Palak JayswalRed Butte Garden announced its third show of the season for the upcoming Outdoor Concert Series on Thursday morning.
American singer-songwriter Jesse Wells, whose stage name is Jesse Welles, will make a stop on his Red Tour at the Utah venue on Aug. 14.
Welles, a Grammy Award-nominated artist, is known for writing songs that blend the roots of folk music with the news of our times in a true protest song format.
(Chris Pizzello | AP) Jesse Welles speaks during the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.
He’s written songs about the death of Charlie Kirk (“Charlie”), the war in Gaza (“War Isn’t Murder”), the American healthcare industry (“United Health”) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“Join ICE.”)
In “Join ICE,” Welles sings, “Well, if you’re lookin’ for purpose in the current circus. If you’re seekin’ respect and attention. If you’re in need of a gig that’ll make you feel big. Come with me and put some folks in detention.”
Red Butte previously announced a show on June 11 with ‘80s synth-pop band The Human League and another on July 12 with Icelandic rock band KALEO. An Aug. 23 Ray LaMontagne show, rescheduled from 2025, is already sold out.
The full lineup for the concert series will be released on April 7.
The presale for Welles’ show starts on April 27 at 7 p.m. for Garden Members and May 1 at 10 a.m. for the public. General admission tickets will cost $55. He’ll be joined by Chicago rock band Ratboys.
Palak Jayswal is an award-winning journalist who covers culture/music at The Tribune. She graduated from the University of Utah and has lived in Utah her entire life. Her work spans areas of coverage in the cultural world. She loves writing about how culture —and the people who create it— shape life in Utah. She aspires to write for Rolling Stone.