Joe Bonamassa @ Eccles Theater 8/20
Not even counting collaborative projects, prolific New York-born blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa has released 17 studio albums since his debut, A New Day Yesterday (2000). His most recent studio album, 2025’s Breakthrough, top-tenned the charts in four countries. Bonamassa holds a record as the blues artist with the most Number One albums (30 to date). Yet as well-received as his studio releases have been, Bonamassa’s reputation has been built and cultivated on the strength of his live performances. His steady stream of live albums—21 and counting—splits the difference. Released in June, Bonamassa’s The Spirit of Rory: Live from Cork pays tribute to another blues-rock guitar titan, Rory Gallagher. Through his career, Bonamassa has been nominated five times for a Grammy Award. In 2020 he launched his own record label, Keeping the Blues Alive, dedicated to offering support to established and aspiring artists. An avid guitar collector and self-described guitar nerd, Bonamassa reputedly owns between 500 and 600 instruments; he often plays rare guitars from his collection (self-effacingly dubbed “Nerdville”) live onstage. Joe Bonamassa comes to Delta Hall at the Eccles Theater on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. Ticket prices start at $73 and at saltlakecountyarts.org. (Bill Kopp)
The Lip, Glory Trip, The Drought @ Kilby Court 8/21
Summer may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean the live shows will be toning it down—it just means you’ll be inside more. If you’re feeling like jamming out, this lineup of locals is going to be an epic show. Rockers The Lip are headlining, bringing their satisfying brand of funky tunes to the stage. They’ve been steadily releasing singles from their new album, which is now out. One of the last songs released before the full work debuted is “Summer,” which is perfect to help send the season off, but is more focused on using the different times of year to describe personality differences. “I was summer, you were winter / You got cold when it got hot / So bad at taking pictures, but I still love your eyes a lot,” the song goes. Also coming out to play is heavy rock group Glory Trip. Their latest EP Catatonia dropped earlier this spring, and has epic, head-banging tracks that are going to be incredible to hear live. Headbanging while on your own at home is all well and good, but it’s a lot more fun with the band right in front of you and fellow showgoers doing the same. SLC group The Drought has been steadily finding their sound and building up a fanbase, and that can be heard on their latest track “Aimlessly.” It’s got great guitar soloing, unique vocals and cool effects. Catch these local acts on Friday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the all-ages show are $12.15 in advance and $13.99 at the door. Grab yours at 24tix.com. (Emilee Atkinson)
Grid City Music Fest @ Various Locations 8/21-23…