Sunday marked the fourth and final day of the Kilby Block Party festival (May 18, 2025). While it was the coldest (at times) and definitely the wettest day of the rest ā there were soaked attendees and large puddles to navigate around and/or splash through as constant proof ā the diehards showed up early. It was not unlike rubbing shoulders with a crowd of sturdy and determined birdwatchers ā wide-eyed, smiling, staring, slack jawed ā only this one came with a more varied soundtrack, no binoculars required.
The sun started peeking out as The Pains of Being Pure At Heart played, and the shot of warmth was added cause for celebration. Their breezy set was a preview for the rest of the day, too, as it delved heavily into indie music territory with sets by Real Estate, Tennis (taking its final lap and on their last tour ever), Jay Som, Suki Waterhouse, Nation of Language, among a few scattered others. It felt like the dial of time got turned back a decade or two, as elements of the ā80s and ā90s were on full and vibrant display in most behind the microphones. In most (if not all) ways, the masterminds behind Kilby gave attendees/customers what they most wanted to hear and experience. If there were any complaints, they were drowned out by those doing all the cheering.
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Photography by Natalie Simpson | Beehive Photo
The most anticipated band of the day easily belonged to TV On The Radio, currently enjoying a welcome resurgence in popularity. As they gave an electric performance (complete with stunning visuals and political messages, reminding us that all the music they played was anti-fascist in nature), the sunset even played its own part. It dropped out of the sky for good shortly before āStaring at the Sunā paved the way for Justice as the final band of the night.
A festival rarely gets it so right, but Kilby regularly did so. What started as a little festival competing with the more prominent ones is becoming a growing replacement. It is a thinking manās fest that challenges itself to think outside the box and āfestival betterā than others. A favorite part personally was getting to ride the train to and from the festival every day, and leaving parking woes behind. Ticket prices included public transportation for all days; if itās not something other festivals are doing throughout the country already, itās a great idea to absorb.
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