By Zach Collier
Photos by Clark Clifford
Pioneer Day folk concert? H*ck yeah. Honestly, I couldn’t have imagined a more Utahn programming choice if I tried. The lineup for last month’s concert was solid, the weather was great, and I was able to enjoy this particular Rooftop Concert with my wife – and make one last Sub Zero run together before their lease ran out (RIP Sub Zero).
The concert kicked off with Mayor Marsha Judkins and Chief Mary of the Timpanogos Tribal Nation sharing thoughtful messages about healing and community. Indigenous Americans play an important role in Latter-day Saint theology – yet our indigenous neighbors are consulted or given the spotlight surprisingly little. I really appreciated hearing a different perspective about Pioneer Day. Chief Mary spoke about the history of the Indigenous peoples along the Wasatch Front and how descendants of early Mormon settlers and the descendants of Utah’s original inhabitants are working together to heal. Her brother Perry followed her remarks by performing a traditional song.
Mayor Judkins also read Provo’s new Refugee Proclamation, aiming to make the city a safe and welcoming place for “modern-day pioneers.” While this second initiative ruffled some rightwing feathers online (the national reach of this initiative was kind of wild to see), I’m in full support of it. To me, Provo is a place where problems are solved, where solutions are found, and where people from all over the world feel at home. I’ve seen it when people move here. I’ve seen it when people visit. There’s something about the city that makes everyone feel like they belong here.
After that, Susie brown took the stage. She and her band brought high energy Nashville instincts to downtown Provo with some rippin’ fiddle and stellar vocals. Susie Brown was in the Nashville country act the JaneDear girls in the mid-to-late 00s and has brought her expertise to the mountain west by way of her non-profit Nashville in the Rockies. It was really cool to see her in action and to have live, verifiable proof that she is, in fact, a badass.
Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband took the stage next. To clarify, I’d like to say that Ryan Shupe himself was a constant presence – making exciting guest appearances in both Susie’s set and the final set of the night – but they officially played their set after Susie’s. You can tell these guys have been at it for years and years. Everything felt effortless. Their audience engagement was endearing and authentic. The original music was solid, and the covers they threw in were so much fun. Plus, they had the best Kermit the Frog impression out of anyone that night.
(Nobody else did a Kermit the Frog impression, but still).
It’s easy to see why they’re a Utah mainstay. Class act all around.
Folk Gospel Revival is something everyone needs to experience at least once in their lives. The Lower Lights features veteran performers from all over the Utah music industry, and it shows. Locked in rhythm and percussion; stellar vocals from 5 different performers, with each one taking lead and singing backup depending on the song; dialed in lights; and daring folk and gospel arrangements of familiar hymns. It was unabashedly feel good. The Lower Lights definitely live up to their name. They’re a light. Having both Susie and Ryan take the stage and join them for a number was a really cool full circle moment and exactly the kind of team up Rooftop excels at creating. It was a great way to end the night.
It was a very different lineup from previous and forthcoming shows, but one that I appreciated a lot. It showcased a very specific side of Utah that deserves more praise and celebration. Wholesome folk, country, and Americana is about as Utah as you can get, and I loved every second of it.
The next Rooftop Concert is tomorrow, August 21 at 7 PM at Nu Skin Plaza in Downtown Provo. The lineup features The Aces, Goldmyth, and Little Moon.