Utah Concert Archives - Page 8 of 34

February 1, 2023

Jessica Vosk

Broadway Star Jessica Vosk• January 25, 2022• Noorda Center

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Emily Muñoz

Jessica Vosk is a singer and actress best known for starring in the role of Elphaba, the lead in Wicked both on Broadway and on the show’s national tour. She has also performed on Broadway in The Bridges of Madison County, Finding Neverland, and the 2015 revival of Fiddler on the Roof. Vosk has also performed concerts in some of the most famous venues across the country including New York City’s famous Lincoln Center and sold out the iconic Carnegie Hall. So having Jessica Vosk here in Utah at the Noorda Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Utah Valley University was a real honor.

November 7, 2022

Lizzo

Lizzo w/ Latto• November 2, 2022• Vivint Arena

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

One of my favorite things about covering concerts is getting the opportunity to see an artist before they skyrocket into stardom. Some I’ve had the chance to see as early as Kilby Court. Others I’ve seen somewhere in the midst of their assent. One of my least favorite things is to just miss an artist before they hit that launch pad and I’m just like everyone else, seeing them in the stratosphere trying to claim I knew about them earlier but without proof. Such is my experience with Lizzo.

October 21, 2022

Conan Gray

Conan Gray w/ Baby Queen• October 17, 2022• The Union

Reviewed and Photographed by Tomo Crestani

The Union had a completely sold out show on Monday, October 17th when they hosted Conan Gray. Conan has been making his mark on the music industry for quite some time but has recently been picking up even more attention with the release of a new album. His tour and new album share the title Superache. He brought along Baby Queen to support him on this tour. Baby Queen is a newer artist from England that I hadn’t heard of before the show. She was a perfect fit to open for Conan.

September 1, 2022

The Killers

The Killers w/ Johnny Marr• August 30, 2022• Vivint Arena

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by the great Rob Loud

Rocker, Joan Jett once said, “No one knows what anticipation is anymore. Everything is so immediate.” I’m one who tends to generally agree with the Rock N Roll Hall of Famer. However, I might argue that for a concert going fanatic such as myself that these last few years have been filled with nothing but anticipation. Shows announced in 2019 and 2020 were postponed and rescheduled only to be postponed and rescheduled again. There was no concert I’ve been anticipating more than The Killers Imploding the Mirage Tour. Fans of The Killers have been anticipating this concert for almost three years.

Not only that but The Killers hadn’t played Utah since 2018. That was the night Brandon Flowers had the second greatest flu performance inside Vivint Arena (Delta Center). Michael Jordan being the first in the 1998 NBA Finals vs The Jazz. It’s a toss up really because Brandon Flowers was pretty special that night in 2018.

August 31, 2022

UCR INTERVIEW: Nick Wold of DREAMERS

Los Angeles-via-Brooklyn band DREAMERS (Nick Wold and Nelson) have shared stages with the likes of X Ambassadors, The 1975, Bleachers, Atlas Genius, Catfish and The Bottlemen, and Weezer while garnering coverage from Fader, Entertainment Weekly and Paste, among others, and performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live. In 2016, the band released their debut full-length album This Album Does Not Exist, featuring the top 10 Alternative radio hit, the electro-sprinkled pop gem “Sweet Disaster.” They just released their new single, “Robbery” and will be performing at The Complex with The Score on August 31!

We had the opportunity to chat with vocalist, Nick Wold yesterday. We talked about touring after the pandemic, songwriting, his first concert, and more! Enjoy!

Interviewed by Kevin Rolfe

UCR: Nick, how are you doing? It’s good to talk to you. So catch me up a little. How far into this tour are you?

Nick Wold: We’re kind of in the first leg I think. We’ve done like five shows out of 20. And yeah, we’re trucking because it’s our first tour back since the pandemic since the world ended.

UCR: Yeah. So how does that feel? It’s gotta be the craziest feeling to have that huge break and then be in front of people. In a way, does it feel like a new experience again or like an “old hat” kind of thing?

July 30, 2022

Josh Groban

Josh Groban Preservation Hall Jazz Band & Eleri Ward• July 27, 2022• Vivint Arena

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Utah loves Josh Groban. He could easily do a concert in Utah every year and it would be well attended. In some ways, it feels like a homecoming concert when Groban stops here on his tours. I’m sure that is in part, due to him recording his Awake concert film right here in Salt Lake City at the very same venue where we saw him on July 27, 2022. To my knowledge, he has no ties to this state. It just feels like there is a real connection between Utah and Josh. Groban’s stop on his Harmony Tour was no exception. The lineup was stacked with talent from newcomer Eleri Ward to the really fun Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Josh Groban. The night never lacked for beautiful moments of music.

July 24, 2022

The Lumineers

The Lumineers w/ Gregory Alan Isakov & Daniel Rodrigez• July 20, 2022• Maverik Center

Reviewed and Photographed by Alisha Gregson

Two and a half years ago, thousands of local Lumineers fans purchased their concert tickets and were looking forward to seeing the impressive indie folk band perform live. After being postponed for 2 years due to the Covid 19 pandemic, The Lumineers finally had the opportunity to bring their Brightside Tour to Salt Lake City. On July 20th, the band played a fantastic show to a sold-out audience at the Maverick Center. As a fan myself, I felt overwhelmed with excitement as I arrived at the Venue. I had the opportunity to talk with a few other concertgoers, who were eager for the night to start. One couple told me how they had become Lumineers fans after seeing them open for U2 at a concert in 2017. While a couple of young girls mentioned they had been fans since middle school, and couldn’t believe they were finally at the concert.

July 8, 2022

UCR INTERVIEW: Lawrence Gowan of Styx

Legendary and multi-Platinum rockers Styx have hit the road with their friends REO Speedwagon on their Live and UnZoomed Tour. They’ll be joined by special guests, Loverboy. The tour stops off at USANA Amphitheatre on Saturday, July 9. We had the opportunity to catch up with Vocalist and Keyboardist, Lawrence Gowan a few weeks back. To purchase tickets to the Live and UnZoomed show click here. Hope you enjoy our conversation!

Interviewed by Kevin Rolfe

STYX L/R: Chuck Panozzo, Ricky Phillips, Todd Sucherman, Tommy Shaw, James “J.Y.” Young and Lawrence Gowan. Portrait shoot at Macon City Auditorium on October 4, 2014 in Macon, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for STYX)

UCR: As you know, Utah loves having you guys out here. You’re back out on the road with REO Speedwagon. Do you determine by tour who closes the show? Or is it a show by show decision?

July 7, 2022

Chris Issak & Lyle Lovett

Chris Isaak & Lyle Lovett July• 1, 2022• Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Red Butte Garden started July off on a good note with a double headliner show starring Chris Isaak and Lyle Lovett. These two legends could not have picked a better date to come to Utah. The weather was perfect, and everyone was feeling good heading into the Independence Day weekend. I’ve seen Chris Isaak in concert once. I was invited last minute and was beyond impressed with the concert. I’ve always wanted to see him again. I had never seen Lyle Lovett in concert before this show. So for me personally, this was a perfect mix of anticipation to see someone I had enjoyed before, and the anticipation of seeing someone I had been wanting to see.

I chatted with a few people before the show and I asked them if they had seen either artist before. They had seen both and mentioned that they never pass up the opportunity to see them whenever they come to Utah. They assured me that I was in for a good night.

July 6, 2022

Howard Jones

Howard Jones w/ Midge Ure• June 28, 2022• Red Butte Garden

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

It was a night for 80s icons at Red Butte Garden Amphitheater. Legendary synth-pop star, Howard Jones played to an adoring sold out audience on a beautiful Tuesday evening in Salt Lake City. He was joined by the “Voice of Ultravox”, Midge Ure. An icon in his own right. Howard Jones has such a strong fanbase here in Utah. He’s played here so many times over the years and people come back every time he tours through. I remember one year he was a support act for Barenaked Ladies. He added his own solo date the next day because there was such a clamoring from his fans to see him in more than a shortened set. He’s also played shows up at Park City’s Egyptian Theater with just him and a piano. Those shows always sell out. There is a connection between Jones and Utah that I can’t totally explain. But it’s there and both parties embrace it.