Kilby Court

This is a pretty cool little music venue; it's literally a garage. It provides a very intimate setting, but as this was my first visit and I had no clue what it was like, I ended up not getting to actually see very much of the bands playing, as they're not up on any kind of stage or riser to set them up above the small crowd. I would definitely recommend getting there plenty early if you want to see and not just hear, especially if you're a bit on the shorter side.

I love Nate Ruess.  I've seen him live more times than I can count, and it sort of kills me that the next time he comes  to town, I'll have to fight my way through hordes of teenage girls with big glasses and boys in skinny, skinny jeans at one of Utah's enormous, personality-less venues.  I'll just have to cling to memories of better times, such as the time in 2009 when I stood in line at Kilby Court for two hours to see him on his first tour with fun.

Kilby Court, as I was reminded this evening, is the antithesis of a large, impersonal amphitheater.  You can't get more intimate with an artist than this unless you're sleeping with him (or her).  

Located at the end of a slightly intimidating alley (particularly in the dark. particularly the first time.), Kilby is basically just a garage, a courtyard, and a few outbuildings.  There are some very old houses and apartments where people are actually living.  It's shabby, but in the nicest way possible.

The stage is little more than a large platform and it occupies about 1/3 of the room.  There is no bad place to stand.  The acoustics are so/so, but the fact that band members are close enough to sweat on you basically anywhere you're standing in the room makes up for it.  

90% of the time, the bands  they feature don't interest me.  I wish I could get behind the local music scene, but I just can't.  Sorry.  Maybe if I were 17 again, I could bring myself to care.  HOWEVER. They do occasionally bring in obscure bands who are nonetheless CRAZY TALENTED.  (TILLY AND THE WALL.  TILLY AND THE WALL.)  If you don't have a nose for this, make friends with someone who does, and LISTEN TO THEM when they tell you to come see a show here.  It will be a truly unique experience.

Kilby Court is an interesting venue. It is super small (literally a garage) and given the right talent, it can be a fun time but if a band is booked there who thinks they are better than that, you are in for a ride. I don't even know if this place has a bathroom? You can go in and out though but that means walking down a dark alley in a part of town that doesn't seem to have anything else going on (or existing for that matter). It's a cool inimiate spot to see some great indie bands that come through though.  They also have an outdoor fireplace. The standing area itself probably holds about 100 people but you could hang out by the fire pit (and merch table) and still hear the band.