Show Reviews
2014 X96 Toyota Big Ass Show
The 19th edition of X96’s Big Ass Show will unfortunately be remembered as much for the unending deluge as it will for the atmosphere and music. As unfair as that may be, a good portion of the show’s attendees were as interested in finding shelter a good portion of the time as they were in finding a good place to see the next act; the latter being a much easier task, as I imagine that only a fraction of the expected attendees actually showed up. … read more
TRUST @ Urban Lounge 09.25 with Crater
As Alfons grasped the microphone, while bubbling synths ignited all around him, and people lost themselves to the power of dance, he seemed as the Wizard of Oz, operating only to give people a feeling of freedom they couldn’t create on their own. … read more
BEACHMEN with Koala Temple, High Counsel, Palace of Buddies 09.18...
The Urban Lounge has been doing this thing lately where they showcase local music to the public every week at no cost. It’s a simple “walk in and enjoy yourself” strategy to support our homegrown heroes. As a Salt Laker who doesn’t really attend farmer’s markets or other such gatherings, I try to catch as many of these as I can. Besides, organic produce doesn’t have shit on the ripeness of this lineup. … read more
Tycho @ The Depot 09.17 With Christopher Willits
Hearing Tycho live is a very different experience than hearing it in headphones or on vinyl—it has a much more intimate feel. … read more
Conor Oberst @ Red Butte Gardens 09.14 With Jonathan Wilson
It’s likely that when you think of Conor Oberst, you think of Bright Eyes. His latest album and second solo release, Upside Down Mountain, suggests that his growth as an artist is still a working priority. … read more
Porter Robinson @ The Great Saltair 09.05 with Lemaitre, Giraffage
If I were to juxtapose the energy and emotion coming from the entire room during this show with any electronic show I’ve been to in the last year, I’d say that the majority of the fans are starting to crave a more heartfelt and artistic side of an industry almost always labeled as “party music.” Robinson showed in two short hours that you can put emotion into a rave. … read more
Swans @ Urban Lounge 09.01 with Carla Bozulich
To describe Swans’ live set is nearly impossible—but I’ll try. Simply put, it was the most violently loud performance I’ve ever seen—and I’ve experienced Motorhead. … read more
Punk Rock Summer Nationals 2014 08.26 @ The Complex with...
On Aug. 26, The Punk Rock Summer Nationals tour featuring The Offspring, Bad Religion, Pennywise and Stiff Little Fingers stopped at The Complex in Salt Lake City. Two SLUG writers, Eric U. Norris and Nick Kuzmack, offer their unique perspectives of the show. … read more
7 Seconds @ Club Sound 07.23 With The Copyrights, Resistor...
Kevin Seconds really knew how to keep the crowd excited, and if it wasn’t through his onstage banter, the excitement reached overflowing levels when they played “Young Until I Die” and combined it with a rendition of Minor Threat’s “Minor Threat.” I went fucking nuts. … read more
Welcome to Salt Lake, Night Vale
I was stunned upon first walking up to the Rose Wagner Theater on Monday. Hundreds of people were crowding the sidewalk and lobby, at least half of them in cosplay. The crowd was a sea of black, purple, white and gray – and mysteriously ominous-looking eyes were painted on every other body. … read more