Trampled By Turtles • May 29, 2025 • Red Butte Garden Amphitheater
Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe
I’m only two shows into the 2025 Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series. So far, this concert series has not disappointed. Cheap Trick started things off on a chilly but rockin’ night. Trampled By Turtles showed up on a beautiful evening and delighted their fans with a setlist perfectly crafted for an evening at Red Butte Garden. I think this summer at the garden is going to be another good one!
Trampled By Turtles, AKA quite possibly my favorite band name ever, is a modern-day Bluegrass band. They hold true to the many traditions of Bluegrass while also bringing the music fresh into this century. I’ve heard them categorized as, “Alternative Bluegrass”. But really, I just categorize them as, GOOD. They are one of my favorite bands to see live.
I recall seeing them for the first time co-headlining with Lord Huron at The Complex back in 2016 before Utah Concert Review was even an official publication. That was the first time I heard “Alone”. It would be a song I’d be listening to over and over. I enjoyed them then, and have made it a point to see them whenever they come to town. They’ve been good every time. But sometimes, a venue and a band match so well together that it enhances the performance that much more. That was the case with Trampled By Turtles at Red Butte Garden. It was a perfect match. It came as no surprise when lead vocalist, Dave Simonett expressed that this was his favorite time ever playing Utah.
The six men that makeup Trampled By Turtles walked out and took their places in a straight line across the stage. They opened with “Never Let Me Down” off of their 2024 EP Always Here. It was a perfect song to open with. It allowed everyone to ease into the night and into the music. That was followed by “Walt Whitman”. Hopefully, everyone was settled in because we were off and running with this song. Heads were bobbing and I could tell people were so happy to be at Red Butte Garden. During this song, I was making my way through the crowd taking photos of the band. People were so fun to watch.
It’s almost impossible to decide who has the most talent in this group. I don’t know if anyone is even wondering that. But as I shot each musician I would watch what they were doing and I grew increasingly impressed with their musicianship. Saying these men are talented doesn’t do their gifts justice. If one of these men stands out, I’d have to say Ryan Young on fiddle would be the one. He mesmerized the audience more than once with his solos.
It’s almost impossible to decide who has the most talent in this group. I don’t know if anyone is even wondering that. But as I shot each musician I would watch what they were doing and I grew increasingly impressed with their musicianship. Saying these men are talented doesn’t do their gifts justice. If one of these men stands out, I’d have to say Ryan Young on fiddle would be the one. He mesmerized the audience more than once with his solos.
Speaking of “Alone”, this song once again hit me like a ton of bricks. The sun had set, the moon was shining above us, and we were all there in the garden with this song. I love how much it draws you in and pushes you as the tempo picks up. I’ll never tire of hearing this song. It seemed by the reaction and interaction of the audience that they won’t either. Trampled By Turtles performed this song with so much authenticity. It’s a song that must be heard live.
I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for a good cover song. I’m all in for a great one. And TBT gave us two jaw-dropping unexpected covers. First up was a classic from The Rolling Stones, “Wild Horses”. I didn’t see this one coming. It fit the rest of their repertoire so well. It almost sounded like an original. The second was even more surprising. It shouldn’t have been because they recorded it on their 2019 EP, Sigourney Fever. Even with that recording, I didn’t expect to hear Trampled By Turtles perform Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees”. But sure enough, it happened. I thought it was such an original and well-done cover.
Before TBT started “Fake Plastic Trees”, Dave Simonett, in one of his rare addresses to the audience, told us that the band was so “Honored to be playing in front you people. Thank you Very much. You’ve been so kind. This is my favorite time I’ve ever had in Salt Lake City. We’ve been here a bunch!” The band then performed their Radiohead cover. The audience was so honed into the performance. As the breeze began to blow through the amphitheater people began to huggle together and sway during the song. When the thunderous applause finally died down, Simonett apologized to Radiohead, hoping they did the song justice. You know what I’m going to say. And you’d be right. It was excellent. I would hope that Radiodead would feel the same.
Trampled By Turtles played for two full hours! The set flew by and when they left the stage for the encore break I was surprised we were at that point in the show. I was just so drawn in with this performance. There are no frills. No long stories. Just music. The rest is fun sometimes. But breaking it down to just the songs being performed was more than enough in this show. The night ended with “Wait So Long”. Possibly TBT’s biggest song, and definitely a crowd favorite. It blows me away that a band with no drummer can get a crowd moving the way they do. People were really getting into it. I’m always so grateful when Trampled By Turtles stops and visits us. I hope they always continue to stop by.