Salt Lake Twilight Concert series a microcosm of the city's thriving music scene
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Singer Maria Zardoya of The Marias performs at Coachella in 2022 in Indio, California. Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for Coachella
The Salt Lake Twilight Concert Series has seen a surge in attendance since returning to the Gallivan Center in 2018.
By the numbers: Attendance between 2018 and 2023 has nearly doubled, according to figures provided by the Salt Lake City Arts Council.
Why it matters: Salt Lake City's music scene is expanding, with the emergence of Kilby Block Party and the city's growing population.
- "There are more venues popping up and more bands playing, and then also more people attending shows," Nic Smith, managing director for S&S Presents, the booking agency for the Salt Lake and Ogden Twilight concert series, told Axios.
- When booking artists, Smith said he looks at a diversity of genres and performers who reflect the community to attract new and veteran concertgoers.
What they're saying: "Back in the day … like once a month, we'd get a good band, and now every night you can go find something amazing," said KRCL "Midday Show" host Eugenie Hero Jaffe, who has been attending the music festival since 1998.
Driving the news: Individual tickets for the six weeks of performances go on sale Wednesday at 10am, with the lineup featuring indie darlings like the Marías, Laufey and Thee Sacred Souls.
- The shows will run from June 21 to Aug. 21, featuring emerging and local artists.
- Early single-concert tickets range from $10 to $20 before fees, with VIP options starting at $50. Ticket packages for all shows begin at $60 plus fees.
- The Salt Lake series will temporarily overlap with Ogden Twilight, which will run from May 16 through through Sept. 13.
Catch up quick: The future of the Salt Lake's Twilight looked uncertain after city officials proposed canceling the 2018 event due to years of plunging revenue.
- The event was still held after the nonprofit Salt Lake City Arts Council partnered with entertainment company Broadway Media, which was tasked with booking the performers, under a "pilot-program deal," the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
- That resulted in the concert series returning to the Gallivan Center after a seven-year stint at Pioneer Park.
Between the lines: Since then, Salt Lake Twilight has been named the best concert series in Salt Lake City Weekly's 2023 Best of Utah awards, ahead of Ogden Twilight and Red Butte Garden.
- Arts Council director Felicia Baca noted some years can fluctuate based on a band's popularity or the number of acts held.
Who we're watching: Laufey, an Icelandic singer-songwriter who won a Grammy this year for best traditional pop vocal album, will kick things off on June 21.
- Soul band Thee Sacred Souls, known for the hit "Can I Call you Rose?," will play a set on June 27.
- Fresh off its Coachella set, British group Jungle will appear Aug. 7.
- Grammy-nominated act and bilingual indie band the Marías will perform at a larger pop-up venue at Library Square on Aug. 16 as it promotes its latest album.
Go deeper: A look at previous Twilight performers