MUSIC PICKS MAY 22 - MAY 28 

• @sierrascreativelife
• Flowdan

Flowdan @ Soundwell 5/22
The first grime MC ever to win a Grammy is coming to Salt Lake City this weekend. Flowdan (Marc Veira) is best known for being a founding member of Roll Deep, the British grime crew from the early aughts that was one of the pioneer grime groups evolving from U.K. garage; the genre incorporates jungle, dancehall, and hip-hop with super-fast beats and lyrical flow. You may be familiar with Roll Deep's singles "Good Times" and "Green Light," which both hit number one spots in the United Kingdom. Flowdan has gone on to be a successful solo artist, securing a Grammy in 2024 Best Dance/Electronic Recording on his collaboration "Rumble" with internationally renowned legends Skrillex and Fred Again. The dark dubstep song with Flowdan's distinctive vocal flow embodies what he's known best for—London grit. Flowdan has continued to MC for more electronic artists, and his talent is bringing greater recognition to grime on this side of the pond. The hit song "Baddadan" with drum-and-bass producers Chase & Status and Bou features Flowdan's signature gruff and rumbling quality. This song spent 20 continuous weeks on the U.K. Singles Chart, and is well-loved in the United States as well. Flowdan is a veteran of grime music, a "bass siren," and always reps his East London roots. This show takes place on Thursday, May 22, at Soundwell. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. for this 18+ show. Tickets cost $20 at soundwellslc.com. (Arica Roberts)

• Calen Thomas
• Always Her

Always Her, The Drought, Nightdays @ Kilby Court 5/23
What does a good love song sound like in 2025? In some ways, it may feel like our artistic drive as humans is slowly being dulled by the relentless barrage of digital information constantly coming our way and AI on the rise, but that's where the earnestness of indie artists come into play. SLC alt/indie band Always Her released their single "Timeless" at the beginning of the year, giving listeners a delightful and heartfelt love song perfect for sending to your crush. "She's a timeless work of art / She's the main attraction / In the museum of my heart / An exhibit of pure perfection," the song opens. Whoever "she" is, hopefully she knows this song was written about her, and that someone else feels that way about her, because words like that are cause for potential swooning. The band has other great songs, including their acoustic EP from last year and "Airport Girl," which has similar vibes to "Timeless." Also coming to party is The Drought, whose most recent indie jam "BLB" has the tastiest of bass lines and smooth, lovely vocals. Rounding out the bill is SLC indie pop trio Nightdays, whose latest single, "The Current," is going to be a treat to hear live with its dreamy, atmospheric sound. Come hang out with this impeccable local lineup on Friday, May 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $10 and can be found at 24tix.com. (Emilee Atkinson)

Revisiting Creedence @ SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre 5/24
One of the most celebrated bands of the rock era, Creedence Clearwater Revival was one of the great American singles groups. Though they never landed a number-one single, they came close, placing more than a dozen songs in the Top Ten. A major influence on roots rock, CCR released seven albums during their 1968-72 run; all but one earned Platinum status. The group split in acrimony, and for many years thereafter, leader and primary songwriter John Fogerty refused to play CCR songs in his solo concerts. Taking up the mantle of Creedence's beloved catalog, the band's rhythm section—lifelong friends Stu Cook (bass) and Doug "Cosmo" Clifford on drums—launched a sort-of tribute/legacy project, Creedence Clearwater Revisited in 1995. That group toured and released albums over a 25-year period, playing to enthusiastic and nostalgic audiences on five continents. When Cook and Clifford retired the group in 2020, guitarists Dan McGuinness and Kurt Griffey continued as Revisiting Creedence. With nearly three dozen live engagements already booked for this year, Revisiting Creedence is a testament to the enduring appeal of CCR's music. The group comes to the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre on Saturday, May 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $26.50 at tickets.com. (Bill Kopp)

• @sjp_p
• The Wailers

The Wailers @ The Egyptian Theatre 5/24
The late, great Bob Marley founded The Wailers, and they served him well as his back-up band throughout a sadly curtailed career. Though Marley's been gone nearly 45 years now, The Wailers continue to maintain Marley's legacy, sharing the classic songs they recorded with him. To be sure, none of the original band members remain in the current lineup due to the fact that some are also departed and others chose to retire. However, a common bond remains, courtesy of drummer Aston Barrett Jr., son of the band's original bassist and longest-lived participant, the late Aston "Familyman" Barrett. So too, the connection continues to be well served through the songs Marley made famous prior to his premature passing. It's also worth remembering that it's not uncommon for a band to tour under the name they were known by in an original incarnation, especially when it serves to preserve the great music that was made early on. Besides, the current crop of Wailers has clearly come into their own, courtesy of the Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album that was accorded their most recent LP, 2020's One World, which was also the first release in 25 years. Notably, their current tour marks the 30th anniversary of their classic Natural Mystic: The Legend Lives On and the 40th anniversary of the compilation called Legend. In that respect, consider their upcoming concert nothing less than a Wailers revival. The Wailers perform at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City at 8 p.m., Thursday, May 22 - Saturday, May 24. Tickets cost $39 at tickets.egyptiantheatrecompany.org. (Lee Zimmerman)

• Ryan Reid
• Bouncing Souls

Bouncing Souls @ The Depot 5/27
Out of every youth movement, the creative artists force themselves to be noticed—and many "punk" musicians were very good and very creative, in spite of the absurd splutterings of the headline-grabbers. With more than 12 studio LPs and three decades in the game, punk icons The Bouncing Souls have left more than a mark on music, as their DIY approach paid off. "When we started the band, we'd do everything and anything we could to just have anyone pay attention to us at all, because it took us a long time for anyone to care," Pete Steinkopf told NewNoiseMagazine.com. "And then you get to a point where you start getting a little bit of popularity maybe, and you can go on tour, and you can sustain yourself and you can even start making money at it." For those of us who grew up with them, The Bouncing Souls—belting out punchy, sing-along punk tracks like "East Coast! Fuck You!" and the unmistakably Jersey-proud "So Jersey"—can instantly bring back the magic of the boardwalk: the chocolate sensation of Yoo-Hoo, the grease of White Castle sliders and the salty breeze rolling off the Atlantic. The Bouncing Souls never fail to entertain and electrify live, so this show is not to be missed. H2o, Adolescents and The Jack Knives open. Catch these musicians on the "East Coast! F#ck You!" Tour at The Depot on Tuesday, May 27. Doors at 6 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $45 at livenation.com. (Mark Dago)