Unlike most attendees, and even some members of the press, I didn’t come to Kilby Block Party for Lorde or Hayley Williams. While I appreciate them both, and Grimy Goods has been covering them since before they were headliners, I came purely to Kilby to experience the festival for the first time, as well as to see some rising acts that Grimy Goods has been spotlighting for years, along with some classic indie blog-house-era bands I’ve loved since their infancy, particularly The xx.
I’ve always wanted to attend Kilby Block Party in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, when you live in Los Angeles—the capital of concerts and music festivals, especially for indie music—it’s hard to leave your cozy bubble when some of the best live music in the world is just minutes away. Historically, my month of May has been spent at Brookside Park at the Rose Bowl for my two favorite music festivals: Just Like Heaven, with its nostalgic indie focus, and Cruel World, heavy on the post-punk and darkwave. Considering I live in Pasadena, those events give me quite the home-court advantage, and you really can’t beat that.
However, neither festival was happening this May. Just Like Heaven was moved to August, and I still have no idea what’s going on with Cruel World. Considering how bangin’ the Kilby Block Party lineup was this year—as it is every year—I knew it was finally time for us to book a flight and head to SLC.
Right off the bat, I loved how close everything was. From the airport to our hotel at The Little America, and of course, the festival grounds, everything was quick and fairly affordable to navigate via Uber (minus the surge hours). We attempted to use SLC’s TRAX light rail system, which is very convenient, but after the festival it was absolutely jam-packed. I’m talking wall-to-wall sardines in a can. We never made it on and opted to Uber as we had an afterparty to make at Urban Lounge (which was a really good time with Sports).
What I loved most about Kilby Block Party was how welcoming the energy felt. Los Angeles has a reputation for being pretentious, which can definitely be true in certain pockets—especially within the glamorous corners of the entertainment industry, including music. But at KBP, the vibe felt genuine. Sure, there were some kids holding their phones up the entire time, but the majority of attendees were real music lovers there for the music, not for the ‘gram.
Kilby Block Party felt like what Coachella used to be. I remember my first Coachella experience in 2006 and being amazed by the sense of community I had found—a feeling that now seems lost beneath corporate sponsorships and vapid influencers buying followers. At Kilby Block Party, none of that was felt. They waved their indie flag high, from the organizers to the bands they booked, and it genuinely felt like home. Despite the rain and brisk temperatures on day three, everyone remained warm and welcoming.
The layout of the festival’s four stages was also incredibly easy to navigate, with plenty of room to dance or work your way toward the barricade for your favorite act. Unlike some major music festivals—particularly in Southern California—there weren’t hordes of kids camping out for hours just to see the headliner. I was able to secure incredible spots for both Turnstile and The xx simply by getting to the VIP section about 15 to 20 minutes before each set began. Now, getting out was a different story.
The food options were solid, though they can’t quite compete with Los Angeles. Then again, not many cities can outside of New York. Both cities are cultural melting pots, and those flavors naturally spill into their music festivals. Shoutout to the steak bites and fries, as well as the Hawaiian food truck.
The adult beverages were, well, weak. I mean, we are in Salt Lake City, so that was as expected. Let’s just say a festival buzz didn’t come easy, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially for those of us who aren’t trying to get toasted. The most popular beverage station, however, was the cute little lavender coffee truck. The line was unfortunately ginormous. Kilby, please add two more of these coffee trucks next year.
While I was at Kilby Block Party covering the festival as a member of the press, I’m always a fan first and foremost. I get in there and dance, clap, cheer, and mess around in the pit. You won’t catch me wasting an entire day in the press lounge, no matter how exhausted I am. I was honestly surprised to see so many younger Gen Z aspiring concert photographers and bloggers/journalists just hanging out there for hours and missing so many incredible acts, especially the early afternoon sets. They don’t make them like the aughts did.
Back in my day, when I was covering festivals throughout my 20s and 30s, we ran ourselves ragged trying to catch every band possible with minimal breaks in between—not because the job demanded it, but because we were genuinely excited about discovering new music within the growing indie scene. We were cultivating a community. I didn’t really get that sense from a lot of the newcomers this time around, but I guess that’s content creator culture for you. There are those of us who are fans first and deeply embedded in this indie music scene (not just the big acts), and then there are those who aren’t.
That said, Kilby Block Party had one of the best press lounges I’ve ever experienced. It was housed in a building with plenty of air conditioning, couches, tables, chairs, and floor space, and several booths set up for artist interviews. Some even included ring lights (nothing pro, but helpful), cozy, colorful decor, and comfortable seating. It was spacious and consistently stocked with snacks and water (but we were dying for coffee!). And of course, all the O.G. photogs and journalists we met, whether from SLC or abroad, were pretty damn amazing people. It was nice to meet so many talented, friendly folks. Photo pits and press lounges can also get pretentious, especially in L.A.
The only downfall was the lack of easy bathroom access. The nearest restroom was just steps away through the artist compound, but while some of us had access, the majority did not. That really hindered the speed and efficiency of press coverage, both when conducting interviews and when rushing off to cover the next act. So next year, Kilby: please give the press—who are providing you with so much coverage and pouring in so much blood, sweat, and tears—easier bathroom access.
I also loved that Kilby Block Party ended relatively early, around 10 p.m. Some festivals go until midnight, so it was refreshing to see headliners performing as early as 9 p.m., and in some cases even 7 p.m., like Hayley Williams (who is headliner status).
Where Kilby’s true strength lies is in its lineup. Staying true to its indie roots, this three-day music festival hasn’t veered in the wrong direction. The headliners still feel authentically indie. You won’t see Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, or Bad Bunny on this lineup. Instead, you’ll find bands from the modern and early indie scenes, alongside mainstream indie acts that have grown into full-fledged rock stars, such as Lorde and, of course, Turnstile, who once existed firmly within the hardcore punk underground.
While I’ve seen many of the bands on this year’s Kilby lineup—and Grimy Goods has covered even more of them countless times—I was able to be selective with who I dedicated my time to this year. I’m a mama and in my 40s now, and I’ve been doing this for a long time. Unless it’s Just Like Heaven or Cruel World, it is very rare that I personally cover a music festival, let alone a 3-day music festival. I usually assign those to my incredible team of photographers and writers. However, since this was our first Kilby and only two of us flew out with a focus on artist interviews, we didn’t go as hard trying to catch tons of bands, especially the ones we’ve covered many times.
With that said, here were some of my favorite performances from Kilby Block Party.
The xx
My first time seeing The xx was in 2009 at the Fonda (Hollywood). The trio opened for Friendly Fires. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked on this incredibly talented group of good humans whose music has the ability to bring you to tears. That’s what happened to me during their Kilby Block Party set. To say I LOVE this band would be an understatement. Each member is so uniquely talented, whether performing as The xx or in their own solo projects. For me, their music defines an indie generation, especially songs like “Islands,” “Intro,” and “Crystalised.” These are the songs that soundtracked some of Grimy Goods’ first show reviews. They will always remind me of some incredibly good times, along with heartbreak and growth. Leaving your 20s and entering your 30s is such a learning leap.
As I watched them perform from my primo spot, I couldn’t bear experiencing these special moments without my husband (aka my best friend and business partner). It wasn’t easy leaving my prime placement, nor the woman who joined me in a good cry and became my xx buddy, but I eventually left and went to the most outer layer of The xx’s massive crowd just to be with mi amor. He was snapping away in the photo pit, and after exiting, it was too packed for him to join me. The xx had a thicker crowd than Turnstile. Despite my terrible view, I enjoyed their performance all the more, wrapped in my husband’s arms and then breaking free so we could bust a groove as soon as their Jamie xx-led dance tracks took over.
Halfway through, singer and bassist Oliver Sim shared a touching story with the crowd. He pointed out a fan named Donovon (watch the video), who had been attending their shows with his mother since he was a child.
“Can I just say, we have a fan here called Donovon, who I first met about 10 years ago,” shared Sim. “He used to come to our shows with his mum when he was a child, and I’m now seeing him for the first time as an adult.”
Sim waved at Donovon as the crowd erupted in cheers. Cameras captured Donovon with tears glistening in his eyes while the audience began chanting his name.
What a beautiful new show memory to add to the festival vault that lives in a cranny of my brain.
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Turnstile
While Grimy Goods has been covering Turnstile for over a decade, I personally hadn’t seen them live in at least 10 years. Anytime they were performing material from their new album Never Enough in Los Angeles, I was either traveling or busy doing my most important job: being a mother.
Turnstile has always brought raw punk energy, but seeing their newer wave of fans—many of whom discovered them through recent releases—gave their live show an entirely new perspective. There’s noticeably more community, care, and inclusivity within the crowd. Women are welcomed into the pit and supported the same way anyone else would be if they fell.
Turnstile’s performances have evolved beyond just the band itself. They now share the spotlight with their sea of fans, who create their own spectacle through constant crowd surfing, stage diving whenever the opportunity is available, as well as with the ASL interpreters they proudly feature onstage (watch it all in our video). That inclusivity is one of the most beautiful aspects of Turnstile. The love they project is felt throughout the entire performance. I haven’t witnessed something that joyful in a very long time.
Die Spitz
Austin’s Die Spitz was high on my must-see list. Although Grimy Goods covered the band last year in a small club packed with maybe 200 fans, I had never personally seen them live.
Similar to Turnstile, the draw isn’t just their wildly energetic and animated performances—it’s also the crowd they inspire. The audience mirrors the band’s intensity and often delivers just as much entertainment through nonstop crowd surfing.
The real MVP of the show, however, was the security guard stationed at the barricade with the long black wavy hair. Someone needs to give that man a raise. He made sure every single fan safely made it across the barrier after surfing over a sea of heads during songs like “Riding With My Girls” and “Throw Yourself to the Sword.” He brought the kind of welcoming energy every security guard on the front lines should bring. Take note.
Freak Slug
The vibes turned delightfully witchy when Manchester’s Freak Slug took the stage. They conjured a cold and windy set, but that didn’t stop fans from packing the Desert Stage, dancing, singing, and crowd-surfing to songs like “Spells.”
Although Grimy Goods had covered Freak Slug in a small club setting last year, I personally hadn’t experienced Xenya Genovese live yet. I’ve spent countless hours listening to her music, and it absolutely did not disappoint live—in fact, it was even better.
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Recordings like “Spells” and “Radio” initially grabbed my attention, but the live setting is where the magic truly happens. That’s what’s so special about discovering a band online, becoming obsessed with their music, and then finally seeing them live and realizing: wow, they’re actually incredible. It’s all about how the live show resonates, and Freak Slug definitely had it going on.
Personality-wise, Xenya is a confident lil firecracker. Stay tuned for our interview.
KennyHoopla
Staying true to my punk and indie-rock roots, there was no way I was missing KennyHoopla. While rain and technical difficulties attempted to derail his set, they ultimately failed. Instead, KennyHoopla showed the downpour exactly what was up, and just a few songs into the set, the rain actually stopped.
Fans remained in their raincoats and trash-bag ponchos while pogoing through Kenny’s turbulent pop-punk performance. The dude moved like a tornado across the stage and had no problem launching himself beyond the barricade and into the crowd. Fans were more than happy to carry him safely back toward the stage.
This guy is a legitimate rock star.
The Last Dinner Party
The big dogs came out once The Last Dinner Party hit the Lake Stage, and wow, did they pull a massive crowd.
It was especially cool hearing their new song “Big Dog” performed live, considering Grimy Goods covered the band at the Fonda Theatre in 2024 when they debuted the track for the very first time. The guitar-heavy song officially dropped just a few weeks ago, and now fans can finally stream it endlessly.
The Last Dinner Party always delivers a special performance. Every member carries undeniable swagger behind their instrument, while Abigail Morris proves herself to be a magnetic frontwoman. She moves across the stage like a magical pixie, dancing effortlessly alongside her bandmates while constantly engaging with the audience and making fans feel deeply appreciated.
Stay tuned for more interview clips with The Last Dinner Party—we’ve already shared a few.
Gelli Ha Ha
We got into the Gelliverse with Angel Abaya, the music artist behind Gelli Haha. Based in Los Angeles, it was awesome to see a hometown artist who has graced many small club stages command a massive crowd at a major music festival. If you don’t know about Gelli Haha, and you love indie pop, dance punk, and art pop, this is your sign to start hearing her music and catching them live. Gelli Haha’s debut album, Switcheroo, was just released this past March, and it is a wonderfully weird banger.
At Kilby, fans bounced into the vibrant Gelliverse as Gelli hypnotized us with songs like “Spit” (watch our video interview where we dissect the track, slinkies and all), “Bounce House,” “Normalize,” and many more. From the theatrics, dance moves, props, and colorful fashion, Gelli Haha knows how to put on a performance that is a unique feast for the senses.
Ben Kweller
And then there was Ben Kweller, truly, the singer-songwriter voice of the indie generation. This guy is a folk rock hero and one of the most beloved songwriters of our time. My partner was over the moon to see him perform live after so many years. Naturally, since he is a mega fan, I gave him this Grimy Goods TV interview (stay tuned, we’ll be sharing more clips on YouTube and Instagram). And can I just say, Ben was the most delightful being. That guy radiates good vibes.
Fans sang along with warmth as Kweller took us through longtime fan favorites like “Falling,” “In Other Words,” and “Make It Up.” Touring in support of his new album, Cover The Mirrors, his first new music since the passing of his 16-year-old son Dorian Zev in 2023, this made his performance all the more heartfelt. And considering his music is already straight from the heart, the crowd was overflowing with emotion.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Between my aching muscles and watching Clap Your Hands Say perform “The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth,” I was really feeling old, but in a great way. To be at the helm of the indie music scene, which has now exploded into what it is today, it’s artists like Alec Ounsworth and his band Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, that were giving us early music bloggers something to get excited about, something to write about.
Continuing to celebrate 20 years of CYHSY’s self-titled debut album, Ounsworth sounded mint. His signature voice dazzled our millennial hearts. Almost 21 years later, and he’s still pulling that incredible vocal work as though it were 2005. Songs like “Is This Love” and, of course, “The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth” got the crowd jammin’ out and dancing across the grassy field.
Another standout songwriter of the indie generation, CYHSY’s performance sparked so many memories from my young adulthood. Hearing “Satan Said Dance” and “Ketamine and Ecstasy” was a beautiful trip. And it was especially interesting to hear “Satan” blasted out to thousands of fans in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Sports
With the golden sun glowing through the trees, Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Sports, couldn’t have performed at a better time than magic hour. And boy, did the crowd show up for this smooth duo. Cale and Christian make delicious indie pop with a drip of alt R&B. The boys lit up the stage with their groovelicious sounds. Even the purple decorative orbs on stage flashed as though they were moving to their funky beats. Sports easily charmed the crowd with songs from their new self-titled album. It’s one of those albums where people often say, “That’s baby-making music.”
While Sports were a highlight at Kilby Block Party, it was even better seeing them live at the Urban Lounge after party. The band played an intimate sold-out show, taking the stage around midnight for those of us who found a second (or third) wind. There’s just something special about seeing such a magnetic group in a small club setting where the feels are hot and sweaty, and you’re literally rubbing elbows with the person next to you. And judging by the aodring yells, the crowd absolutely melted for Sports. Stay tuned for our Grimy Goods TV interview with the duo.
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Style & Function: Impress friends at your next party
There were so many great artists and bands at Kilby Block Party. While these were my personal favorite sets, we also experienced surreal moments from Hayley Williams, Melody’s Echo Chamber, Magdalena Bay, Nadezhda, Gonk, and more. Check out our photo gallery for some of our favorite moments from the crowd, fans, bands, festival style, and more.
All in all, Kilby Block Party was a 10. This is what a music festival should feel like.
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