Men at Work and Toad the Wet Sprocket at The Red Butte Garden Amphitheater
August 25, 2026
Utah’s picturesque Red Butte Garden Amphitheater played host to another sold out show last week as Men at Work brought their summer tour to Utah along with special guests Toad the Wet Sprocket and Shonen Knife. With the three different bands on the bill the night had it all. Alternative rock, pop rock, and nostalgia.
The show opened with Japanese pop/punk rock act Shonen Knife taking the stage. Right out of the gate this band had fans on their feet with their infectious energy and upbeat music. The crowd quickly embraced Shonen Knife dancing and clapping along to their songs while the band played with joyful smiles plastered across their faces.
Next up was Toad the Wet Sprocket.
By their set the summer heat was starting to fade away but still refused to let the cool air of the evening settle in yet. The heat didn’t deter the fans though who gave Toad a big loud welcome and rose to their feet dancing through the band’s set. As the sun was setting and the shade crept over the venue the fans started to get some relief from the summer heat and they started singing along and swaying to some of Toad’s biggest hits.
Finally, the sun set and the cool mountain air made its way into the amphitheater just in time for Men at Work to take the stage. The crowd welcomed Colin Hay and the band out onto the stage with loud cheers from the sold-out crowd.
For a crowd that had spent hours on their feet enduring the hot sun, the payoff seemed to reinvigorate them as fans seemed to get a second wind, cheering the band on, calling out for certain songs and dancing in the cooler air.
The site and the cool air turned the night into the kind of setting that makes Red Butte special. Thousands of fans, dancing and listening to the music of a band who helped define an era and has endured long since. As the night came to its close fans started calling out for the songs we knew were coming and when the band broke into “Who Can it Be Now” the fans erupted into a cheer and hands were waving in the air.
Looking around everyone was singing along with their emotions on their faces clearly showcasing their joy at hearing such a huge song played live. When that song finished and “Down Under” hit the speakers it felt as if everyone was feeling the same thing. There’s something about these songs that continue to resonate with fans both old and new and it was a shared experience singing along to the songs with everyone else.
In what turned out to be a perfect night, Shonen Knife brought the energy, Toad the Wet Sprocket brought the familiarity and Men at Work brought the nostalgia and provided the closing chapter to one of the best shows to hit Utah this year.
