Music
Crystal Castles with HEALTH and Kontravoid @ In The Venue...
People lost their shit when Crystal Castles came out. It was like Beatlemania, but instead of young innocent girls, it was a bunch of dudes who looked like they were in a shitty Cold Cave cover band. As soon as the first song began it was clear who was the star of the show. … read more
Lord Huron and Night Moves @ Kilby Court 10.19.12
With sounds similar enough to make sense of them touring together, Night Moves and Lord Huron displayed great differences in what were both memorable performances. For Night Moves, it was a fun and slightly awkward night of getting to know their Salt Lake fans. For Lord Huron, it was a night of redemption. … read more
The xx @ The Complex 10.16 with 2:54
The xx have been a consistent favorite on the ol’ iPod since approximately 2008, when I happened upon their video for “VCR,” which at the time had a meager amount of views. Since then, they have exploded ferociously into the hip music hemisphere and when it became public knowledge that they would be playing here in Salt Lake, I couldn’t go anywhere in the city without hearing their name dropped. … read more
Flying Lotus @ Urban Lounge 10.19 with Teebs, Jeremiah Jae
It was another slightly bitter cold night in Salt Lake City, winter was settling in and we are just getting used to it. The energy in the air hinted that there was something special happening tonight, and that something special was Flying Lotus. … read more
Friends @ Urban Lounge with SSION, House of Ladosha
Brooklyn friends SSION, House of Ladosha and Friends crossed tour paths Wednesday night and treated Salt Lake to a wild night of electrifying pop music. Brooklyn has been the center of music culture for over a decade, and NYC always remains at the top of its game by constantly mutating and attracting fresh musicians and artists from across the land. … read more
Dinosaur Jr @ Urban Lounge w/ Shearwater 10.14.12
Cheers announce J, Lou and Murph approaching the stage. They resemble the picture in Our Band Could Be Your Life. They are Dinosaur Jr. J slides like a newborn snail on a predetermined track, wispy strands of a silvery mane undulating with each slinking step. He removes his horn-rimmed glasses, lifts a Fender Jaguar from its stand and delicately summons a jangly wail from it. … read more
Brother Ali Featuring Blank Tape Beloved @ Urban Lounge 10.15...
Ali doesn’t waste time between songs giving the audience instructions on what direction their hands should wave––he transitions from song to song flawlessly. The absence of the usual bullshit chitchat between songs creates and maintains that line of awe and respect between the audience and the performer, making Ali’s stage presence even more reverent. … read more
The Hood Internet @ Urban Lounge 10.11 with Body Language,...
My main reason for attending the show, Hood Internet took the stage minus member Steve Reidell and reminded me why I love them. They revealed a sick light set up behind the DJ table that reminded me of the child’s game Star Brite, especially with Urban Lounge completely blacked out. … read more
Takács Quartet @ Libby Gardner Hall 10.11.12
The Libby Gardner Hall was definitely a proper venue: While the Takács Quartet still had plenty of room to spare on the stage, their performance was so rich with spirit and animation that it never overwhelmed. The acoustics of the space allowed audience members sitting anywhere to be able to hear just as well as if you were seated in the front row, which doubtlessly contributed to the intimacy that comes along with a chamber music performance. … read more
Diego’s Umbrella, Vokab Company @ State Room 10.09
I was lubed up just enough for San Francisco gem Diego’s Umbrella. Bejeweled gloves ablaze under the disco ball, Vaughn Lindstrom lifted his arms toward the ceiling in a slow arc. Benjamin Leon took his place at the makeshift snare set, looking severe, and Jake Wood tromped over to the full drum-set, also intimidating. … read more