SALT LAKE CITY — Utah winter is almost upon us. (It doesn’t technically start till Dec. 21, but c’mon.) And with that, it’s time to huddle together for warmth. Concerts are good for that.
Consider these nine concert suggestions, coming to various downtown Salt Lake venues between now and the end of January.
Booker T. Jones: Nov. 24 at the State Room
This guy has been around. This guy has seen some stuff. The legendary musician and producer returns to Utah with a new album, “Note By Note,” and a new autobiography, “Time is Tight.” The book’s been getting considerable publicity, as it lifts the curtain on Jones’ years with Stax Studios. His State Room visit includes a pre-show reading from “Time is Tight” and a brief Q&A. He’ll also be on hand after the show to greet fans and sign copies of the new book. ($48-$82, thestateroompresents.com)
The 1975: Dec. 2 at Rockwell (the Complex)
Over three sprawling albums (with another on the way), British alt-rockers the 1975 have fused pop, dance, R&B and rock in some unique ways. They headline night one of X96’s Nightmare Before X-Mas shows. Modern bands rarely satisfy both Top 40 purists and music critics alike, but the 1975 are the exception. ($44.96, thecomplexslc.com)
Brandi Carlile: Dec. 6 at Vivint Arena
Brandi Carlile is having a moment. The country crooner’s 2018 release “By The Way, I Forgive You” was among the most acclaimed albums of last year. She followed it up this year with The Highwomen, a country music supergroup featuring Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires. She’s got a big voice, all the better to fill Vivint Arena with. ($33.50-$275, vivintarena.com)
JD McPherson: Dec. 6 at the State Room
This’ll be McPherson’s second State Room visit in 2019. If it’s anything like the first, then buckle up. In a March interview, McPherson told me about his diverse musical upbringing. Bossa nova (Astrud Gilberto), punk (the Ramones), and krautrock (Kraftwerk) all made their way into the mix during those early years, fusing with his love for classic rock and rockabilly, “So I didn’t feel weird about listening to Slayer and Madonna,” he said. This State Room visit will be Christmas-themed, as McPherson and his explosive band play songs from their 2018 Christmas album “Socks.” ($33, thestateroompresents.com)
Snoop Dogg: Dec. 12 at the Depot
The title of Snoop’s new album is “I Wanna Thank Me.” At this point, he’s earned the right to brag. “I Wanna Thank Me” is the rapper’s 17th (!) studio album, and features guest appearances from Wiz Khalifa, Nate Dogg and Swizz Beatz. ($59.75, depotslc.com)
Angel Olsen: Dec. 13 at the Depot
Few albums this year have stunned me like Olsen’s “All Mirrors.” The indie musician sheds the jangly, lo-fi indie-rock of her previous albums for a lush soundscape full of dramatic synths, propulsive rhythms and, oh yes, a full orchestra. Calling an album “cinematic” is a cliche, but hey, if the shoe fits… ($30, depotslc.com)
Cursive, Cloud Nothings: Jan. 18 at Metro Music Hall
This one’s gonna be intense. Generations of emo/hardcore-influenced indie-rock join forces here: Cursive, who first gained prominence in the ’90s; Criteria, who ascended in the mid-2000s; and Cloud Nothings, who have released some of the genre’s best music in the past five years. Sign us up. ($20-$22, metromusichall.com)
Michael Kiwanuka: Jan. 31 at the Depot
That’s Kiwanuka singing on the opening credits of HBO’s “Big Little Lies” (the song “Cold Little Heart”). There’s a lot more great music where that came from. Kiwanuka’s songs feel simultaneously laid back and weary — it’s true soul music. The organic production and arrangements make Kiwanuka sound like a hidden gem from a bygone era. ($22.50, depotslc.com)
King Princess: Jan. 31 at the Union Event Center
Mikaela Mullaney Straus, known by her stage name King Princess, is only 20 years old, but already made one of the best pop albums of 2019. “Cheap Queen” is a soulful, deeply satisfying pop exploration that covers a lot of ground in its 38 minutes. If you like Billie Eilish’s subversive mastery of pop music conventions, you’ll probably like King Princess too. ($32.50, eventbrite.com)
