariell Cano • June 15, 2024 • The Complex

Reviewed and Photographed by Logan Fang

Danny Lux made his first trip to The Complex last Friday on the latest stop of his international tour, Tour of Lux. The Chicano artist celebrates the release of his fifth studio album EVOLUXION, joined by fellow Latin artist Dariell Cano. That night, The Complex housed a sizable audience made up mostly of Latine and Spanish-speaking fans dressed in Danny’s signature tour merch. Before the show began, eager fans searched for glimpses of performers in the wings and then cheered to beckon them on stage. The excitement in the crowd was palpable.

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