Show Reviews
Aesop Rock, Kimya Dawson, DJ Big Wiz, Rob Sonic @...
When I walk into the darkly lit Urban Lounge, I am warmly greeted by not only one bar, but two. They’re expecting a big crowd tonight, and I’m not at all surprised, as Kimya Dawson and Aesop Rock are both huge names in the music industry, but on total opposite sides of the genre pool. … read more
Atmosphere @ The Complex 08.20
Atmosphere’s following has seemingly doubled in Utah since the hip hop duo played at In the Venue in 2009. On August 20, they packed The Complex full as they toured with Evidence and DJ Babu (originally from Dilated Peoples), Blueprint and Prof for their Family Vacation Tour. … read more
A Perfect Circle, Red Bacteria Vacuum @ Kingsbury Hall 08.01
I don’t know why I’m always thrown off seeing a rock show in a venue such as Kingsbury Hall or the Capitol Theatre. Something about the glitz and glamour in contrast to the dingy concert tees and occasional bout of body odor throws my concert sensors off for some reason. … read more
Cerebral Ballzy @ The Complex 07.20
Nothing is worse than a poorly promoted show. It breaks my heart to see a touring band playing to a sparse crowd whose members are more interested in playing Words with Friends on their iPhones than they are with what is happening on stage. … read more
Dead But Dreaming: Rockstar Mayhem Festival 2011
The day started early, but already the summer sun was scorching the thousands of eager fans lined up outside the gates. The Main Stage was still being drilled and hammered together, so I followed the river of black shirts down a grassy knoll and to the huge side field where the Revolver and Jagermeister stages had been set up, one at each end, ringed by the merch booths of every band on the tour. … read more
Vegetable, Handicapitalist, Firebrand, Dick Janitor @ Raunch 06.29
The shows that Raunch Records hosts are consistently solid. The crowd is energetic and colorful, the bands kick ass and proprietor Brad Collins is a friendly, genuine dude. The audience, who had filed in to listen to Handicapitalist, Dick Janitor, Firebrand and Vegetable, didn’t know it at the time, but in the back parking lot of Raunch Records there was a sinister car full of kids who probably deserved a fine stomping. … read more
Kid Cudi @ Saltair 06.27
As we expected, Cudi killed it. Touring with a live band, this time around the music was more personal. Instruments bring a whole new feel to some of his classic tunes, as well as his new shit that is more evolved. … read more
My Dead Ego and The Last Look @ Utah Arts...
My Dead Ego is the stage name of Allison Martin, previously of Cavedoll. Martin is a piano prodigy, who finds herself quite at home on the stage and also shines as vocalist, backed by the band The Last Look. Martin relishes the stage, she exudes confidence and charisma and you’d never know from hearing her that this is her first project wherein she sings. … read more
Tech N9ne, Jay Rock, Krizz Kaliko, Stevie Stone, Kit Calhoun...
I arrived at the All 6’s and 7’s tour at the Great Saltair and immediately felt a little out of place—I wasn’t aware that Tech N9ne’s fanbase is the Bloods. I’m glad I’m not in a gang so I can wear whatever color I want. … read more
Cake @ Red Butte Garden 06.16
Although my musical tastes have shifted and evolved over the past decade or so, listening to Cake was an important part of my young teenage years. At parties, I danced like a maniac, kicking and knocking people’s drinks from their hands to “Stick Shifts and Safety Belts.” … read more