May 2025
When Las Vegas’ Life Is Beautiful Music Festival went silent several years ago, the void it left for a positive indie music and arts leaning fest could be felt. Around the same time, Salt Lake City’s Kilby Block Party popped up. Now, in its sixth year, the Utah festival seems to have captured that elixir of an epic lineup touching on electronic, nostalgic and indie music all playing on multiple stages across a festival grounds filled with art installations.
Having grown out of the long running Kilby Court all ages music venue, the Kilby Block Party was a four day event that packed 75 artists onto four stages at the Utah State Fairpark grounds. While the stages were relatively near each other which meant it was quick and easy enough to walk from one to the next, the unfortunate reality of packing so many performers onto the schedule was that you would inevitably be forced to make decisions on who to see and who to miss.
This year’s headliners included 80’s electronic band New Order, Weezer performing their self titled Blue Album, atmospheric indie group Beach House, and electronic duo Justice to close out the long weekend.
What the Kilby Block Party excels at is building up a festival that includes art installations that encourage interaction, whether that be large archways for taking photos or themed pedestals for watching the performances from. The crowds seemed to take delight in interacting with others throughout the event, whether that was at the front of the stages or the numerous times we witnessed groups simply complimenting others’ outfits.
Keep up with updates on the Kilby Block Party on the fest’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
Below are a selection of photos from the 2025 Kilby Block Party:
Check out our coverage of other S&S Presents events:
- Best Friends Forever gathers emo stalwarts for one epic event
- Best Friends Forever turns your emo youth into an epic weekend long festival in Las Vegas!
