Kilby Block Party returned for the 6th time to SLC with an EPIC weekend of music and moshing
Kilby Block Party made its sixth appearance at the Utah State Fairpark this last weekend, and boy, was it a good time. Featuring a diverse set of nightly headliners, Turnstile, The XX, and Lorde, the crowd was a mixed bag. One thing was for certain, though: they were willing to mosh to whoever was on stage. In the age of the “iPhone-concert-epidemic”, KBP weekend was a refreshing burst of bliss from being surrounded by a true music-loving crowd.
We started off the weekend strong and early, arriving at the festival just after doors on Friday morning. We wanted to get a head start on the crowds so that we could check out some of the vendor booths available at the festival. Every year, Kilby brings in some spectacular local and national vendors that are always curated to the indie crowd, and this year was no different. From the local film and camera store Essential Photo to brands like Skullcandy and Kodiak Cakes, there was truly something for everyone. Throughout the weekend, we managed to hit nearly every booth. Decked out in hairtinsel, Cotopaxi bags, Slug Mag merch, and, most importantly, Sun Bum sunscreen, we were ready to take on whatever the weekend brought.
Another great reason to get there early is, of course, the small acts that grace the lineup every year. Kilby Block Party does a great job of highlighting the local Salt Lake City music scene. This year, some local favorites that I will be adding to my playlist include Bad Luck Brigade, a funky jazz rap group, and Dad Bod, a classic homage to the SLC indie scene.
As Friday progressed, we found ourselves pulled back and forth between all four stages, trying to catch a glimpse of every act we could. A strong favorite from the day was Irish-based post-punk band, NewDad, who took on the main stage. They are currently finishing up a tour with another KBP artist, Freak Slug, and I would definitely recommend catching a set if you have the chance. Some other great acts from Friday included Drugdealer, Japanese Breakfast, and SLC’s own, Ritt Momney. Despite the heat, the anticipation for Friday’s headliner, Turnstile, loomed heavy in a cloudless sky. I knew going into the weekend that Turnstile was going to be my favorite act, and I certainly was not disappointed. Eager for their set to begin, we made our way up into the densest part of the crowd, trying to set ourselves up in what was sure to be one hell of a mosh pit. As soon as the stage went dark and the first drum hit sounded through the air, we quickly saw that our prediction was correct. The entire crowd swayed back and forth before opening up into a series of large mosh pits on every side of us. We quickly joined one that would help push us to the outer edge to ensure that our feet would stay on the ground, and spent the rest of the set surrounded by the single best crowd I have ever been a part of. Not a phone in sight, simply screaming, cheering, dancing, moshing fans as far as the eye could see, making for a perfect end to the opening day.
After a good meal and a great night’s sleep, we were back at the festival for day two. Our goal for the day was to make our way through the food lineup, and we sure did. Kilby’s dining experience had something for every point in the day: coffee trucks to cure your midday fatigue, an assortment of cuisines to fuel your dancing feet, and, of course, ice cream and fresh donuts to satisfy your sweet tooth. Just like the music lineup, there was something for everyone.
Another favorite part of mine is the skateboard tournament that the festival hosts annually. Kilby Block Party brings in some of the best skateboarders in the world to compete in a series of games and tournaments throughout the weekend. This year, it was hosted by Skullcandy, so naturally, they also have an amazing DJ to curate the vibe. Being in a crowd of people staring at a stage from open to close every day can be exhausting, which is why taking a break to watch some incredible athletes compete serves as the perfect mental pause to prepare you for rejoining the moshing.
When we weren’t gorging ourselves on delicious food or catching the Skullcandy Crusher Cup, we were at a stage, catching the acts. The Saturday bill was strong, featuring up-and-coming Irish alternative band Cardinals; indie-classic Briston Maroney; the most theatrical act, The Last Dinner Party; and of course, headliner The XX. I was largely unfamiliar with The XX, but the person I came with, a 2014 Tumblr warrior, could not have been more excited. The end of night two lacked moshing, but made up for it in the sentimental tears of the thousands of late Gen Zs and millennials on all sides of me. It was a great way to end Saturday evening.
Finally, in what seemed like no time, it was Day 3, the last day. Unfortunately, the weather throughout the weekend was on a steady decline, so Sunday was cold and rainy. The crowds persisted, though, with 30,000 fans making their way into the Fairpark. We aimed to hit all the stops we had missed on days one and two: The Silent Disco, the art exhibition, the arcade, and the record booth. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: the KBP team really knows how to curate a festival.
Sunday was perhaps the most stacked day on the lineup. Bucketlist acts graced the setlist from open to close, and we had to visit every stage to catch them all. With a bill as strong as Sunday’s, fans were forced to make the hard decisions about which acts they would be willing to miss and which would be prioritized; a good problem to have. We started the day with This is Lorelai, a derivative of Water from Your Eyes, and an act that I think will be huge in the coming years. The group is absolutely overflowing with talent, and I cannot wait to see more from them soon, following the record deal they signed last week. A few other favorites from the day included Flipturn, American Football, Magdalena Bay, the aforementioned Freak Slug, and of course, my day three headliner, Miss Paramore herself. All 30,000 attendees crowded the mainstage for Hayley Williams’s first-ever festival appearance. Following the release of her surprise album, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, last fall, she has been on a generational run of headlining dates under her own name, selling out nearly every show, and for good reason. Williams put on one of the best performances of the entire weekend, entrancing the crowd and, in classic Hayley Williams fashion, being completely outspoken about important causes that she holds close to her heart.
Kilby Block Party 6 was one of the best weekends of my entire life. Every year, the festival gets better and better, and I cannot wait to see what they have in store for us in 2027. Catch you at the Fairpark next year!
