Kilby Block Party 2023 Review: A Celebration of Music

The vibrant scene of Kilby came alive on a sunny Friday afternoon as music enthusiasts and art appreciators gathered for the eagerly awaited Kilby Block Party 2023. This annual celebration of creativity and community proved to be a resounding success, surpassing all expectations. Taking over the grounds of the Utah State Fair Park for three days the weather gods blessed us with amazing weather (except a few last minute showers on day three that delayed the headlining set by Pavement).


The air was electric with anticipation as attendees wandered through the lively fairgrounds, immersing themselves in a sensory feast of sights and sounds. The festival organizers had curated an impressive lineup that catered to diverse musical tastes, offering an eclectic mix of genres that kept the crowd energized from start to finish. From hometown boys The Backseat Lovers to legendary Garage rockers The Strokes. From the infectious beats of hip-hop sensations Run The Jewels to the ethereal melodies of indie bands such as The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, every performance shone with raw talent and passion. The stage transformed into a melting pot of sounds, captivating listeners and leaving them hungry for more.


Yet, Kilby Block Party was not just about the music. This incomparable event also showcased the city's thriving art scene, with a kaleidoscope of visual artists proudly displaying their creations throughout the festival grounds. Marvelous murals, imaginative installations, and thought-provoking sculptures provided a visual feast that stimulated the senses and ignited conversations among attendees.


Attendees reveled in the vibrant energy of the festival, connecting with old friends and forging new connections within the Kilby community. Delicious aromas wafted from food trucks, offering an array of mouthwatering culinary delights that satisfied the appetites of hungry attendees. Local artisans and entrepreneurs showcased their wares, adding to the festive ambiance and providing an opportunity to support the local economy.


The curation of the Kilby Block Party 2023 was flawless, with meticulous attention to detail ensuring a seamless experience for all. From the friendly staff to the well-organized layout, every aspect of the festival contributed to its overwhelming success. The organizers created an atmosphere of inclusivity, where everyone felt welcome, making Kilby Block Party a true celebration of the community's diversity and spirit.
As the sun set over the horizon, casting a golden glow on the festivities, the Kilby Block Party 2023 drew to a close. The party-goers dispersed, still buzzing with excitement, their hearts and minds filled with memories of an extraordinary day. Kilby Block Party had once again proven itself as a haven for music lovers, art enthusiasts, and community seekers, leaving a lasting impression that will linger until the next year's highly anticipated edition.

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7 Must See Acts: UMS 2023

As we embark on our 13th Underground Music Showcase’s an outlet, we wanted to celebrate the amazing Denver community and its vibrant music scene for allowing to capture and cover some amazing bands from the last decade.

Every year we scour our lineups and schedules to make a list of our top ten acts we recommend. While each year has its challenges, it also allows us to share bands some of you may not be familiar with.

Without further adieu…..

Seven Must See Acts


Spill Tab

Showcase Stage | Sunday, July 30th | 6:35-7:20 PM

Welcome to the world of Spill Tab, where musical boundaries are shattered, emotions run wild, and acoustic landscapes transport you to another dimension. With a unique blend of haunting melodies, soul-stirring lyrics, and ethereal vocals, Spill Tab offers a transformative acoustic experience that leaves audiences captivated and craving more.

Led by the enigmatic and immensely talented artist Spill Tab, this musical project invites listeners to embark on a journey through the vast depths of human emotions. Drawing from personal experiences and introspection, Spill Tab's music serves as a cathartic outlet, resonating with anyone who has ever felt lost, vulnerable, or overwhelmed.

Incorporating elements from various genres like indie-folk, dream pop, and alternative rock, Spill Tab weaves a sonic tapestry that is profoundly intimate yet universally relatable. Each song tells a story, inviting you into a world where heartaches and triumphs merge to create something truly extraordinary. The lyrics delve deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of love, pain, self-discovery, and the complexities of the human condition.


Air Dubai

Showcase Stage | Sunday, July 30th | 4:25-5:10 PM


Air Dubai is an American alternative hip-hop band formed in 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The band consist of five talented individuals who came together with a shared passion for music and an unwavering desire to create something unique and unforgettable. Combining elements of hip-hop, rock, and pop, Air Dubai quickly gained recognition for their energetic live performances and diverse sound.

Air Dubai disbanded in 2016, leaving behind a remarkable catalog of music that continues to inspire and captivate fans worldwide. Their legacy lives on through their unique fusion of genres, thought-provoking lyrics, and unforgettable live performances. Some of you may remember their reunion show during our 5th anniversary party at Pearls.

Air Dubai's influence can be seen in the countless artists that followed, incorporating elements of hip-hop, rock, and pop in their own work. Their ability to push musical boundaries and stay true to their artistic vision. Excited to see the band back together for this year, we could not be more excited.


Levi Double U

Oasis Stage | Friday, July 28th | 4:50-5:40 PM

Levi Double U, the incredible musical prodigy, is making waves in the music industry with his extraordinary talent and unique style. Levi's passion for music has been instrumental in various projects he has been part of. His ability to effortlessly switch and adapt to his music projects gives us a hint of his musical knowledge. His dj sets are always consistent with house bangers and carefully orchestrated dance floor starters. Wether its playing drums for Neoma or making us shake our ass to to his DJ moniker Levi Double U, he is a must see this week.


ROOTBEER RICHIE AND THE REVEILLE

UMS House | Friday, July 28th | 11:59-12:45 AM

We first came across this band a few years ago as our last act at UMS on a hot, sweaty, Sunday night at The Hi Dive. Our lives haven’t been the same since. A fusion of all the genres we love, the band manages to pull off a set inducing dance party with all kinds of elements at its disposal. From horns to infectious anthem cries, this band will steal the show this year, we guarantee it. Be ready to dance, be ready to sweat and be ready to talk about it the next day!


Virgi Dart

HQ Denver | Sunday, July 30th | 6:00-6:45 PM

In Colombia Virgi's musical prowess has afforded her the opportunity to perform on the most important + grand stages in her hometown, Cali, along with many respected venues throughout her home country. Prior to moving to the US, Virgi headlined at the most prolific disco group in Colombia for six years, granting her access to performances with some of the most well-respected artists in Latin America.

Virgi is excited to bring her professionalism, talent, and commanding stage presence to her newfound home in Colorado and in venues across the US. She looks forward to continuing to honor her influences of pop-rock/Latin music while delivering memorable performances for her crowds. Virgi recently released her first album, a versatile EP with 6 songs where the audience will be delighted with pop music, cumbia, bachata and electro-pop as well as a beautiful ballad with a symphonic orchestra.

She is currently working on the recording of her second album, she is also releasing music videos and performing throughout the US, Mexico and Colombia.


King Isis

Underground Stage | Sunday, July 30th | 5:40-6:15 PM

Born and raised in the cultural hub of Oakland, CA, King Isis shifts shapes and fuses sounds ranging from rock and R&B to jazz and blues, sweeping through pain, growth, and transformation.

Music has been in King Isis' blood for generations. They were taught on the piano of their great-great-grandmother Omega King, one of the first Black opera singers in Chicago. King Isis’ artist moniker pays reverence to Omega’s legacy of pursuing her passion of art and creation in segregated, post-slavery America. “Her name holds a lot of power in my house and in my family,” Isis reflects, “A big part of the reason my artist name incorporates hers is to remind me that there is power in my voice, that music has always been a deep-rooted part of me, and to keep going.”


Ogi

Underground Stage | Saturday, July 29th | 9:00-9:40 PM

Our voices indicate how we feel. Joy, sadness, trepidation, and truth filter through the tone and timbre. For as pensive and reserved as Ogi may be in everyday life, the Los Angeles-based Nigerian American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist speaks her mind when she sings. After captivating audiences on social media and earning the endorsement and support of iconic GRAMMY® Award-winning producer No I.D. [JAY-Z, John Mayer, Kanye West], she expresses who she is through every note on a series of singles and her 2022 debut.

Austin City Limits Music Festival Announce Lineup and Daily Lineups

Our favorite festival is set to take its annual two week residency at Zilker Park once again this year. This years lineup boasts an array of some of the best acts in music, from Kendrick Lamar to Shania Twain. The festival is one of the premier festivals in the country well known for amazing music and the hospitality the fest and state brings to its visitors.

Tickets for the festival sell pretty quickly and the fest has many tiers to chose from. Another one of the amenities the fest has to offer is in the form of amazing food and drinks. Austin Eats focuses on locally owned restaurants to fulfill any festival appetite. The craft beer hall gives many options under a shaded tent to beat the heat.

TICKET INFORMATION


Kilby Block Party Returns To Salt Lake This Weekend

One of the up and coming niche music festivals is set to take place this weekend in Sal Lake City. In only its fourth year the festival has grown leaps and bounds with this years lineup boasting an impressive lineup usually only seen with the bigger festivals across the country.

The Kilby Block Party is a music festival that started in 2019 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Salt Lake City’s longest-running, all-ages venue Kilby Court. Keeping with the spirit of this iconic venue, KBP aims to bring together SLC’s music community with some of our favorite internationally renowned artists. The firstt two editions of this festival were actual block parties on Kilby Court’s adjacent street of 700 South in downtown SLC. KBP1 and KBP2 were headlined by longtime friends Death Cab For Cutie and Young The Giant who both performed at Kilby Court in the beginning of their careers. In 2022, they took a chance and moved KBP3 to Library Square to host a 2-day festival featuring headliners Phoebe Bridgers and Mac DeMarco. With thanks to the incredible Kilby community, the festival sold out both nights in less than a week and the KBP3 weekend proved to be one of the best large scale indie music festivals to ever occur in downtown SLC. We are excited to be expanding this festival once again in 2023 by moving to the Utah State Fairpark for a 3 full days of music, art, food, culture, and more.

Set Times:

Festival Map

Texas’ largest independent promoter Disco Donnie Presents announces: Ubbi Dubbi 2023

The award-winning, highly-recognized leader in the electronic music event space, Disco Donnie Presents, is excited to announce the 4th installment of Ubbi Dubbi, returning to its original home at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth, Texas. On April 22-23, fans are invited from all corners of the globe to this dazzling electronic music paradise featuring over 40+ artists including Kaskade, Liquid Stranger and Rezz. Tickets are on sale Tuesday, 11/15 at 10AM CT. Fans can also sign up for one hour exclusive access to early bird tickets before they go on sale to the public, starting at just $26 down.

Ubbi Dubbi celebrates the friendship between two music-loving friends, Ubbi and Dubbi. Dubbi, who loves dubstep and trap, taught Ubbi about electronic music and now he loves house and techno. The 2023 lineup reflects the best of Ubbi and Dubbi’s favorite genres, from the bass blistering beats of Rezz and Zomboy, to the euphoric sounds of SLUSHII and San Holo (DJ Set), the house-centric grooves of Dombresky and MIANE, and main stage favorites like Deorro, Timmy Trumpet, and Bonnie x Clyde. Ubbi Dubbi has no shortage of rising stars, featuring bass house queen Capozzi, high-octane tech house purveyor Cloverdale, and the bass-friendly, effervescent electronic pop productions of Moore Kismet. This year, Ubbi Dubbi features an EXPANDED festival site, adding a NEW 4TH STAGE to accomodate this Texas sized lineup.

 

We’re thrilled to bring back Ubbi Dubbi to Panther Island Pavilion and this lineup is going to be rowdy! Can’t wait for you to see all that we have in store for this year :)” - Disco Donnie

 

Philanthropy is one of Donnie’s biggest values, as is his commitment to Texas. Since DDP started keeping records about its Texas operations eight years ago, the company has generated over $1 billion dollars in total economic impact and over $1.5 million in charitable donations to local nonprofits. In total, DDP has donated over $500,000 to local charities where the festivals are operated, reinforcing their commitment to giving back and supporting the communities that support them. 

 

Ubbi Dubbi welcomes everyone, from the most experienced festival goer to the newbie attending for the first time. Ubbi Dubbi is all about community, and growing your Ubbi Dubbi family a little bit bigger every year! Join old friends and make some new ones at Ubbi Dubbi 2023!

Austin City Limits Music Festival 2022 Shines With Another Successful Year

The 2022 rendition of Austin City Limits seemed to have one of the most diverse lineups in the festivals history. We saw legends like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, to emo pioneers Paramore. In between new acts like Wet Leg and Larry June proved they belonged on the big festival stage. Along with great music ACL also provides some of the best festival experiences unlike others. ACL Eats gives festival foodies a chance to try some of Austin’s best local food. Barton Springs Beer Hall gives beer aficionados a chance to indulge in some of the finest craft beers around. A local market also showcases some of the city’s best artisanal goods. Activations from Wrangler, Honda, Coca Cola, Hulu provided for some amazing exponential and immersive experiences.

Friday:

Wet Leg

Buzz band Wet Leg made their ACL debut on the first day of the festival. Stemming from an amazing SXSW last year the duo of Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers brought their indie rock sounds to an early Friday crowd. The band looked as if they were just enjoying the big stage often in awe of each other and the crowd. One of the highlights of the weekend.


Teezo Touchdown

We had a chance to see Teezo Touchdown for the first time at Red Rocks earlier this year and we were very intrigued. Draped with a wig of nails, he definitely got our attention. Seeing him on the lineup we were not going to miss a chance to see him again. In one of the best performances of the festival, he managed to win over some new fans as well as establish himself as a artist to keep an eye on.


Jazmine Sullivan

This was our first time seeing Jazmine Sullivan, her sultry vocals and unique take on r&b made us new fans. The Philly native has won many accolades in her short time putting her in some exclusive company. Her set was vibrant and she often chatted with the crowd giving fans an intimate experience on day one. Look for bigger and better things in 2023.


Arlo Parks

Hailing from London, England, Parks recently won us over with her debut album “Collapsed in Sunbeams”. The indie-pop songstress played down a perfect set as the crowd caught a glimpse of one of music newest and brightest stars. She definitely made for one of our favorite sets of the festival.


Phoenix

A trip down memory lane would be the only way to describe Phoenix’s set on day one of the festival. The Parisian indie rockers had a late afternoon dancing to all the familiar hits that have established the bands prominence over the years. Led by frontman Thomas Mars, one of the more animated lead singers of any band, the set itself made for one of the best. Mars has been know to take the performance into the crowd and he did not disappoint as festival goers got the intimate experience.


Omar Apollo

Named one of Apple Music’s “Up Next” artist Omar Apollo continues to grow his star power with his take on Indie music. With latin roots heavily influenced in his music, Apollo interwinds language and genres wit a conniving appeal. His set was a perfect example, settling in for a amazing performance that will make festival attendees reminisce about the time they same him perform on one of the smaller stages at ACL.


SZA

Friday night headliner SZA had Zilker buzzing all day as the much anticipated performance closed out the first night of ACL. Adorned with a seaport backdrop and commencing down a lighthouse tower SZA played a near flawless set as she entertained the masses for almost two hours. Hits such as “Broken Clocks” and “Love Galore” along with Black Panther soundtrack standout “All The Stars” stood out the most. With a new album on the way the momentum is only beginning for what SZA has in store for 2023.


Saturday:

Lido Pimienta

Day two of the festival started with the Colombian sound from Lido Pimienta. We had done our research beforehand and was looking very forward to their set, that did not disappoint. Meshing latin infused sounds with a flair, the band won over a handful of new fans during their early set on Saturday. We expect this group to continue to grow and add to the folklore of ACL bands who played smaller stages early in their career.


Tai Verdes

This was our first time seeing Tai Verdes, hailing from California, Verdes brings a fresh approach to R&B and Pop. With hit single “Stuck In The Middle” on a majority of Best of playlists in 2021. No stranger to the big stage, Verdes played for a rather decent crowd with many die-hard fans making their way to the very from to catch a glimpse of the up-and-coming star. We expect nothing but big things in the future from one of our favorites of Saturday.


Princess Nokia

As the sun was beginning to hit mid-day stride, it was only fitting Princess Nokia came out on stage with a water gun to cool the crowd. Destiny Nicole Frasqueri, known professionally as Princess Nokia can be described as emo rap meshing all elements of hip hop to create a sound that makes you want to dance. Fans who caught her set vibed to the duration of her set as she played crowd favorites from her catalog. Often interacting with the crowd, Nokia fed off the crowd and delivered a knockout.


Boy George and Culture Club

Known for such hits as “Karma Chameleon”, “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me”, and “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya”, the legendary singer and his band Culture Club have earned legendary status among the music industry for decades now. With a style fitting for the decade of the late 70’s and early 80’s, the songs brought about a certain nostalgia that has always been part of our music listening pleasure. Known for his flamboyant nature, Boy George reminded us all of the fun one can have with music. Easily one of out top three performances of the weekend.


Sofi Tukker

Sofi Tukker is a musical duo based in Florida consisting of Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern. The duo managed to give their all hype-influenced performance during their Golden Hour set. The band is known for their customary hype-induced sets that get the crowd going. Alternating between a plethora of instruments on stage, the duo knows how to hit all the right chords and their live shows are always entertaining. Adorned in a orange to pink gradient pant and matching shirt ensemble, the band was hitting on all cylinders ahead of their set. A perfect wind-down set yet enough energy to take us into the evenings headliners.


Lil Nas X

For us the most anticipated set we had been looking to all weekend. Lil Nas X exploded onto the scene just a couple years ago and aside from a few live appearances here and there has been hard to capture his live show. As the saying goes “good things come to those who wait” couldn’t have been more true. Flanked by a production that could easily make for a stadium tour, Lil Nas X ripped through his small but amazing catalog with sing-alongs and dynamic wardrobe changes. You can tell many of those in the crowd had been waiting all day for this and he did not dissapoint.


Diplo

We have been following Diplo’s career for a,ost a decade now, since our early days covering SXSW. Throughout the years he has blessed us with some of the most amazing heat seeking dance numbers that have ever existed. From production credits on some of the biggest artist in the world, he has always pushed the envelope to pioneering the “new” sound we all have come to love. His set was simple, to the point, and flawless, just as we would have expected.


Flume

Hailing from Australia, Harley Streten known to the world as Flume has made leaps and bounds to get to where he is today. Headlining a major festival does not come easy, especially in the EDM world. Flume has grown and matured with each album he had released to become a household name. Flanked by an array of mood setting lighting, Flume came out the gates with no hesitation exploding into an all out dance party for the masses who took position on the Honda Stage.


Sunday:

Larry June

We got off to an early start on Sunday to check out Larry June, hailing from the Bay Area. June has made a name for himself within the last year creating a buzz amongst the hip hop world.Although June has been honing his craft for a few years his recent work has been well received and is truly one to keep an eye out for in the coming years. June even had a famous celebrity in attendance during his set as Craig Robinson from The Office was seen vibing out to the rappers West Coast sound.


Urban Heat

The term buzz band is always thrown around the festival circuit from time to time, sometimes the act pans out, sometimes they fizzle. In the case of Austin locals Urban Heat, we feel like they will definitely hang around for the long term. They're set at the BMI stage set-off a trajectory path that will see the band continue to shine and introduce themselves to the music world. With a retro sound reminiscent of bands such as Depeche Mode and The Cure, the band rides the New Wave sound with absolute perfection and style.


BIA

Puerto Rican rapper BIA has been enjoying the success of her breakout hit “Whole Lotta Money” in 2021. Garnering several hip hop song of the year awards, BIA reminds us of the 80-90’s era of hip hop, raw, catchy and a penchant for style. Now living in Los Angeles BIA has a future on which to shine as she continues to impress. The future is bright and we can’t wait to see what’s next.


Paramore

When the ACL lineup was announced, nobody created a bigger buzz than Paramore. Having played together as a band since 2018 the band sent shockwaves across the industry by not only announcing a new album but also a tour with a few prominent music festivals along the way. Led by emo-queen Hayley Williams, the band has earned noteworthy success by being one of the first successful emo, pop-punk bands of its generation. With sing-along anthems at their disposal, the ACL crowd (some who had waited hours to get a from row seat) ate it all up. Probably our favorite set of the festival as we had imagined.


Kacey Musgraves

The best way to end our festival was from Texas’s own Kacey Musgrave. The country pop singer took us through a career spanning set that included all her number one hits and some other well known gems. At one point the singer was joined on stage by Beto O’Rourke who is currently running for state governor. The crowd seemed to eat it up as he brought her out a beer as she stated she was thirsty. We had a chance to see Musgraves a couple years ago at this same festival and she only continues to climb the ranks of some of. the best to ever do it.

This brought our festival to an end and once again we cannot stress the importance of why this has been our favorite festival to cover. From the amazing food and beer options, to ease of coming into the park, the amazing hospitality and most important the well curated lineups that bring us back year after year. Until next year ACL.