Show Review: Lord Huron & Kevin Morby (UCCU Center, 10/21/2025)

Coming off of their recent release, The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1 (full album review here), Lord Huron brought their concept album vividly to life during their performance at The UCCU Center in Orem, UT. Joining them for this leg of tour was Kevin Morby, who opened the evening with a brief but electrifying 30-minute set. He brought big energy, turning any previously-non-privy audience members into fans by the end of his performance. One elderly usher even confided to me that he was so impressed, he planned to add Morby’s music to his personal library. A standout moment from Morby’s set was Cochemea’s saxophone playing – a soulful addition that elevated the live show.

From the first notes of “Who Laughs Last,” the crowd rose to their feet and remained standing for the entirety of Lord Huron’s two-hour set. The show unfolded like a theatrical experience, interwoven with a mysterious narrative. Between songs, a man in a wide-brimmed hat appeared onstage, answering fate’s call on the solitary payphone. Warning him of fate’s unforgiving nature, the man proceeds with what seems to be a quest entangled with a love story. He later reappears, joined by a woman in a white dress, for a haunting dance sequence. Lord Huron really put the time and effort into creating a show that was truly a “show” – a performance just as conceptually immersive as the album on record.

Midway through the set, frontman Ben Schneider addressed the crowd, reflecting on The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1, and the importance of physical media. He emphasized the value of listening to an album in its entirety, as intended. In an era where cohesion in albums is often lost, Schneider’s profound statement served as a firm reminder of how an artist like himself continues to thrive after 15 years of putting out music, and picking up new fans with each release. When asked about a Cosmic Selector Vol. 2, he teased with a grin: “Who the hell knows?”

Lord Huron’s stage set up was more of a theatrical set than your typical band arrangement. Towering boulders created layered terrain, shrouded in fog, with the band perched atop them. The stage was complete with a few interactive props: a giant jukebox, a wall of analog televisions, and a payphone that doubled as a microphone, adding a subtle “telephone effect” to Schneider’s vocals when he belted out into it. The payphone also served as an alternate camera angle, offering intimate close-ups projected onto the massive screen behind the band.

The UCCU Center was a last-minute venue change from the more centrally location Union, sparking frustration among fans on the r/lordhuron subreddit. Some even sold their tickets in protest. The new venue, located about 30 minutes outside Salt Lake City, was not only less convenient to reach, but it also enforced a strict no-alcohol policy – an unpopular move for many attendees. Still, the change allowed for a larger audience and the show ultimately sold out for a second time. The roughly six-thousand-strong crowd brought palpable energy, lining up well before doors opened to secure floor seats, while the rest of the arena filled to capacity.

Despite the controversial venue change, Lord Huron delivered a performance that transcended your typical concert experience. Their commitment to storytelling, theatricality, and sonic immersion brought tangibility to songs from The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1, while seamlessly weaving in certified classics from their catalogue. Nearly half the set drew from earlier releases, culminating in a powerful finale with two beloved songs from their 2015 release, Strange Trails. Lord Huron offered a compelling reminder of their discography throughout the years, and with a crowd fulled with longtime fans and newcomers alike, they proved the timelessness that their music holds.