The Format • Phantom Planet • April 11, 2026 • The Union Events Center
Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe
The indie rock revival has brought plenty of beloved bands back to the stage in recent years, but few reunions have felt as genuinely emotional and rewarding as seeing The Format return to Salt Lake City for a packed night at The Union Event Center. From the moment fans began filling The Union long before showtime, it was clear this wasn’t just another stop on the Boycott Heaven Tour. For many in attendance, this concert felt deeply personal. It was the soundtrack to high school memories, late-night drives, heartbreaks, and the kind of nostalgia that only certain bands can create.
Fans of The Format have been patient. Like many bands, the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in The Format’s attempt at a return. A tour had been announced, postponed, rescheduled, postponed, and ultimately canceled. So I’m sure you can imagine the anticipation for this tour and this particular concert.
Saturdays In The Park
Before any of the high-energy sing-alongs and dancing, The Format played an acoustic set at Warm Springs Park in Salt Lake City as part of their “Saturdays In The Park”. This event invites local organizations to set up and share with the community what they’re about, what their causes are, and what they stand for. It’s a great cause and such a good idea.
The Union
The atmosphere inside the venue carried an unmistakable sense of anticipation. Conversations echoed through the crowd about favorite songs, old albums, and how long fans had waited to hear these tracks performed live again. The Union Event Center proved to be the perfect setting for a band like The Format. The intimate environment created a strong connection between performer and audience, making the evening feel less like a large concert and more like a shared experience among friends.
Phantom Planet
Opening acts Phantom Planet and Limbeck helped establish the tone for the night, bringing energetic sets that blended perfectly with the emotional indie rock style of the headliners.
As I moved about The Union, I saw a lot of Phantom Planet shirts. A bunch of fans mentioned that they were there specifically to see Phantom Planet. I think this was the first time I had seen Phantom Planet. They were a great support band. I thought they sounded great, and their fans made a difference in the energy of the room. As you might expect, the entire crowd perked up and cheered loudly for the band’s most famous track, the song that became the theme song of the TV show, “The OC”, “California.” People sang along and brought a communal vibe to The Union.
The Format
By the time The Format came on, the crowd was fully energized. Cheers erupted immediately as Nate Ruess and Sam Means walked onto the stage. There was a different level of excitement in The Union. The long wait was finally over. After nearly two decades, The Format was back in Utah!
The chemistry between the band members was undeniable. Years may have passed since The Format originally built their following, but the performance showed no signs of fading energy or passion. The songs sounded polished while still holding onto the raw emotion and charm that made fans fall in love with the band in the first place.
Ruess remains a captivating frontman, balancing humor, vulnerability, and theatrical energy throughout the evening. His vocals soared effortlessly, delivering both the softer emotional moments and the explosive choruses that the audience eagerly sang back to him. Ruess’ vocal range is even more impressive in person. His pipes have not aged a bit. While this was my first time seeing The Format, I did have the opportunity to see Nate Ruess perform when he was in the band fun. back in 2012 and 2013. He sounded amazing then, and he sounded every bit as strong on this night.
Meanwhile, Means provided a calm and steady presence that balanced the performance beautifully. Together, the duo demonstrated why The Format’s songwriting has remained so beloved for so many years. Their music blends catchy melodies with emotional honesty in a way that still feels fresh and relatable today.
The crowd response throughout the night became one of the most memorable parts of the show. Fans sang nearly every lyric word for word, turning the venue into one giant choir. Songs from “Interventions + Lullabies” and “Dog Problems” sparked especially loud reactions, with many audience members visibly emotional as they relived music that clearly carried deep personal meaning.
What made the evening especially compelling was the balance between nostalgia and renewal. While longtime fans were thrilled to hear classic material live once again, the band also seemed to enjoy themselves when The Format performed songs from their latest release, Boycott Heaven. Rather than feeling like a simple reunion, the concert felt authentic and heartfelt. There was a sense that The Format genuinely appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with both the music and the fans who never stopped supporting them.
Visually, the show kept things relatively simple, allowing the music itself to remain the centerpiece. Warm lighting and understated stage production complemented the emotional tone of the performance without becoming distracting. The venue’s intimate layout also helped create strong acoustics and clear sightlines, making the experience feel immersive no matter where someone stood in the crowd.
The Format came back for their encore and performed “Hey Jealousy” from fellow Arizona band, Gin Blossoms. This song is a personal favorite, so this was a very pleasant surprise. The Format performed this song well and made it their own.
By the time the encore wrapped up and the final notes faded away, the audience clearly was not ready for the night to end. Fans lingered afterward, talking excitedly about favorite songs and memorable moments as they slowly filtered out into the Salt Lake night.
The Format’s concert at The Union Event Center became more than just a reunion performance. It served as a reminder of how deeply music can connect people across different stages of life. The band delivered a performance filled with heart, nostalgia, and renewed passion, proving their music still resonates just as powerfully today. For longtime fans, it was everything they could have hoped for. For newer listeners, it was an unforgettable introduction to a band whose emotional honesty and infectious melodies continue to leave a lasting impression.
