This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Happy New (Music) Year.Last year was a memorable one for local music fans, thanks to concerts by Lady Gaga, Guns N' Roses, Josh Ritter, Brandi Carlile and U2 delivering performances that reminded us there's more to life than the endless cycle of sleeping and working.But 2012 already promises plenty to look forward to, with several big names as well as notable smaller names that will keep concertgoers busy.Here's a schedule of just some of the concerts scheduled for the first six months of 2011. Ready, steady, go.JANUARY18 • Chamber Music Society of Salt Lake City presents the Pacifica Quartet at Libby Gardner Hall.21 • Utah Opera unveils Giuseppe Verdi's "Rigoletto" at Capitol Theatre.21 • Zac Brown Band brings Jimmy Buffett spirit to Maverik Center.27 • Brad Paisley presents non-Stadium of Fire show with Scotty McCreery and The Band Perry at Maverik Center.28 • The Jayhawks have reunited and bring their unique take on alt-country to The State Room.28 • Blind Pilot headlines Urban Lounge in the top-selling show at 24Tix.30 • Westminster College's conclusion of two-part presentation of Bach's complete sonatas and partitas for solo violin at Vieve Gore Concert Hall.FEBRUARY1 • Jazz trumpeter and bandleader Terence Blanchard and his quintet set to groove at Capitol Theatre.3 • Utah Symphony unleashes Beethoven's Fifth Symphony at Abravanel Hall.6 • Folk songbird Judy Collins begins a three-night engagement at Park City's Egyptian Theatre.12 • The NOVA Chamber Music Series performs Bach, Mozart and Stravinsky at Libby Gardner Concert Hall.14 • Lady Antebellum perform their first headlining arena show in Utah at EnergySolutions Arena (above)20 • Sultry, gifted jazz vocalist Jane Monheit headlines Capitol Theatre.27 • Utah Chamber Artists performs Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms in Libby Gardner Concert Hall.MARCH2 • Touring production of "Rock of Ages" begins a two-day stand at Kingsbury Hall.3 • Leftover Salmon treats jam-band fans at nonsmoking venue The Depot.6 • Runner-up in 2011's "The Voice" and Utah native Dia Frampton hits The Complex.10 • Utah Opera makes "Elixir of Love" at Capitol Theatre.12 • Salty Cricket Composers Collective programs an evening of works for the organ at Libby Gardner Concert Hall.19 • Kenny Barron, one of the best jazz pianists working today, brings his quintet to Capitol Theatre.20 • Kelly Clarkson headlines Maverik Center with guest Matt Nathanson.31 • Pint-size opera singer Jackie Evancho makes the jump from "America's Got Talent" to the Maverik Center.APRIL1 • Utah Symphony music director Thierry Fischer makes his debut on the NOVA Chamber Music Series.9 • Michel Camilo, a genre-bending pianist, finishes off the JazzSLC season at Capitol Theatre with his Latin Trio.13 • Utah Symphony performs Beethoven's Third Symphony, "Eroica," at Abravanel Hall.19 • Celtic Woman's "Believe" tour headlines EnergySolutions Arena.22 • Guitar master Joe Bonamassa displays virtuosity at Abravanel Hall.28 • Country star Martina McBride headlines Tuacahn in Ivins.29 • Ambient indie pop sounds of French group M83 fill In The Venue.30 • Utah Chamber Artists presents a spring concert at Libby Gardner Concert Hall.MAY1 • Utah Valley Symphony performs Mahler's Second Symphony at the Covey Center for the Arts.3 • Grammy Award-winning Christian rock band Third Day headlines Abravanel Hall.5 • Utah Opera sings "Of Mice & Men."25 • Meat & Potato Theatre opens "Aliens: The Puppet Musical" at Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center.25 • Country singer Mark Wills, who won an ACM in 1998 for Top New Male Vocalist, performs at Draper Amphitheater.26 • Young Dubliners blazes through Celtic rock at Gallivan Center.29 • "Million Dollar Quartet" launches a six-day run at Capitol Theatre.JUNE2 • After the 2011 flood, Ogden Music Festival finds a new home at Eden's North Fork Park.16 • Vans Warped Tour launches at the Utah State Fairpark.21 • The Glenn Miller Orchestra performs at Capitol Theatre.21 • The concerts of the Utah Arts Festival begin at Library Square.23 • Groovacious Records' Groovefest American Music Festival opens in Cedar City.