15 Acts to See at Kilby Block Party 2024

Annie DiRusso
Kilby Stage, 12:15-12:45pm
RIYL: Samia, Liza Anne

I first discovered indie singer-songwriter Annie DiRusso a few years ago while she was on tour with Samia, one of our faves. I loved her music so much that I made sure to get to the Samia show early to catch her set, something that is hard for me to do, but something that almost always pays off.

DiRusso, who grew up in New York and is currently based in Nashville, has several years of live performing experience and always delivers a fun and interactive set. If you’re a fan of any of the indie musicians in Staged Haze’s rotation, I definitely think you’ll find something to enjoy in Annie DiRusso’s music as well. – Kristin

Joanna Sternberg
Mountain Stage, 1:25-1:55pm
RIYL: The Moldy Peaches, Squirrel Flower

Joanna Sternberg is one of two Joanna’s performing Friday, May 10, at Kilby Block Party. But unlike Joanna Newsom’s hour-long set later in the night, New York-based musician Joanna Sternberg is playing a shorter set earlier in the day. Neither should be passed up, though.

Joanna Sternberg’s music is lo-fi, oftentimes heartbreaking and always endearing—it feels as if you’re listening to a friend talk about their highs and lows. Their releases, including last year’s I’ve Got Me, Sternberg’s second album, are produced with a light touch—so you have a good idea of what you’re getting into when seeing them perform live. – Erin

Abby Sage
Desert Stage, 2-2:30pm
RIYL: BNNY, Tommy Lefroy

After years of opening for artists like Suki Waterhouse, Toronto-based singer Abby Sage is primed to step into the limelight. The Kilby Block Party is Sage’s third stop on the singer’s current, limited tour. With only eight stops, including four in Europe, Sage’s set is a rare opportunity to see one of the most interesting, on-the-rise, dream-pop musicians. 

Another reason to see Abby Sage? The singer’s debut album, The Rot, was released March 1, and is definitely in contention for one of the best albums released so far this year. The Rot is a dreamy, masterful work of alt-pop, and proves that Sage is an artist to keep an eye on. – Erin

Blondshell
Mountain Stage, 2:35-3:20pm
RIYL: Soccer Mommy, Samia

Blondshell is currently at the forefront of the music scene, making waves with her raw and authentic sound. Having already captivated audiences as the opening act for legendary Liz Phair, Blondshell’s star is undoubtedly on the rise. Her upcoming feature on the Stop Making Sense Tribute Album by A24 Music is further testament to her growing recognition and influence in the industry.

At the Kilby Block Party, Blondshell promises a live performance that will be nothing short of electrifying. Hailing from New York but now based in the creative hub of L.A., Sarah Teitelbaum infuses her alternative music with a refreshing honesty that resonates deeply with listeners. With an exciting lineup of festivals lined up for the summer, catching Blondshell live is an opportunity not to be missed. – Jesse

Yoke Lore
Desert Stage, 5:10-6:10pm
RIYL: Vance Joy, Lord Huron

Adrian Galvin, better known as Yoke Lore, is one of my favorite names that came up in this lineup. On top of being an amazing musician (including having been Walk The Moon’s drummer), he seems to be in so much more than just the music—his background includes visual arts, poetry, and even dance: all aspects of his life that make his songs and overall performances an incredible and must-see spectacle.

At 34-years-old, Adrian is still only at the beginning of his solo career, and after touring as Chelsea Cutler’s opener during her last tour, his confidence and stage presence must’ve only gotten better in the past year. I am positive the New Yorker won’t disappoint with his folky-pop tunes, similar to those of powerhouses like Mt. Joy and The Lumineers, making his set one that any casual-goer will be lucky to witness. –Javi

Boyfriend Sushi Town 
Desert Stage, 11:45-12:10pm
RIYL: Ex Pilots, community college

There’s exciting bands traveling from all over the globe to play at Kilby Block Party, but Boyfriend Sushi Town doesn’t have to travel far. The Salt Lake City-based band is hitting the desert stage at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, and theirs is definitely a set that I won’t be missing.

Boyfriend Sushi Town is one of my most recent music finds that I’ve become instantly enamored by. I love the versatility in their sound—the band’s 2023 album Player ranges from alt-country to a heavy emo and hardcore sound, and that’s just in the album’s first two tracks. – Erin

Fazerdaze
Kilby Stage, 1:25-1:55pm
RIYL: Alvvays, Slow Pulp

I’m excited to attend Kilby Block Party and see artists that I’ve loved for a while, like The Postal Service and 100 gecs, but another reason that I can’t wait for the Salt Lake City festival is because the festival’s incredibly-curated lineup gives me an opportunity to find great music that I’ve never heard before. Fazerdaze is one of those finds that I can’t wait to see live.

Fazerdaze is the stage name of New Zealand-based musician Amelia Rahayu Murray, who’s been releasing dream pop, shoegaze-infused music for the past decade, including her dance-inspiring latest EP, Break!, which was released in 2022. – Erin

Krooked Kings
Lake Stage, 2-2:30pm
RIYL: Peach Pit, The Moss

One of the local talents that deservingly got a slot on the festival’s lineup is Krooked Kings, a band formed by five friends that originally met at the University of Utah. Although they’re one of the smaller names on the undercard, they’re still most likely to delight the entire home crowd with their music as well as their natural charisma—they’re still young and new into the music scene, which means we’re still getting to see them grow into their own in a truly endearing way.

After releasing their album All Out of Good Days and touring it for most of the last year, this hometown performance is definitely the perfect way to close this cycle, to then embark onto even bigger things! Although I can confirm some of their music is certainly ✨depressing, ✨ it’s also the kind that makes sense for festivals where a good portion of the crowd doesn’t know you, but I am sure the Utah music lovers will love them if they don’t already.
– Javi

Beach Fossils
Kilby Stage, 2:35-3:20pm
RIYL: Vacations, The Drums

It feels a little weird to write about Beach Fossils in 2024, because I feel like they’ve been around for so long. Nevertheless, as one of the bands that took over my playlists in the last year with their recent album Bunny, it feels worth mentioning how amazing they are live and how I’m sure they’ll dominate the Kilby Stage.

Beach Fossils’ music feels like traveling back in time—they’re the epitome of indie rock/pop music, with such a distinct sound that includes touches from past decades as well as a whole new style. The quartet from NYC is also one of those acts that you might not be super aware of by name, but that you definitely know at least one song from, that I’m convinced will make most of the festival attendees go “oh wait, I’ve heard this before!” They’re fun, down-to-earth, and just straight up talented, the perfect qualities for a performance at Salt Lake City’s iconic event. – Javi

Slow Pulp
Desert Stage, 3:25-4:10pm
RIYL: Hovvdy, Snail Mail

Slowpulp is a band on the brink of something truly special, and their performance at the Kilby Block Party is a must-see for music lovers. Hailing from the vibrant music scene of Madison, Wisconsin, Slowpulp brings a unique blend of indie rock and dream pop to the stage.

Their music is a mesmerizing journey through lush soundscapes and introspective lyrics, captivating audiences with each chord and verse. With their recent EP release gaining widespread acclaim and a growing fan base, Slowpulp’s set promises to be an unforgettable experience. – Jesse

Odie Leigh
Lake Stage, 12:50-1:20pm
RIYL: Leith Ross, Field Medic

It’s quite crazy to believe that singer-songwriter Odie Leigh started playing guitar and writing her own music back in 2020 as a quarantine hobby, something we discussed during a review of Leigh’s performance in New York City late last year. Her talent seems so natural to her as it is breathing to us: her voice is uniquely raspy, her songs relatable and quirky, and her overall stage presence quite endearing.

Leigh has been touring extensively over the last year and will continue to play a handful of dates in the US before heading to Europe this summer. If you’re a fan of folk music, I Definitely suggest checking her out in Utah. – Kristin

Hana Vu
Mountain Stage, 1:25-1:55pm
RIYL: Barrie, Japanese Breakfast

One of my favorite things is finding an artist and tracking how their sound evolves over time. That’s definitely the case for Hana Vu, a musician from Los Angeles who’s about to release her fourth album. Romanticism, which drops on 5/3, is a supremely self-assured and impressively-produced release, and I’m looking forward to hearing how it comes off during a live performance.

This will be one of Vu’s earliest shows after releasing Romanticism. A month after Kilby Block Party, Vu is taking the stage across the US and Canada in support of the album, so it will be exciting to see Vu performing in this unique timeframe—fresh off the release without having started to tour for it. – Erin

Royel Otis
Desert Stage, 2-2:30pm
RIYL: Goth Babe, Teenage Dads

Okay, I think we all know that Royel Otis have absolutely blown up in the past few months thanks to their covers of “Murder on the Dancefloor” and “Linger” but I just need everybody to know that their original music is EVEN BETTER. Royel and Otis (yes, those are their names!) are one of my absolute favorite bands right now, with intoxicating songs that feel like a direct source of dopamine in my life. With the release of their album PRATTS & PAINS, their undeniable talent and uniqueness has come to show even stronger, and I can’t wait for more people to be able to experience them live.

The pair of Aussies also just began their first North American tour –the first one of two they’ll have this year due to the overwhelming demand and incredible reception they’ve had– which has been anything but disappointing. With both of them being quietly but charmingly charismatic, I’m sure they’ll get any big festival crowd to leave obsessed with them, and I am so happy and proud that they’ve rapidly made it into almost everybody’s radar before their U.S. festival run. –Javi

Petey
Mountain Stage, 2:35-3:20pm
RIYL: Medium Build, Oso Oso

Chicago’s very own Petey originally rose to prominence during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic: not for his music, but for his quirky TikTok videos. Thanks to this newfound sense of internet fame, his music career skyrocketed, as he’s now released three full studio albums and has festivals like Outside Lands and Lollapalooza.

I originally discovered Petey’s music while I was preparing for my trip to SXSW back in 2022, and I found his performance to be quite charming. If you’re a fan of eclectic humor and genre-bending music, his stuff may be for you. – Kristin

CSS
Desert Stage, 3:25-4:10pm
RIYL: Le Tigre, The Ting Tings

CSS, short for Cansei de Ser Sexy, is an electrifying Brazilian indie-electronic band that promises to bring an explosion of energy to the stage at the Kilby Block Party. With infectious beats, catchy melodies, and vibrant stage presence, CSS guarantees a performance that will have the crowd dancing from start to finish.

Hailing from São Paulo, CSS has garnered international acclaim for their genre-bending music and dynamic live shows. With a reputation for delivering high-octane performances that leave audiences wanting more, catching CSS live is an opportunity not to be missed. – Jesse