The annual Twilight Summer Concert series will start again on Thursday, July 8, with Modest Mouse and Avi Buffalo and continue every Thursday until August 28. The concerts, originally at the Gallivan Center, have moved to Pioneer Park this year to accommodate for the 20,000 plus event goers while the Gallivan Center undergoes a few renovations.
“It will be nice to have a more open spot for the hoards of people,” said SLCC student Mandie Statterfield. “But it’s not as convenient [for] Trax as Gallivan.”
The Gallivan Center has its own Trax stop, which made it very easy for people attending the Twilight Concerts who didn’t want to drive or couldn’t drive. Pioneer Park, located on 400 South and 400 West, isn’t near any Trax stops, but there is parking available on the street around the entire park and it is directly off the freeway.
With Pioneer Park being so close to the homeless shelter, concerns have risen by concert patrons about security at the Twilight Concerts.
“You mean hobo park?” says Mat Macko, SLCC student, “I think there will be escalated crime and/or violence because [the Twilight Concerts are] not at a venue, just at an open park.”
Another problem Series Director Casey Jarman assessed, when looking for a venue for the Twilight Concerts, was being able to keep the stage up for the entire summer because it would be too labor intensive and expensive to set up a stage and take it down once a week. Pioneer Park will be able to accommodate the thousands of people as well as allow the stage to remain erect.
Last year, Iron and Wine, Jenny Lewis, and The Black Keys brought out thousands of people to the Gallivan Center. This year, big names such as Modest Mouse, Matisyahu, Chromeo, Girl Talk, and Big Boi will take the stage during the Twilight Concerts.
Remember, the Twilight Concerts are always free and start Thursday, July 8. Like previous years, it’s always a good idea to arrive early to avoid long lines at the entrance and for beer or wine. Beer and wine will still be served during the concerts for anyone over 21 but bringing bottles of liquor and other alcohol from home is still strictly prohibited.
“[It’s a good idea] to lower beer prices and have more stands so that the lines aren’t so crazy,” says Satterfield.
While lower beer and wine prices aren’t likely, the concerts will be a good and an otherwise cheap way to get out on a Thursday night.