Kilby Block party is quickly establishing itself as one of the most exciting festivals in the country. While still relatively under the radar on a national scale, it has become a beloved staple among Utah’s music community. Since its debut in 2019, the festival has experienced remarkable growth, evolving from a local event into a major annual event that music lovers eagerly anticipate.
Originally a 3-day affair, this year they decided to expand and add a day, plus a longer line-up featuring 75 artists. This move reflects the festival’s growing ambition and its ability to attract both renowned headliners and emerging talent.
In its early years, Kilby Block Party brought in notable names such as Death Cab for Cutie, Phoebe Bridgers, Mac DeMarco, and Clairo. The 2025 edition continues the tradition with an impressive lineup, welcoming major acts like Beach House, Weezer, Justice, New Order, and Devo. And that’s just scratching the surface. Staying true to its roots, Kilby also spotlighted many rising local bands from Salt Lake’s thriving music community, like Cardinal Bloom, Poolhouse, Molotov Dress, and Hurtado, among others. Leading up to the event, excitement buzzed through the community. For many long-time fans, the chance to see bands they’d admired for years all sharing a stage felt like a dream come true.
For out-of-state visitors, Utah’s natural beauty was an unexpected bonus. Festival goers were fully immersed in the inconsistent weather that Utah’s spring has to offer, yet that only added to the experience. Towering mountains framed the Kilby and Desert stages, while sunsets over the Lake Stage created jaw-dropping backdrops. To accommodate the growing crowd, this year’s festival introduced the Mountain Stage, placed in the park’s rodeo grounds. Elevated seating gave attendees panoramic views of performances in a venue that felt both spacious and intimate.
The overall vibe of the festival was warm, inviting, and carefree. It provided a welcome atmosphere that allowed attendees to truly immerse themselves in the experience. In terms of organization, Kilby excelled. Logistics ran smoothly, with minimal complaints from festivalgoers. There were ample rest areas, interactive mini-games, and an array of vendors, from local food trucks to sponsor booths offering goods and experiences.
One attendee described it best: “It felt like camp.” That sense of nostalgia, connection, and pure joy is what sets Kilby Block Party apart. And how it’s growing, the future is looking bright, both for the festival and for everyone lucky enough to be part of it.
Now to get into the good stuff. The highlights.
Day 1
To kick off the festival, Kilby Block Party launched day one with a bang, featuring legendary acts Devo and New Order as the evening’s headliners.
As anticipation built, fans were decked out in classic Devo gear, including the iconic red Energy Dome hats. When Devo finally took the stage, they delivered an electric performance bursting with energy and charisma. Their set was full of their groundbreaking new wave catalog, and each song met with roars of approval. But the moment everyone was waiting for arrived when the unmistakable opening of “Whip It” rang out and the crowd went wild. Their set at Kilby Block Party was a true standout. For many in the crowd, it was more than just a performance; it was a rare and unforgettable moment in music history, and one of the most memorable sets of the entire festival.
After Devo, the crowd surged toward the Kilby Stage, eager to get as close as possible to the iconic alternative legends, New Order. Fans leaned against the barricade with tears in their eyes and screamed with joy as the band appeared under a wash of soft blue and violet lights. What followed was a moody, atmospheric set elevated by a mesmerizing display of LED visuals that bathed the audience in color. Just when the night couldn’t get any better, the band introduced a surprise guest, Brandon Flowers, the beloved frontman of The Killers. The crowd roared with excitement as Brandon Flowers joined New Order with a performance of “Bizarre Love Triangle.” It was a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime moment, and a collaboration that one could only dream of.
The crowd itself reflected the legacy of these bands. It was a multigenerational mix of longtime fans and curious newcomers, all united by the enduring, timeless quality of Devo and New Order’s music. If there’s one word to capture the essence of day one, it would be nostalgia.
Day 2
You might be asking yourself, “How could the festival possibly improve after last night?” I know I was. But Kilby Block Party didn’t just maintain the momentum, it soared. From Cardinal Bloom, Hovvdy, Built To Spill, Car Seat Headrest, Peter McPoland, Slow Dive, and closing with the ethereal Beach House. The day’s lineup was stacked, each performance adding to an unforgettable festival experience.
As for the night’s headliner, Beach House, their set was nothing short of transcendent. Their performance took the audience on a slow, sweeping emotional ride that felt more like a collective dream than a concert, that had you grasping onto those around you. The band was backlit with a soft ambient glow so you could only see their silhouettes. The moment Alex Scally’s reverb-soaked guitar melodies and drifting synths sound, and Victoria’s velvety smooth vocals are heard, Audience members gasp, swaying gently to the tunes. To experience Beach House live is to understand what it means to feel weightless from their mesmerizing tunes. When the final notes faded, it felt like waking from a beautiful dream you never wanted to leave.
Day 3
As we roll into day 3, the weather took a slight turn, our first rainy day of the festival. Fortunately, it was nothing too intense, with only light showers passing through now and then. Festivalgoers didn’t seem fazed. Dressed in their usual colorful attire, many stayed warm by dancing, beers in hand and spirits high. This day’s lineup was another standout, featuring George Clanton, Panda Bear, Montell Fish, Wisp, Wallows, and of course, the legendary Weezer.
As the evening set in and fans made their way toward the Kilby Stage, excitement buzzed in the air. A large countdown clock appeared on the screen, building anticipation for the night’s headliner, Weezer. With each passing second, the crowd grew louder and packed tighter. Fans stood on their tippy toes as the countdown came to a close and were greeted with a pre-tape of Weezer as astronauts preparing for takeoff. This really set the tone for the rest of their set.
Then, the moment arrived. The band appeared onstage, arms raised, urging the crowd to scream louder, and they did. What followed was a laid-back, high-energy set filled with iconic anthems like “Island in the Sun,” “Say It Ain’t So,” and “Beverly Hills.” Fans sang at the top of their lungs, danced shoulder-to-shoulder, and smiled through every riff and chorus.
By the end of the night, voices were hoarse, arms sore from fist-pumping, and hearts completely full. It was the kind of set that reminded you why you came, for the music, the memories, and moments like this.
Day 4
The final day of Kilby Block Party was a slow start thanks to a heavy rainstorm that swept through Utah, yet that didn’t stop the crowd. Despite the downpour, the turnout was incredible. Fans arrived wrapped in raincoats, tarps, and even makeshift trash bag ponchos, unfazed by the weather. The rain quickly became part of the magic. People danced through puddles, laughed as they got drenched, and moved through the mud like nothing else mattered. Everyone felt like the main character in their own indie film, soaked to the bone, yet glowing with joy.
Sets from artists like Poolhouse and Hannah Frances played out in the rain, with attendees swaying, jumping, and singing along without a care in the world. This was the last day of Kilby Block Party, and no one was going to let a little water keep them from savoring every last second.
For the grand finale, Kilby changed things up in the best way possible by bringing out the iconic electronic duo Justice to close the night. It was the perfect high-energy send-off. As their set began, there seemed to be an unspoken agreement among the crowd: ignore the soreness, forget the tired legs, and give everything you had left.
The crowd moved as one, bodies packed tightly together, jumping in sync with arms raised and hair flying in every direction. The intimacy, the chaos, and the euphoria were all blended into one unforgettable moment. For those who were there, it wasn’t just a concert. It was a communal experience, a release, and a perfect ending to a weekend no one wanted to end.
As the festival came to a close, a quiet weight settled over the crowd. A bittersweet feeling follows as a successful festival comes to an end. There was a sense of shared nostalgia in the air, like a gentle cloud hanging on everyone’s shoulders. Close friends embraced, new friendships formed over the weekend were sealed with hugs, and as people made their way to their cars, conversations echoed with questions like, “Who was your favorite artist this year?” and “I already can’t wait until next year.”
Kilby Block Party is a memorable festival that I highly encourage you to attend. With each passing year, Kilby Block Party strengthens its reputation, suggesting a bright and influential future for the festival. As we wait with anticipation for next year’s lineup, we’ll hold onto the magic of this one, it forever being a weekend we’ll continue to cherish.
