Wet, muddy, and a little sunshine came through as people found parking in the industrial, downtown area and make their way to The Complex. Waiting in lines that wrap ‘round the block to get through the security and ID checks and fans are finally let into the venue. Merch options are a’plenty and surround the lobby as show-goers load up on snacks or beer before this highly anticipated, re-scheduled show featuring Irish-rock group Flogging Molly and supporting musicians from Face to Face and lone-wolf fiddle player, Matt Heckler.
First to the mic, solo musician Matt Heckler walks up to the stage and without fanfare he begins belting out some old, country-styled vocals as he elegantly hacks away at his violin. Fans are still filling in the room and they inch forward a little bit closer and listen a little bit harder to take in more. There was so much fun in watching Heckler sharing his tunes with a healthy mix of Irish & Appalachian inspired flair.
Next to the stage is Southern California formed punk rock band Face to Face. Members Trever Keith, Scott, Shifflett, Dennis Hill, and Danny Thompson fill the room with high energy and visibly nostalgic tracks that invoke blood pumping and head banging from wall to wall—including all of the people that were too cool to mess up their mohawks.
Last to the stage is the main attraction for the evening, Irish rock band Flogging Molly. Front man Dave King, along with Bridget Regan, Dennis Casey, Matt Hensley, Nathen Maxwell, Spencer Swain and Mike Alonso strut into the backlit limelight as fans scream and squeal as they spot them picking up their instruments and begin to play. Starting with lively hits such as “(No More) Paddy’s Lament,” “Black Friday Rue” and “The Likes of You Again,” Flogging Molly hits the heart of the crowd and remains steady as Dave King announces “Better late than never…” as regards to the delay from this shows intended date due in early March. King introduces members one by one as songs come and go. We are treated to extended solos, sing alongs and the best of all, a great evening with music and friends.
Lines around the block on this spring evening at The Complex in downtown SLC. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Tour merch available for all the Flogging Molly fans. Photo: @Lmsorenson
T-shirts are going fast! Photo: @Lmsorenson
Joshua and Rebecca got an evening away from the kids to come to the show. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Rob, Gracie and Esther are grabbing some snacks before the show starts. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Santo invited out Rilee and birthday girl, Kaylee for a night of Flogging Molly! Photo: @Lmsorenson
Sarinda and Frank posing for a photo during a smoke break before heading in to watch the music. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Hailing from New York and living in NC, Violin player and vocalist Matt Heckler playing in Salt Lake City. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Matt Heckler opening up the show with a mix of Irish American and Appalachian inspired tunes. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Lone musician Matt Heckler, playing some bluegrass inspired, old country tunes. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Trevor Keith, frontman for the So Cal. group Face to Face. Photo: @Lmsorenson
As lively as the band is on stage, the crowd is twice and intense. Flogging Molly’s Dave King stomping up a storm at The Complex in SLC. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Matt Heckler plays a solo performance of vocals and violin and commands the attention of the whole room. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Face to Face’s Trevor Keith on stage at Salt Lake City. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Face to Face playing to a satisfied, head-banging crowd at The Complex in SLC. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Scott Shiflett, bassist for Face to Face. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Face to Face playing at The Complex in Salt Lake City. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Flogging Molly takes the stage and start playing the favorites. Photo: @Lmsorenson
“Better late than never?!” Flogging Molly’s Dave King laments the delay of the show after early March snowstorms and celebrates end of the tour. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Bassist and punk rock devotee, Nathen Maxwell, on stage with bandmates. Photo: @Lmsorenson
The powerhouse couple of Flogging Molly, Regan Bridget and Dave King playing in Salt Lake City. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Dave King of Flogging Molly on stage at The Complex in SLC. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Tanya and Drew, fans of Face to Face, are standing in line at the merch table. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Flogging Molly on stage at the Complex in downtown Salt Lake City. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Vocalist and guitar player Dave King. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Bassist Nathen Maxwell and accordion player Matt Hensley sharing a mic for some backup vocals. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Flogging Molly playing fan favorites from their Float album such as “(No More) Paddy’s Lament,” “Requiem for a Dying Song” and title track “Float.” Photo: @Lmsorenson
Bob Schmidt and Dennis Casey playing banjo annd guitar while providing back up vocals. Photo: @Lmsorenson
Swaths of fans, hands in the air and hearts full of music while Flogging Molly plays on. Photo: @Lmsorenson
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