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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Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers • June 5, 2024 • Utah First Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

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.) 

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Madison Beer

Madison Beer • UPSAHL • June 4, 2024 • The Complex

Reviewed and Photographed by Mike Ferguson

Tuesday, June 4th, marked a night to remember at The Complex in SLC, UT, as music enthusiasts gathered in anticipation of a double-bill concert featuring the talented Madison Beer and the dynamic Upsahl. The venue was abuzz with excitement, with eager fans filling every inch of available space, signaling a near sell-out show.

Upsahl

Photo Credit: Mike Ferguson

Opening the evening was Upsahl, a rising star whose magnetic presence and infectious energy immediately captured the attention of the audience. With a setlist that seamlessly blended catchy hooks, introspective lyrics, and pulsating rhythms, Upsahl commanded the stage with confidence and flair.

From the moment she stepped into the spotlight, Upsahl exuded a raw and unbridled passion for her craft, channeling her emotions into each note and lyric. Tracks like “Drugs” and “People I Don’t Like” showcased her knack for crafting anthemic pop-rock tunes with a rebellious edge, while introspective ballads like “Fine” allowed her to showcase the depth and vulnerability of her songwriting.

But perhaps the most captivating aspect of Upsahl’s performance was her infectious charisma and magnetic stage presence. Whether she was dancing with abandon, engaging in playful banter with the crowd, or delivering powerhouse vocals that reverberated through the venue, Upsahl held the audience in the palm of her hand, leaving them hungry for more.

As her set drew to a close, the cheers and applause that erupted from the crowd served as a testament to Upsahl’s undeniable talent and star power. For 45 electrifying minutes, she had set the stage on fire, leaving an indelible mark on all who were fortunate enough to bear witness to her captivating performance.

As the lights dimmed and the anticipation reached a fever pitch, it was clear that the stage had been set for an unforgettable night of music. And with Madison Beer poised to take the stage, the energy in the room was palpable, signaling that the best was yet to come.

Madison Beer

Photo Credit: Mike Ferguson

From the instant she emerged, clad in an ensemble that radiated both style and sophistication, it was evident that the audience was in for a treat. With a setlist spanning her repertoire of hits and fan favorites, Madison’s performance was nothing short of spectacular.

Photo Credit: Mike Ferguson

For nearly 90 minutes, Madison held the audience in the palm of her hand, effortlessly transitioning between heart-wrenching ballads and high-energy anthems. Her powerhouse vocals soared through the venue, sending shivers down the spines of all who were fortunate enough to bear witness. Each song was accompanied by mesmerizing visuals and choreography, further enhancing the immersive experience for concert attendees.

But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Madison’s performance was her undeniable connection with her fans. As she interacted with the crowd, sharing personal anecdotes and words of encouragement, it was clear that she genuinely valued the support of her dedicated fanbase. This sincerity only served to deepen the emotional resonance of her music, forging an unbreakable bond between artist and audience.

By the time Madison took her final bow, the energy in the room was electric, reverberating with the echoes of a truly unforgettable performance. As concertgoers spilled out into the night, their hearts full and spirits lifted, it was evident that they had borne witness to something truly special. Madison Beer and Upsahl had not only delivered a concert, but an experience—one that would linger in the memories of all who were lucky enough to be a part of it.

Photo Credit: Mike Ferguson

Melanie Martinez

Melanie Martinez • Men I Trust • May 18, 2024 • Delta Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Melanie Martinez is a musical force that cannot be stopped.  It seems with each tour she gets bigger and bigger.  From being a contestant on season 3 of the acclaimed singing show, The Voice to selling out major arenas on her recent Trilogy Tour, Martinez is a force to be reconned with.  I had the opportunity to see Melanie on her last stop in Utah on her Portals Tour at the Sandy Amphitheater.  I was impressed with her fanbase then, but that was nothing compared to what I saw inside the Delta Center on May 18.  The arena was filled with devoted fans dressed up as nymphs, fairies, and baby dolls.  Glitter and sparkles were everywhere.  Outside of a Taylor Swift Concert, I haven’t seen so many fans dressed up.

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Kilby Block Party 5

Kilby Block Party • May 10-12, 2024 • Utah State Fairgrounds

Reviewed and Photographed by Logan Fang

Kilby Court Block Party: Now A Salt Lake City Tradition

This May, local concertgoers and music lovers from afar returned to the Salt Lake fairgrounds for the fifth iteration of the Kilby Block Party. This year’s music festival celebrates the 25th year of its namesake, Kilby Court. For the past five years, Kilby has brought a countless number of esteemed music icons to the festival stage, including the likes of indie titans Phoebe Bridgers, Steve Lacy, and The Strokes. As the festival continues to curate a dazzling array of artists, this year’s lineup featured performances spanning several eras of indie-rock.

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Al Jardine & His Endless Summer Band

Al Jardine & His Endless Summer Band • May 25, 2024 • Scera Shell Outdoor Theater

Reviewed and Photographed by Josilyn Wakkuri Lybbert

On May 25, 2024, The Music of The Beach Boys brought by Al Jardine, Carnie and Wendy Wilson, and Matt Jardine was the kickoff show for the season for Scera Shell Outdoor Theater in Orem! 

It was my first time at this venue. I was so impressed with the kindness of the staff there. My husband was equally as impressed with their reasonable concession prices! Venue workers all adorned leis. There was a vintage Volkswagen Beetle with surfboards, and beach balls were scattered throughout the area. This made for a perfect setting to welcome one of the founding members of The Beach Boys and many of his friends and family who all played their own role in The Beach Boys in different seasons of the iconic, legendary band!

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Taylor Acorn

Taylor Acorn • World’s First Cinema • April 27, 2024 • Soundewell

Reviewed and Photographed by Logan Fang

On April 27th, Salt Lake City had the pleasure of welcoming Pennsylvannia-native Taylor Acorn to the Soundwell stage where she played for a sold-out audience. The venue brimmed with excitement as people overflowed into nearly every corner of the building. Among the concertgoers were several dedicated young fans watching their first live concert with posters in hand. With catchy hooks and intoxicating melodies, it’s easy to see why Acorn’s music has such an appeal to music enthusiasts of all ages. Well before the concert even began a staggering line was already congregating to purchase some of her hottest tour merch, including what seemed to be a favorite—some signed polaroids taken prior to the show. Taylor’s Good Enough tour was joined by LA-based band World’s First Cinema who opened the night with a pop-rock performance of their own. 

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Peter Frampton

Peter Frampton • April 9, 2024 • Eccles Theater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Last summer Peter Frampton was scheduled to play a show at the Sandy Amphitheater.  I strolled up to the venue about 20 minutes before showtime to find a long line outside.  That was pretty unusual for shows that I’ve been to in the past at Sandy Amp so I wondered what the situation was.  I was fortunate enough to surpass the line with my media credentials and go inside the venue to try and get the inside scoop. What I discovered was that there would be no Frampton concert due to some unforeseen technical issues.  My hope was that the show would be rescheduled, but that doesn’t always happen.  I wondered if I missed my chance to see Peter Frampton live.

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LANY

LANY • Hazlett • Conor Burns • March 9, 2024 • Delta Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

On Saturday, March 9th, multi-platinum pop-rock band LANY, brought their A Beautiful Blur tour to The Delta Center in the heart of Salt Lake City. The Los Angeles-based band consists of lead vocalist Paul Jason Klein and drummer Jake Clifford Gross. The duo performed an incredible and non-stop entertaining show to a packed house. The band made it clear that their top priority was their fans. Although it was LANY on stage, they kept the crowd in the spotlight all night. The way Klein interacted with the audience was above and beyond what I typically see at concerts, and it brought an exciting energy to the show. I am convinced that the connection between the band and its fans is a big reason they have such a loyal following. 

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