The day was July 13. The late afternoon sun beat down mercilessly, seemingly only a few degrees from causing everyone and everything to burst into flames. Such was the setting for The Dig's first show in Salt Lake City at In The Venue, and, as with any good rock show, the crowd came en masse, and they came ready to sweat.

If you don't know The Dig yet, you likely soon will. Word of the New York City-based rock quartet's brand of anthemic rock, showcased on their debut LP Electric Toys, is quickly spreading ahead of their tour dates supporting Thrice (a band that they, in this writer's opinion, at least, easily outdo), packing venues across the States. This evening was no different, with youngsters filling the all-ages venue to near-capacity, which, of course, only added to the sweltering heat.

Something about the heat felt fitting, though; in fact, I remember thinking a few times throughout the show that the heat seemed to almost add to The Dig's set, lending an intensity and sense-overwhelming gravity to it all. That's not to say the show's success was a matter of the temperature, however. On the contrary, the show kicked ass because David Baldwin (guitar, vocals), Emile Mosseri (bass, vocals), Erick Eiser (keys, guitar), and Jamie Alegre (drums) all played with such perfect synchronization, as if they had ten plus years touring together as a band under their collective belt.

We can only wonder how much they'll kick ass when they do have ten plus touring years together.

Photography by Maomi Blackburn