Show Reviews
Rooftop Concert Series @ Central Bank parking terrace 06.07
There is beauty all around. That insipid tune is ringing in my brain as I walk toward the downtown Provo parking structure that doubles as the venue for their Rooftop Concert Series. Why? Because everything about the early Summer night in Provo is so damn beautiful. The weather is a perfect 75 degrees, with a light breeze and clear skies. The sunset, with all of its oranges and purples, falling behind the downtown Marriott and into Utah Lake. The massive mountains are the stage’s backdrop. The sweet smells waft from the WaffleLuv truck. And the people … Oh God, the people of Provo. Every single one is more beautiful than the last. … read more
Rogue Wave @ Urban Lounge 06.12 with Koala Temple
As Rogue explained to the audience, Salt Lake City was their first stop on the tour. Their time off left their sound a bit tarnished, but they soon shook the dust off and started shining as bright as the many colorful lights around them—the overall sound improved immensely as they shuffled and grooved through the first few songs. … read more
The Flobots @ Kilby 05.15
Salt Lake City was ground zero for a flobots invasion on Wednesday, May 15. Best known for “Handlebars,” the unconventional Flobots brought their brand of hip hop with a conscience to Kilby Court and a packed house. … read more
Cotton Jones @ George’s Living Room 06.11
Giving the Urban Lounge a little competition, venue tenant George Coleman for one night only led strangers into his humble abode. … read more
Something Wicked This Way Came: The Dark Arts Festival @...
Celebrating its 12th anniversary, Utah’s Dark Arts Festival once again brought all manner of spooky, introspective and dark fun to club Area 51 last weekend. … read more
They Might Be Giants @ The Depot 06.08
Leading up to this concert, I heard a lot about how people either dislike or “don’t get” They Might Be Giants, which is a shame because in an era where indie rock is starting to reign supreme again, you’d think there’s be a lot more music-critic love for a band of this caliber coming through town. When it comes right down to it, TMBG know how to put on a show for the fans, not just diehards or people who barely discovered them—everyone, to the point where the audience themselves become part of the performance. So it was no surprise (and a genuine relief to a longtime SLC concert attendee) to see a room full of people excited to be at a show. … read more
Andre Williams and The Goldstars, The Rubes @ The Garage...
Almost exactly a year ago, Andre Williams was in Salt Lake City to play two nights at the Garage on Beck Street. He set the place ablaze—literally. The patio and back section of the bar caught on fire at some point between the first and second nights, but it wasn’t really Williams’ fault. It did result in a frazzled fanbase and a mad scramble to find a proper venue for the second performance. So now, on the anniversary of the fire that almost ended the Garage, and in one of the most brazen acts of tempting fate that I’ve ever witnessed, Andre Williams took the rebuilt patio stage behind the bar and poured out his soul. And the crowd at the Garage was ready to receive him. … read more
Off With Their Heads with Alkaline Trio, Bayside @ In...
In a surprising twist of events on the “Nobody Plays Salt Lake” reality show, Alkaline Trio made this fan undyingly happy by deciding to rock SLC two times in the past four months. The opening band also played Salt Lake City recently, a trio of incredibly talented fellows performing under the name Off With Their Heads. I caught them at Burt’s Tiki Lounge that night and knew that they’d be kicking ass again even if they weren’t headlining this time. They played just as well this time, no nonsense and no bullshit banter, just music. … read more
Make Do And Mend, Sights Sounds, Heartless Breakers @ The...
After the first time I saw Make Do And Mend on tour with Senses Fail, I pledged to myself that I’d never miss a chance to see an MDAM show. I had the opportunity to catch them a second time in Seattle, celebrating the recording of their latest album, Everything You Ever Loved, and have been itching desperately for another chance ever since. When their latest tour was announced, I was one of many who were bummed that they were passing over Salt Lake City this time. I underestimated them, however, being proven wrong shortly after thanks to an announcement for their off date in SLC, coming all the way here just to play a show for us before catching back up with their tourmates for the rest of the haul. Make Do And Mend love SLC, and everyone that showed up proved that we love them, too. … read more
The Casualties @ Salt Haus 05.25
The Casualties walked on stage to a twangy, rockabilly song and immediately went into a jam from For the Punx. To say I was excited would be an understatement. I’ve been a fan of these gents since the age of 15 and I haven’t seen them since 2006. I was never a punk per se (it was too expensive to buy the outfit), but bands like The Casualties, Leftover Crack and The Virus got as much play in my CD player as The Smiths, Tomahawk and Descendents. … read more