Utah’s finest, Kilby Block Party, will once again host an incredible lineup composed of indie artists from nearly every subgenre. The Salt Lake City festival will make its fifth appearance at the Utah State Fairpark the weekend of May 10, 11 and 12. This year commemorates a special landmark for Kilby Court, Kilby Block Party’s namesake and creator, as it celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2024. As such, the festival organizers went all out, booking incredible artists including Alvvays, Death Cab for Cutie, Dayglow, Courtney Barnett, Peach Pit, and more!
Not only does Kilby Block Party always feature some great national and international artists, but it also does an amazing job highlighting local SLC acts. A few that I’m most looking forward to seeing at the park this year include Blue Rain Boots, Krooked Kings, and Drusky. This will actually be Blue Rain Boots and Krooked Kings’ second time on the Kilby Block Party bill, with both being featured on the 2021 lineup as well. Since then, they each have found their own share of success.
Over the last couple of years, the Krooked Kings have grown exponentially after finding a devoted fanbase on social media. In 2023, the band completed their first major U.S. and European headline tours, stopping in nearly every state across the country. A major tour wasn’t quite enough, though, as they also released their highly anticipated second studio album titled, All Out of Good Days, which helped to skyrocket the band’s popularity even further. This year is shaping up to be just as busy for the Krooked Kings, as they released their surprise third album, Shiver, on March 8. I haven’t managed to catch one of their live sets quite yet, so I am definitely looking forward to seeing them in SLC.
Another great act that I can’t wait to see is indie rock band, Alvvays. With their most recent album in 2022, Blue Rev, being one of my top albums of the year and the recent resurgence in the popularity of their classics, “Marry Me Archie” and “Dreams Tonite,” Alvvays has grown to be one of my favorite bands of the past decade. Kilby Block Party will fall at the end of a month-long spring run for Alvvays and I’m hoping their upcoming break means some new music! I will be sprinting to their stage to see if I can hear any sneak peeks of what is to come for the band!
One of my favorite parts of Kilby Block Party is the SLC setting. Salt Lake City provides a wide array of activities from grabbing a bite at great restaurants, to browsing vintage shops and indie record stores, to hiking and other great outdoor activities. There is a lot to do around the city while you’re in town. A few favorites of mine are The Heavy Metal Shop, Decades Vintage Clothing, Randy’s Records, and Greywhale Entertainment. You can also keep an eye out to see if Kilby Court is hosting any of your favorite artists, or even local acts, during the week of the festival.
Since 1999, Kilby Court has helped to craft the Salt Lake City music scene into what it is today. Over the years, the venue has been a stepping stone for so many amazing artists, and I am sure that there are many yet to come. I will definitely be making the trek to Salt Lake City this May to enjoy 25 years of Kilby’s best in one of my favorite cities in the country. If even a few artists on the lineup stand out to you, Kilby Block Party is worth every penny and you are sure to find your new favorite artist at the park. See you there!
