Thursday’s half day was day one of Salt Lake City's Kilby Block Party. The festival's array of local businesses included some antique booths, permanent jewelry, and other business sponsored lounge areas. There are always bright neon colored signs and opportunities for photo ops, this year there were furry monster face silhouettes to stand in, 70’s looking signs saying “love hurts” or “best friends” or “kilby”, A large entrance sign with towering purple mushrooms, green fake grass stumps to sit on, and picnic tables sat in oversized sunglasses.

Devo performed towards the end of the day. I have never seen so many people know the song “whip it” let alone dance and sing along wearing the iconic red Devo hat. What made this even better was the massive Devo hat in the field behind the sound booth of the Kilby stage. The pyramid like design of the hat is perfect to create enough seating for more than two dozen people. The band brought together many generations of people who were able to bond over two words “whip it”, something pretty incredible to witness in a world of so much separation.

The best part of this night was during the New Orders set. Stage left is where the VIP and VIP+ section reside. As much as the performers are incredible and the reason why we attend the festival, the audience really made the experience more memorable than I could imagine.

There were two girls in this section that were absolutely taking on the music in a new way. I had seen them earlier that day dancing to the other sets, I have never seen two people with such great stamina not only in one set but throughout THE WHOLE DAY - well half day. The best way that I can describe the dance style of the two friends is your typical white girl dancing in the club mixed with Jack Sparrows iconic run. The fluidity of their movement was able to give them full control of each limb in their body, this paired with the fast paced music is what reminded me of the Jack Sparrow run. Grace in their arms, but kicking their feet to the beat. About six songs into the set, an older gentleman joined the two girls. He began doing the same fluid motions and brought other people to the dance circle they had created.

No matter where in the massive field you stand, you are blessed with a concert, you may have your ears shattered because of the speakers next to the stage, or you may be around a group of people who confidently belt out the lyrics, creating their own concert, making friends with strangers around them.

Review & Photos by: Miriam Wasden

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New Order Blows the Roof Off of SLC's Kilby Block Party