The Brits Love Salt Lake City: Sam Fender at The Union Event Center  

Many young Utah couples crowded themselves into the room to hear Sam Fender play. Perfect return-missionary music, Fender’s discography was made for the Utah concert scene.

With an eight-person band, Sam Fender played the Union Event Center on April 23. His style differs from the UK’s dance-pop, EDM-centric music scene as he strums his guitar passionately. Which makes sense given his name is Sam Fender–get it, because guitar fender. 

In likeness of Noah Kahan and The Band Camino, Fender takes on the magic of 2010s rock with ease. It took me back to the good old days, listening to bands like Coldplay on the radio.

As they made their way to the stage, the band opened with “Dead Boys,” and throughout the remainder of the set, they proved versatility in genre-bending. The brass section was the highlight of the night, which included a long-haired hippie in a bucket hat and an old, gray-haired man. I will add, there was a Bob Dylan moment from the long-haired, bucket hat-wearing hipster as he traded his saxophone for a harmonica. And the crowd went wild. 

If there’s anything the British are good at, it’s banter. Fender’s band proved the importance of an obnoxious hype man as well as unique interludes of cheesy jokes. However, there were moments of sincere messages that made Utah feel special. The audience became connected to the band instantly, even though it was their first time in the Beehive State.

“We came out with the expectations that nobody would be here,” Fender said.

The room was anything but empty. In fact, it was a surprisingly older crowd. Filling up to the edges of the venue, the audience was full of excited fans holding each other closely as the band serenaded us through the night. Before playing through the next few songs, “Crumbling Empire,” “Tyrants” and “Howdon Aldi Death Queue,” the crowd was washed over by the countless compliments Fender gave to Utah’s beauty. 

Following this, the room instantly turned into a purple haze when the band played “Spit of You.” It was the perfect moment for a slow dance. However, the moment only lasted so long when Fender broke out saying, “This is the first time I’ve had to use my inhaler in 10 years.” I guess there’s only so much beauty in Utah one can handle before it takes your breath away. Literally.

With the band’s genre-bending set, they took us from the Union to an 80s prom night to a lit-up canyon view. The music wasn’t what I would usually listen to, but it caught my ear quickly, and the room was entranced by Fender’s vocals along with the band’s continued musicianship.

“Let’s fill [the room] up next time.” Is Salt Lake up to the challenge?

The band is currently on tour until June 19. Be on the lookout for the next time they make a stop in Salt Lake City! 

You can listen to the latest album “People Watching” wherever you get your music.