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Billy Idol

Billy Idol • Joan Jett and the Blackhearts • September 5, 2025 • Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

Billy Idol has always been the embodiment of rock and roll swagger—spiked hair, leather-clad attitude, and a sneer that became iconic in the MTV era. Decades later, he still carries that same magnetic energy on stage. His recent stop at Utah First Amphitheatre on his “It’s a Nice Day To… Tour Again! tour, proved that time has only sharpened his presence rather than diminished it. Backed by the ever-flawless Steve Stevens on guitar and a band that blended precision with raw power, Idol delivered a set that celebrated both his hits and deeper cuts, while nodding to his punk beginnings and wide-ranging influences.

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Train

Train • Edwin McCain • September 9, 2025 • Red Butte Garden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Amelia Weyerstall

Train played an outstanding show at the sold-out Red Butte Garden Amphitheater on the cool summer night of September 9th, 2025. The crowd was filled with excited fans of all ages, all decked out in train merch. A few fans in the audience were even wearing train conductor outfits, and when complimented on their outfits, would make a train horn noise, a very fun nod to the band performing.

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The Offspring

The Offspring • Jimmy Eat World • New Found Glory • September 6, 2025 • Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Austin Dayton

Photo Credit: Austin Dayton

At 28 years old, I wasn’t around for the first big wave of The Offspring’s rise. By the time “Come Out and Play” and “Self Esteem” were dominating the charts and making rounds on MTV, I was still in elementary school collecting snails. But that didn’t matter on September 6, 2025, when I finally got to see Offspring light up the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheater. For me, this wasn’t about reliving high school memories, though that seemed to be the case with everyone surrounding me; it was about connecting with a band I’d only ever experienced through an occasional playlist and road trip sing-alongs. And it turns out, music doesn’t necessarily need nostalgia to hit just as hard.

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KALEO

KALEO • September 1, 2025 • Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater • Deer Valley

Reviewed and Photographed by Nate Bonney

Photo Credit: Nate Bonney

Under a sky slowly fading into twilight and surrounded by the breathtaking Wasatch Mountains, KALEO delivered a soul-stirring performance at Deer Valley Resort on September 1st, 2025. With the natural amphitheater of Deer Valley as the backdrop, Iceland’s genre-bending rockers transformed the serene landscape into a smoky, blues-drenched sonic experience that left the crowd buzzing long after the encore.

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Bright Star

Bright Star • Sentinel Theatre Production • September 1, 2025 • Liahona Theater for the Community

Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe

Photographed by Jane Smith, courtesy of Sentinel Theater

Photo Credit: Jane Smith Courtesy of Sentinel Theater

I have to admit, I had pretty high, unfair expectations walking into the Liahona Theater to see Sentinel Theatre’s production of the musical Bright Star. Just under five months ago, I reviewed Sentinel’s inaugural production, Dogfight.  I walked away extremely impressed with the cast, the direction, and the overall production.  So I thought, if they did that well with their first show, I can only imagine how much better their second show will be.  And it’s a show I know and love.  No pressure, right?  It was unfair for me to put those expectations on this production.  And yet, Sentinel Theatre did not disappoint.  In fact, Bright Star exceeded any expectations I had.  This is a must-see show.  

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Teddy Swims

Teddy Swims • August 28, 2025 • The Plaza at America First Field

Reviewed and Photographed by Austin Dayton

Photo Credit: Austin Dayton

On a warm late August evening in Sandy, Utah, Teddy Swims stepped onto the stage at the Plaza at America First Field. They transformed an ordinary Thursday night into something that felt like a close-knit community gathering. Touring on the I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy part 2 – the follow-up to his breakthrough 2023 record – Teddy Swims once again proved that he’s not just a singer with a crazy range, but also a storyteller who sings with every ounce of soul. 

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Aaron Tveit

Aaron Tveit

Aaron Tveit • August 25, 2025 • Scera Schell Outdoor Theatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

Over the last few years, we have had a great run of Broadway Stars in concert here in Utah.  We’ve had amazing vocalists such as Jeremy Jordan, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jessica Vosk, Ben Platt,  Kara Lindsay, Kristin Chenoweth, Bernadette Peters, and, of course, just last month, Sutton Foster and Kelli O’Hara. Utah loves musical theater and its stars.  Anticipation was as high as I’ve ever seen it for Tony Award-winner Aaron Tveit.  He performed a sold-out show at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre in Orem with the Utah Valley Orchestra.

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Little Big Town

Little Big Town • Wynonna Judd • Shelby Lynn • August 28, 2025 • Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Photo Credit: Kevin Rolfe

Few bands in modern country music embody harmony quite like Little Big Town, and their recent concert performance proved why they’ve remained one of the genre’s most respected and beloved acts for over two decades. With a career spanning hits such as “Boondocks,” “Girl Crush,” and “Pontoon,” the four-part vocal powerhouse—Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet—delivered an evening filled with soaring harmonies, heartfelt storytelling, and a joyful celebration of music’s power to connect.

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Toto

Toto • Men At Work • Christopher Cross • August 27, 2025 • Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

With a catalog that bridges classic rock, pop, and progressive elements, Toto has long been revered not only for its massive hits but also for the virtuosity of its members. Seeing Toto in concert is more than just a trip down memory lane—it is a showcase of seasoned musicians who remain as sharp and passionate as ever. Their live performance brings together nostalgia, technical brilliance, and an undeniable joy that connects across generations.

Toto brought some friends to Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre. Men at Work and yacht rock legend Christopher Cross joined Toto in what was a night filled with hit songs. The walk down this memory lane was a good one.

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