This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Every year, the Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series lineup is one of Salt Lake City's most eagerly anticipated pop culture events.
The 2017 iteration has a familiar feel to it.
The latest lineup, which was announced Tuesday morning and features 29 total concerts, includes myriad artists who've become Red Butte mainstays — such as the Drive-By Truckers (Aug. 4), North Mississippi All-Stars and Anders Osborne (July 14), and Sheryl Crow (Sept. 13) — while sprinkling in a few new additions as well.
"Our goal is to present acts that we know and love, as well as bands that engage new audiences and appeal to a variety of music tastes," Bryn Ramjoué, Red Butte's communications director, said in a news release.
Chris Mautz, who works as Red Butte's concert promoter, said that while he's sensitive to some fans' perception that this year's slate is loaded with acts who've played Red Butte before, he and his staff would be remiss not to consider taking into account what has worked and can work again.
"It's a fair point — 'Haven't The Decemberists played there before?' Well yeah, they did, but people loved it and still talk about it, and [the group] loved being here, so we love to have them back," he said in a phone interview. "We don't really have an exact formula for the number of repeat artists. To me, it's like going to your favorite restaurant and ordering your favorite dish — you like what you get and you want it again.
"What's unique about this lineup's repeats is that many haven't been back for a long time, and a lot of those coming back are in different combinations than before," Mautz added. "Trombone Shorty has certainly played here before, but now he's playing with St. Paul and The Broken Bones, which is new. Also Chick Corea has played here, and Belá Fleck has played here, but them playing together this year makes it unique. So even though there are some familiar faces, a lot of them are coming back in different nuances and configurations."
As is always the case, Red Butte members will have first access to tickets (many shows typically sell out immediately) and will receive $5 off per ticket (prices vary per show). Garden member tickets are slated to go on sale online Monday, April 24, at 7 p.m. They will be available through Red Butte's website via Ticketfly (be sure to have an account in advance). In-person sales for members begin the next day at 9 a.m. Tickets for the general public go on sale online and in person on May 1 at 9 a.m.
As for the lineup itself, the concert series kicks off with U.K. rockers and infamous heavy-metal Grammy winners Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson on May 23.
For those fans wishing to further satiate their rock 'n' roll jonesing, guitar legends Santana and Kenny Wayne Shepherd are slated for June 28 and July 6, respectively. Texas legends ZZ Top arrive Aug. 31. Other rock acts include Guster (June 18), Tedeschi Trucks Band (Aug. 1), HAIM (Sept. 12) and Gov't Mule (Sept. 14 — the final show of the series).
There are alternative acts on the slate as well, including Trey Anastasio Band (June 2), Portugal. The Man (July 25), The Head and the Heart (Aug. 13), The Decemberists (Aug. 15) and Jason Isbell (Sept. 8).
Those seeking more easygoing fare have plenty of options, including Jason Mraz and His Superband (June 20), Mary Chapin Carpenter (July 20), Lyle Lovett (July 21), Howard Jones (July 23) — even the Utah Symphony and conductor Randall Craig Fletcher performing the film music of composer John Williams (Aug. 2).
And music aficionados seeking a jazzier vibe will look forward to the likes of TajMo (a fusion of Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' on June 4), Chick Corea Elektric Band/Béla Fleck and the Flecktones (Aug. 16), and Herbie Hancock (Aug. 20).
For Red Butte first-timers, part of the appeal is the ability to bring along a home-packed picnic — and beverages (of an adult nature or otherwise) without having your cooler checked.
Meanwhile, Mautz is pleased to see the series continue to grow and gain popularity, to the point that it's become something of an institution among Utah's music fans.
"When I first started doing this in '97, we were doing six or seven shows a summer. It's a little different now, obviously. We've had the opportunity to broaden our reach in the community, and it has certainly grown," he said. "… I love that the music-going audience and the growing community that that has become in our market has really been able to support the concert series at the Garden. That's pretty remarkable for the Garden to be able to have such a connection with that audience."
For more information on the Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series, go to redbuttegarden.org/concerts.
Twitter: @esotericwalden —
2017 Red Butte concerts at a glance
Tuesday, May 23 • Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson
Friday, June 2 • Trey Anastasio Band — Paper Wheels Tour
Sunday, June 4 • TajMo: The Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' Band
Sunday, June 18 • Dispatch: America, Location 12 Tour with Guster, Jake Shimabukuro
Tuesday, June 20 • Jason Mraz and His Superband
Wednesday, June 28 • Santana — Transmogrify Tour
Thursday, July 6 • Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
Thursday, July 13 • Amos Lee
Friday, July 14 • North Mississippi Allstars and Anders Osborne Present: N.M.O. / Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real
Thursday, July 20 • Mary Chapin Carpenter with Sarah Jarosz
Friday, July 21 • Lyle Lovett and his Large Band
Sunday, July 23 • RetroFutura Tour: Howard Jones, The English Beat, Men Without Hats
Tuesday, July 25 • Portugal. The Man
Tuesday, Aug. 1 • Wheels of Soul Tour: Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Wood Brothers, Hot Tuna
Wednesday, Aug. 2 • John Williams' Film Music featuring the Utah Symphony
Friday, Aug. 4 • Drive-By Truckers with Asleep at the Wheel
Thursday, Aug. 10 • Gregory Alan Isakov / Blind Pilot
Sunday, Aug. 13 • The Head and the Heart with Matt Hopper and The Roman Candles
Tuesday, Aug. 15 • The Decemberists with Olivia Chaney
Wednesday, Aug. 16 • Chick Corea Elektric Band / Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Thursday, Aug. 17 • Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue / St. Paul and The Broken Bones
Sunday, Aug. 20 • Herbie Hancock
Monday, Aug. 21 • Lake Street Dive
Thursday, Aug. 31 • ZZ Top — Tonnage Tour
Wednesday, Sept. 06 • John Butler Trio with Nattali Rize
Friday, Sep. 8 • Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit with Frank Turner and the Sleeping Sounds
Tuesday, Sep. 12 • HAIM
Wednesday, Sept. 13 • Sheryl Crow — Be Myself Tour
Thursday, Sept.14 • Gov't Mule — Revolution Come … Revolution Go Tour