You Won't Believe the Jaw-Dropping Acts Coming to Ogden's Summer Concert Series – Don’t Miss Out!

As the warm weather creeps in, anticipation builds for summer nights filled with music, laughter, and community gatherings. For residents of Northern Utah, this summer promises an exciting lineup of performances at the Ogden Amphitheater, courtesy of Onstage Ogden. The arts organization has announced four standout shows running from June through August, featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama, Los Texmaniacs with Making Movies, Steep Canyon Rangers with Della Mae, and the dynamic duo of Marc Cohn and Shawn Colvin.

In a recent phone interview, James Fredrick, executive director of Onstage Ogden, expressed the organization's goal to enhance entertainment options in the area. “We’ve kind of prototyped this over the last couple of summers, trying to see what it would look like for us to get more going on in the amphitheater,” he said. Last year, Onstage Ogden hosted three concerts, while the previous year featured just two. This summer, they aim to maintain that upward trajectory with four concerts planned.

Historically, arts organizations like Onstage Ogden operate primarily from September through May. However, Fredrick sees a unique opportunity with the Ogden Amphitheater, stating, “We think programmatically there’s a little room for what we’re trying to do in terms of the types of bands and the diversity of what we’re trying to offer.” After two years of planning and learning the intricacies of hosting outdoor events, the organization feels ready to expand its summer offerings.

Fredrick elaborated on the challenges that come with running outdoor events: “It was kind of learning how to work in that space, learning how to work with the folks at Ogden City who run the amphitheater, learning how to work with the vendors in there.” Navigating partnerships with food trucks and ensuring quality bar service were all part of the learning curve.

Onstage Ogden has worked to build trust with its audience, focusing not on bringing in big-name acts, but rather on curating a diverse and engaging lineup that reflects the community's taste. “We want to capitalize on that trust this summer with a broader range of performances, but things that still feel like it’s something like that Onstage Ogden would bring,” said Fredrick.

The outdoor concerts aim to create a relaxed atmosphere, where attendees can bring blankets and chairs to enjoy performances under the stars. “Generally what we’re going to be doing is blankets and chairs, a chill experience,” Fredrick noted. With expected attendance ranging from 500 to 1,500 people per concert, the events are designed for a laid-back summer vibe.

However, the unpredictability of outdoor events remains a challenge. “You kind of have to be able to literally navigate the storm in some sense,” Fredrick reflected, recalling a thunderstorm that disrupted last year’s concert just minutes before it was set to start. “We had to evacuate the amphitheater for 30 minutes. We got folks back in time to start at 8:30 p.m., and we just ran the show 30 minutes longer,” he explained. Such unpredictability requires a flexible approach to event planning and execution.

Each concert in the summer lineup aims to offer a unique experience, appealing to a wide range of musical tastes. “If you love bluegrass, we’ve got bluegrass. If you like Texas border music, Southern soul, or 90s pop, each one of them has a little bit their own style,” Fredrick said. The overarching vision for these events is to provide high-quality entertainment that’s accessible to the community. “It’s a low-pressure night. You’re not going to be standing in long lines, not going to be worrying about parking as much with not as big of an audience downtown,” he said.

As the summer approaches, Onstage Ogden encourages everyone to join in the fun. “We want people to have a pleasant summer evening in downtown Ogden with some really high-quality entertainment that’s broadly appealing for a lot of people in our community,” Fredrick emphasized. The lineup promises to be an enjoyable way to experience the vibrant atmosphere of downtown Ogden.

For more information on the Summer Concert Series and ticket purchases, visit onstageogden.org or call 801-399-9214. Tickets start at $36.