MUSIC REVIEW: Don’t miss the best music coming to Utah this summer

Biggest Concerts of the Summer:

5. Josh Groban – Aug. 28 at Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City

4. Gwen Stefani – April 30 at the E Center in West Valley City

3. Kenny Chesney – June 28 at the USANA Amphitheatre in Salt Lake City

2. VANS Warped Tour featuring Flogging Molly, Hawthorne Heights, Sum 41, The Used and others – July 7 at the Salt Lake Fairgrounds

1. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill – June 11 at Energy Solutions Arena

Best rock: Drive-by Truckers, May 10 at Club Suede in Park City

The last time the Truckers came to Utah, they played a rocking three-hour set. With three great lead guitar players, lead singers and songwriters, these guys play some of the loudest and best rock and roll around today. This time around, they are playing a stripped-down acoustic show to show off their songwriting skills.

Best Brit-rock: The Fratellis, May 1 at the Urban Lounge in Salt Lake City

Anyone who watches much television has heard the Fratellis’ song “Flathead” on a recent iPod commercial. Their music, like “Flathead,” is fun, light Brit-pop that mixes jangle-pop with the post-punk sound of The Strokes. They are pure fun and entertainment with rock and roll swagger.

Best jazz: Salt Lake International Jazz Festival, June at the Salt Lake City and County Building.

All jazz every day for four days, and it’s free. In past years, they’ve had renowned artists like Chuck Mangione, Arturo Sandoval and The Rippingtons.

Best farewell tour (kind-of): Nickel Creek, May 12 at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City.

Usually, bands of 20-something bluegrass artists don’t have farewell tours, but the members of Nickel Creek are going their separate ways. So, enjoy the last chance (for now) to see one of the most interesting and exciting bluegrass groups around. Where else might you hear a bluegrass cover of a Nirvana song?

Best comeback tour: The Police

The Police aren’t coming to Utah (their closest shows are Denver and Vegas), but a chance to see one of the biggest great bands of the ’80s might be worth traveling for. Plus, there’s the off chance that the band’s volatile relationship might combust during the show.

Best way to spend a Thursday night: Twilight Concert Series at the Gallivan Plaza in Salt Lake Citiy

Grab a blanket, lay out on the Gallivan lawn and listen to great music on a hot summer night. But, you better get there early, because the free weekly event draws in a large crowd. The Twilight Concert Series consistently features great artists from many different genres, from rock (Cracker, Shelby Lynne) to country and bluegrass (Doc Watson and Earl Scruggs).

Tom Liljegren is the music critic for The Utah Statesman. Send comments to him at tliljegren@cc.usu.edu.