Show Reviews
Melt-Banana @ Urban Lounge 10.20 with Baby Gurl, Kinski
Melt-Banana uses technology, from guitar effects to synthesized drum tracks, in such a way that you aren’t aware of it as technology. Rock n’ roll was originally a live medium, and Onuki’s stage presence is riveting as she wields the game controller, using it to control the frenetic rhythms of the music, as stage prop, as mere toy, or all three? This is the music of the future, I thought as I watched her—technology becoming part of the body, almost. … read more
King Khan and the Shrines @ Urban Lounge 10.18 with...
In no time at all, Urban Lounge has transformed into the basement of the Delta’s toga party in the basement of Animal House. Beer is flying, I’m pretty sure there’s some gyrating going on, and there is someone hanging like a monkey from the rafters. This is like the best wedding reception anyone’s ever been to, after the bride and groom have gone and only the wedding band and drunk uncles remain. … read more
Red Fang, Gaytheist, Helms Alee @ Urban Lounge 10.15
Red Fang walked onstage, dressed in their finest tuxedo T-shirts, the occasion being the release date of their new album, Whales & Leeches. These guys look like the epitome of metal heads: Everyone has tattoos, long hair and glorious beards. … read more
Untitled: Red Spectral, Jesse Walker, Mi5terE @ Salt Haus 10.11
Untitled’s debut, six-hour event, produced by Canvas and Unified Chaos, was a night filled with some of the hardest minimal house and techno sounds provided by some local talent you need to keep on your radar. … read more
Anberlin, The Maine, Lydia, From Indian Lakes @ In The...
Anberlin performed to a full house at In The Venue in Salt Lake City on Oct. 15. The performance was part of a co-headlining tour with The Maine, with tour support by Lydia and From Indian Lakes. Anberlin was here on June 28 for their acoustic tour, and commanded a very healthy crowd. How many bands can manage to return three and a half months later to find an equally robust crowd waiting for them again? … read more
Zeds Dead @ The Great Saltair 10.12 with Krewella and...
Josie has an afro with a mind of its own, bouncing up and down as she tells the crowd to jump. Samples of “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio and “Get Low” by Lil Jon get the crowd hyped in between drops. As Candyland end their set, I start thinking to myself, “Why did I ever stop going to these?” … read more
Phantogram @ The Depot 10.13 with Future Islands
You want to get lost in Sarah’s sultry and enchanting voice, but Josh Carter’s guitar demands enough attention that you end up with an ideal dyad. “Running From The Cops” makes you want to cut up some carpet with its dirty bass, while “Turn It Off” wraps itself around you like smoke from a fire. If you close your eyes, they’ll launch you somewhere into space and you’ll be in no hurry to get back. … read more
Judith Hill @ Energy Solutions Arena 10.11 with Josh Groban
It was a Friday night, and while everyone in Salt Lake City of my demographic was preparing to spend the night out dancing at Urban or sipping cocktails at Bodega, I was headed to the long lines that branched out from the entrances to the Energy Solutions Arena—with my mom—to see Josh Groban. … read more
Krewella @ The Great Saltair 10.12 with Zeds Dead, Paper...
All in all, Krewella impressed me (and obviously the few thousand other concert goers) with a very well thought out show that proves the group is on a fast track to huge success. … read more
Austin City Limits: The Perfect Fall Music Getaway
In the landscape of massive American music festivals, it makes sense that Austin, Texas—the self-proclaimed “live music capital of the world”—is home to one of the best. … read more