Words and Photography by Zach Collier
Provo’s new mayor, Marsha Judkins, announced Tuesday that the Rooftop Concert Series will return this summer, reviving a free concert series that once transformed downtown Provo into a seasonal gathering place for music fans, families, and curious passersby alike. It’s been seven years since one of Provo’s most beloved summer traditions went on indefinite hiatus.
If you were in Provo anytime between 2010 and 2019, the Rooftop Concert Series probably needs little introduction. What began on the rooftop of a downtown parking garage quickly grew into a summer staple. With government support from Mayor John Curtis (catch my 2016 interview with him here), the homegrown event eventually relocated to the Nu Skin Plaza in 2014. Streets were closed. Crowds spilled into Center Street. Thousands showed up – not just from Provo, but from across Utah – for free shows that felt bigger than the city itself.
The lineup history is impressive: Neon Trees. Imagine Dragons. The Aces. The Strike. The National Parks. Even The Aquabats rolled through. For many artists and fans alike, the series served as a rare intersection point between local culture and national momentum, giving many indie openers a much needed and appreciated shot at the local spotlight.
The concert series ended in 2019, with organizers citing an unsustainable freemium model that relied entirely on corporate sponsorships. Still, the cultural impact lingered.
Judkins says she’s been working behind the scenes with members of the original team who helped bring the series to life during its first run: Rooftop Concert Series was started by Sarah Wiley, C. Jane Kendrick, Mindy Gledhill, and Justin Hackworth. Nu Skin has also agreed to once again host the event on its property. The mayor’s team has been searching for corporate sponsors and working out logistical details. A formal announcement is expected soon.
During her mayoral campaign last fall, Judkins openly supported bringing the series back – not just as entertainment, but as a civic tool.
That sentiment feels especially resonant now. In an era when cities everywhere are searching for ways to rebuild community, reenergize downtowns, and offer shared experiences that don’t revolve around a screen or a purchase, the return of the Rooftop Concert Series feels natural and needed. The scene has rebuilt itself in big ways since the pandemic shut it all down, and the Provo music scene is poised to capitalize on this opportunity in a big way.
This summer might once again sound a lot like applause echoing off downtown buildings – and a city remembering how good it feels to gather for no reason other than music.
You can catch Mayor Judkins at the 3hive’s Provo Music Town Hall on Tuesday, February 3 at 7 PM.