2023 Summer Guide Arts & Cultural Festivals Calendar 

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Party with City Weekly
A list of our own special summer events
By Scott Renshaw

We don't just report on summer festivals—we host them, too. Join us for some of our own special events, every month of the summer.

Moab Slick Rock Beer Festival
May 20, 11-8 p.m.
Proper Brewing (1393 N. Hwy 191, Moab, cwstore.cityweekly.net/EventMicroSite/12240)
Fifteen local, regional and national breweries join us for this inaugural event. Popular Moab-based band Stonefed joins as the music headliners. Similar to our Utah Beer Festival format, beers can be sampled in 5-ounce souvenir mugs. 

12th annual City Weekly Pride Pageant
June 1, 8 p.m.
Metro Music Hall (615 W. 100 South, SLC, cwstore.cityweekly.net/EventMicroSite/12279)
Queens, kings and all drag things. The Pride Pageant returns to its home venue at Metro Music Hall, produced by JRC events and hosted by the fabulous Sequoia. This year will feature a record eight contestants, five judges from the local queer scene and post-show entertainment. 

4th annual Utah Cann
July 15, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Dreamscapes, The Shops at South Town (10450 S. State, No. 2200, Sandy, utahcann.com)
Our revamped one-day Utah Cann event where art, music and cannabis culture collide. As Utah's medical market starts to mature in its fourth year, Utah Cann has been there all along the way helping to bring education and social acceptance to the community. 

13th annual Utah Beer Festival
Aug. 19–20, 2- 8 p.m.
Granary Live (742 S. 500 West, SLC, utahbeerfestival.com)
Our showcase for Utah's beer-loving community finds a new home in the heart of the Granary District. With an expanded footprint while still within the Salt Lake City core, you can expect more beers and more entertainment from this year's festival.

• Gun Press
• Garbage

Songs of the Summer
Big names at big venues highlight a summer of terrific concert options.
By Sophie Caliguri & Lee Zimmerman

Come one, come all, and gather round in anticipation: the City Weekly music staff have lassoed and rounded up our top 13 large-scale music shows to watch this summer. From electronic dance to heavy metal to In Da Club, we guarantee that there is something to be found for every Utah music fan in our sprawling, multifarious, hard rocking and hotter-than-July list. Dip your toes in or take the plunge; say goodbye to your pre-imagined and so-called "dog days of summer" and instead say hello to the merriest of musical months.

JUNE
The Cure @ Vivint Arena
One of the most influential British bands of the early 1980s, The Cure successfully fused the sound of pop and punk with a dark demeanor that helped galvanize the popularity of Goth early on. Founder and frontman Robert Smith remains the only constant from the early incarnation, but the vision remains intact courtesy of Smith's iconic look and stand-out songs like "Boys Don't Cry," "Friday I'm In Love," "Lovesong" and "Pictures of You." Consider it either a retro revival or nuanced nostalgia.
June 4, 8 p.m., tickets start at $40, 301 S. Temple, SLC,
vivintarena.com

Garbage & Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds @ Usana Amphitheatre
It's always been hard to put an exact label on Garbage. Alternately described as post-grunge, trip-hop, alt-rock and electro pop, the band takes its cue from the image and intrigue of front woman Shirley Manson, an iconoclast all on her own. Likewise, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds are defined by the man at its helm, best known as one of the two prickly individuals who helped Oasis establish their dedicated devotion to the ongoing influence of classic British rock. Paired together, this ought to be a stand-out show.
June 13, 7 p.m., $49.50-$249, 5150 Upper Ridge Road, West Valley City,
concerts.livenation.com

Get Funky Festival @ The Great Saltair
Just this once, we're willing to risk the tired cliche of "the name says it all!" for the Get Funky Festival, Salt Lake City's premier summer destination for house and EDM aficionados. With a lineup featuring lionized headlining DJs such as Chris Lake, Dom Dolla, Walker & Royce and Sidepiece, it would be in your best interest to A. purchase tickets immediately and B. express ship a few pairs of Dr. Scholl's orthopedic inserts and a CamelBak in preparation for these two impending boogie nights.
June 23-24, 18+, $50-150, 12408 W. Saltair Drive, Magna,
getfunkyfestival.com

• Kevin C. Cox
• Snoop Dogg

JULY
Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Too $hort, & More @ Usana Amphitheatre
Rap giants Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Too $hort and more have joined forces to embark on their High School Reunion tour. Finally, it's safe to say this is one reunion you will ecstatically want to show up for; it's completely free of linoleum gymnasiums and excruciating small talk. Instead, prepare yourself to relish three acts, back-to-back, that brought us such masterpieces, innuendos and puns as Doggystyle, Rolling Papers and Life Is..., respectively. And, who knows—now that at least one of them is friends with Martha Stewart, they might have gotten crafty and cooked up something brand-new to delight old fans.
Tuesday, July 11, 6 p.m., all ages, $35-249, 5150 Upper Ridge Road, West Valley City,
livenation.com

• Brian Blauser
• Ruthie Foster @the Utah Blues Festival

Utah Blues Festival @ Gallivan Center
How better to escape the blues than by embracing those of a musical variety? The seventh annual Utah Blues Festival, taking place over two days in the heart of our city, brings out the best of that time-honored tradition courtesy of performances by such esteemed artists as Mitch Woods, Ruthie Foster, Danielle Nicole, and Sugaray Rayford, with free workshops and various vendors to boot.
July 16, 5-10 p.m., and June 17, noon-10 p.m., weekend passes start at $100, single-day tickets start at $50 and $60, 239 S. Main, SLC,
utahbluesfest.org

50 Cent @ The Maverik Center
Go shawty, aka Interscope Records studio album Get Rich or Die Tryin'! It's your birthday! To commemorate 20 years of his magnum opus, 50 Cent will be partying like it's his birthday, rolling out a slew of dates for his Final Lap tour with opener Busta Rhymes—and the kick-off date location is none other than our very own Salt Lake City. With time-honored tracks such as "In Da Club," "P.I.M.P.," "Candy Shop," and "U Not Like Me," under his belt and the ability to do bar-hanging sit-ups, this promises to be an illustrious evening.
July 21, 7 p.m., all ages, $39.50-$249.50, 3200 S. Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City,
maverikcenter.com

• Elizabeth Weinberg
• Smashing Pumpkins

AUGUST
Smashing Pumpkins & Stone Temple Pilots @ Usana Amphitheatre
Nostalgia buffs ought to delight in this double bill that finds two of the 1990s' most adventurous ensembles sharing the stage. The loss of Scott Weiland notwithstanding, the Pilots still soar high, courtesy of their self-titled 2018 comeback album and their recent effort, Perdida. For their part, Smashing Pumpkins have also managed to persevere thanks to their current opus Atum, a three-part effort that brings their ambitions back to the fore. Pumpkins personnel include erstwhile leader Billy Corgan, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin and guitarist James Iha, ensuring complete credibility.
Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m., $39.50-$659.50,
5150 Upper Ridge Road, West Valley City,
livenation.com

Foo Fighters @ Usana Amphitheatre
Despite any curiosity regarding Foo Fighters' ability to carry on in the wake of drummer Taylor Hawkins' unexpected passing, the band's ability to rock relentlessly is clearly not in question. Remaining members—singer/guitarist Dan Grohl, guitarists Pat Smear and Chris Shift, bassist Nate Mendel and keyboardist and former Wallflower Rami Jaffee—have a new album readied for release, aptly titled But Here We Are, further proof they're prone to persevere. Expect the Foo Fighters to come out swinging.
Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m., $139-$140, 5150 Upper Ridge Road, West Valley City,
livenation.com

The Australian Pink Floyd Show Darkside 50 Tour @ Sandy Amphitheatre
Given the antagonism that exists between Roger Waters and David Gilmour—as well as the premature passing of keyboardist Richard Wright and the band's founder Syd Barrettt—any opportunity to witness the real deal has long since passed. That said, the Australian Pink Floyd Show is widely accredited as the next best thing, a faithful reproduction of Floyd's remarkable flights of fantasy given the added benefit of a brilliant light show and, of course, a spectacular sound system.
Aug. 9, 7 p.m., $49-$79, 1300 E. 9400 South, Sandy,
sandyamp.com

Boz Scaggs @ Red Butte Garden
Originally a member of Steve Miller's nascent blues band, Boz Scaggs went on to enjoy a brilliant solo career, one that marked him as a classic crooner capable of turning out radio hits that appealed to both young and old. Even now, songs such as "Lowdown," "Lido Shuffle: and "Look What You've Done To Me" remain indelibly impressed in the annals of popular music. Scaggs is still brilliant, and this upcoming performance will inevitably evoke a load of musical memories.
Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m., garden members: $55/public: $60, 300 Wakara Way, SLC,
redbuttegarden.org/concerts

• BRANDON HOEG
• Beach Bunny @ Mind the Gap Fest

Mind the Gap Fest @ The Gateway
In its first rendition this year, the Mind the Gap Fest aims to showcase both local and national acts, elevate conversations surrounding the stark gender inequities unique to Utah and (in partnership with SLCC) raise money for a scholarship fund directed toward underrepresented individuals who are pursuing a career in the music industry and/or entertainment industry. With pastel popstar Beach Bunny headlining and joined by punk outfit Destroy Boys, R&B artist Orion Sun, and indie duo Sales among many more (!), promoting a good cause never felt so damned cool.
Aug. 26, 11 a.m., $59.50-$150, all ages, 400 W. 200 South, SLC,
mindthegapfest.com

• Scott Dudelson
• Pantera

Pantera @ Usana Amphitheatre
Texas-based '90s heavy metal band Pantera—known widely and affectionately as "Cowboys From Hell" after their 1990 release of the same name—are bringing their hell-bent, deeply dark vocals, weighted bass, propulsive drum lines and so-famous-as-to-be-almost-fictional guitar solos (best demonstrated on the imitable although frequently imitated track "Floods") to Utah during the late summer haze of sultry August. This tour marks the debut of the impatiently awaited and hallowed lineup featuring founders Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown, along with Charlie Benae (Anthrax), and Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society).
Aug. 29, 7 p.m., $29-199, all ages, 5150 Upper Ridge Road, West Valley City,
livenation.com

Twilight concerts @ Gallivan Center and Ogden Amphitheater
With such a seductive lineup at SLC's Gallivan Center and the Ogden Amphitheater, this summer's Twilight shows will sell out quickly. It would be in your best interest to not "sleep on" (as the kids say) such artists as Trampled by Turtles, Soccer Mommy, Rina Sawayama, Sylvan Esso, The Flaming Lips, Phantogram, Noah Cyrus and Royksopp—all of which (as of press time) have some tickets available.
For dates and prices, visit 24tix.com. Gallivan Center, 239 S. Main, SLC, saltlakearts.org/twilightconcertseries; Ogden Amphitheater, 343 E. 25th St., Ogden, ogden twilight.com