Twilight concerts begin Thursday, bringing 7 glorious nights of music

TRAX trains packed with young people in shorts, music echoing along 300 West, lines snaking through Pioneer Park — it might not be Coachella-size chaos, but the annual Twilight Concert Series makes for seven unusually lively nights in Salt Lake City.

The series, held on consecutive Thursdays from July 21 to Sept. 1 in Pioneer Park, has become a summer staple for music lovers. In 2015, it attracted an average of 9,500 people per concert.

The 2016 season kicks off with Australian electronica artist Chet Faker along with Haitian-Canadian electronic musician Kaytranada. Brisk, a DJ who started playing Utah clubs in 2004 before moving to Las Vegas, opens the show.

He is excited to be part of Twilight because "it always features dope, cutting-edge artists."

Twilight closes with the Los Angeles based Fitz and the Tantrums, a band that offers retro soul with a little Motown.

In between, fans will get to experience five other shows, including Big Grams, a collaboration between rapper Big Boi and electronic rock duo Phantogram; EDM favorite DIPLO; Grimes, the stage name for Canadian synth pop artist Claire Boucher; singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis; and a double bill featuring hip-hop artist Pusha T and alternative hip-hop trio Digable Planets.

That mix of internationally successful artists and homegrown openers is part of what draws people to the shows, said program manager Jesse Schaefer. "At a basic level it's a concert, but we try to include locals to make it more unique and fun and special."

And after 29 years of bringing big-name headliners, the Salt Lake City Arts Council plans to make the experience even more unique in 2016.

This year it has partnered with Craft Lake City and will offer a local artists market during shows where guests can get everything from blown glass art to foods. Craft Lake City executive director Angela H. Brown said the collaboration was a natural step for Twilight. "We believe in the importance of shopping local," Brown said. The partnership "gives us the opportunity to bring in our artisans and create awareness of local brands — it's good to reach out to the Twilight demographic."

The craft market joins the legion of local food trucks — including favorites Chow Truck and Cupbop — that take up residence during the show.

"We really want to look at partnering with local organizations to make [the overall experience] more relevant," said Schaefer.

Also new for the season is the VIP Lounge for adults 21 and older, for attendees who want a "different" and less crowded experience, said Schaefer. The VIP Lounge tickets — $25 in advance and $35 day of show ­— give patrons access to special amenities, including private restrooms, a bar and exclusive preshow performances by local DJs.

Regular ticket prices remain the same: $5 in advance and $10 the day of show.

Twilight has come a long way since 1988, when it began at the Gallivan Center. It moved to Pioneer Park in 2010 and is likely to remain.

"We love the space and the area," Schaefer said. "We want to bring people down to Pioneer Park in the hopes of improving it — it's the core of downtown."

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2016 Twilight Concert Series

The 2016 lineup has seven shows, a mix of genres and performers. Gates open at 5 p.m., music begins at 7 p.m. at Salt Lake City's Pioneer Park; enter at the corner of 400 South and 400 West. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 day of show. Cash only.

July 21 • Australian Chet Faker performs a mix of electronic, downbeat and soul

July 28 • Big Grams, a collaboration between rapper Big Boi and electronic rock duo Phantogram

Aug. 4 • DIPLO, electronic dance music

Aug. 11 • Jenny Lewis, American singer-songwriter, with Shannon and the Clams

Aug. 18 • Pusha T, American hip-hop artist; and Digable Planets, an alternative hip-hop trio

Aug. 25 • Grimes, the stage name for Canadian synth pop artist Claire Boucher; with Jagwar Ma

Sept. 1 • Fitz and the Tantrums, modern pop; with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, and The National Parks