Kilby Court: The Best Damn $6 You’ll Ever Spend.

Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 @ 6:52AM

The essence of Utah's indie music scene is filled with character.

Death Cab For Cutie, at their recent performance before thousands at Thanksgiving Point last month, threw out props to Kilby Court in reference to their shows in 2000 and 2001 at the most humble of all live music venues. Long before signing to a major label, and admittedly long before X96 even knew they existed, Death Cab was one of many of today’s commercially successful bands to load their gear into the garage-turned-venue at the end of a mysterious alley on Salt Lake’s west side. Just walking down Kilby Court--which is somewhat of a street at about 330 west between 700 and 800 south--is an interesting experience. Industrial warehouses surround the area, yet there are actual homes crammed along the narrow passageway that eventually leads to one of the coolest places to see a live band. The residents obviously don’t mind live music because they have no choice in avoiding un-amplified drums thundering out from what appears to be a garage. And I mean garage for maybe two vehicles because you couldn’t cram three cars in there. With such limited space, the stage is small and the performances are intimate. If your band has more than three members, guitar necks are going to collide and the drummer’s sweat will get on you. But there is something ultimately charming about everything that goes on at Kilby Court. It is hidden, physically and metaphorically, from the rest of the world. Big concert dollars aren’t part of its lineage. Most people have probably never been there to see a show, but when you do go there you get the feeling that every performance is of pure art and nothing more. I went last night to see my friends in The Market. Admission was only $6 and even after I bought a bottle of water at an utterly reasonable $1 I was happy to be there. Yeah, I saw Linkin Park play to a packed E-Center, but the shows at Kilby Court are somehow better. It’s because the bands at Kilby are either local or driving across the country in a beat up van that may or may not make it to the next show. If you go to http://www.kilbycourt.com you’ll see an impressive list of bands that have been there. Death Cab For Cutie, Rise Against, Hot Hot Heat, and many more bands that have played in places much bigger lately are among lots of cool indie artists. Do yourself a favor. Watch their website for an upcoming show and then go to it. Yes, you’ll be driving around the block wondering to yourself if you really are in the right place. But go check it out, especially in the summer so you can kick back in the actual “court” area outside. It will be a unique concert experience, one that you’ll never forget.


The Market performing on the cozy stage at Kilby Court last night.

Bands like Rise Against that have performed at the E Center have also loaded their gear through the humble entrance at Kilby Court.

That’s me hanging with The Market backstage at Kilby Court. Yes, that’s keyboardist Anthony Webster planting some lovin’ on my cheek.

todd’s iPod
10:20 “John Wayne” Billy Idol
1:20 “Black Celebration” Depeche Mode, live from 101 in commemoration of the 20 year anniversary of 101.

Comments (0) •