Kilby Block Party Heats Up: Day Two Highlights From Salt Lake City
Day Two of Kilby Block Party brought a noticeable shift in energy from the day prior. With thousands more in attendance and a stacked lineup, the festival grounds at Utah State Fairpark felt incredibly alive from start to finish.
Kicking things off, local Salt Lake City band Cardinal Bloom delivered a tightly polished set that impressed both longtime fans and first-time listeners. Their crisp sound and confident stage presence gave new fans a peek into the strength of Utah’s local music scene. Kilby Block Party marks an end to their 2025 spring tour, and a chance to hear songs from their debut album, The Only Place I’ve Ever Known, with songs like “12:30,” a very guitar-forward and electric tune, or “Waste Your Time” a perfect song for a spring day in Salt Lake.
Rising 4-piece indie-rock band Momma delivered one of the most high-octane performances of the day. Drawing a larger-than-life crowd, which surprised even the band members themselves, their set balanced grit and polish, showcasing a level of musicianship and charisma that signaled their steady rise in the alt-rock space. They performed songs from their most recent release, Welcome To My Blue Sky, starting with “I Want You (Fever)” and indie-rock and echoey song, full of breath to get the crowd jumping. They carried through with and electric “Last Kiss” and “How to Breathe” and left Kilby Block Party on a high note with “Welcome to My Blue Sky.”
Peter McPoland continued that momentum. His presence alone had fans screaming with anticipation from the pit, creating a charged atmosphere that was incredible to capture. McPoland’s interaction with the crowd and a springy, lively stage dynamic made him a standout of the afternoon. McPoland even performed a cover of Travis Scott’s “FE!N” as a bit, which had fans dying of laughter and jumping along to each beat. His charisma was felt in the crowd through his music, too, with his performance of songs from his most recent album, Friend."
As golden hour set in, Slowdive took the stage, offering an incredibly introspective and sonically rich experience. The band’s signature dream-pop textures and layered instrumentals created a powerful sense of nostalgia, offering a welcome tonal shift amid the day’s more frenetic performances. With a long discography dating back to the early 90s, Slowdive played a variety of their top hits, beginning with the opening track from their most recent album, “shanty.”
Closing out the night, Beach House drew one of the largest crowds of the festival thus far. Their performance felt cinematic — hypnotic lighting, ethereal vocals, and immersively trippy visuals combined to create an atmosphere that was truly, truly surreal. With thousands of fans in attendance for their performance, and a few familiar faces like Dylan Minnette and Emma Chamberlain spotted in the VIP section, the energy was undeniable.
Beyond the performances, the day brought new behind-the-scenes highlights. Band portraits were captured with both Peter McPoland and Wishy, adding a personal layer to the documentation of the festival. As with the previous day, the festival remained impressively organized and safe, with a collaborative and supportive energy among photographers, staff, and attendees.
As Day Two came to a close, Kilby Block Party continued to prove why it’s become a must-attend event for artists and fans alike, and why it’s likely to last.
