Kilby Block Party 6 local bands preview 

• Syd Lynn Ackley
• Elowyn

Ushered in with the May Queen's sweet breeze comes Utah's premier alternative claim to fame: Kilby Block Party, in its sixth rendition, at the State Fairgrounds—this time, over the course of four days rather than the usual three (May 15-18). And while there are certainly some celebrated international headlining acts (including the ever Utah-elusive new wave inventors New Order and the legendary French electronic duo Justice), the unique and diverse cast of local artists are also certainly something worth cheering for.

LEVELOR (Thursday, 5/15): Self-proclaimed "dirtgaze" SLC-based outfit LEVELOR combines Duster, Moose and Narrow Head-esque chord progressions and muted melancholy lyrics to produce tunes that are as close as you can find in Utah to the Ireland-inspired wall of sound that made 'gaze music famous in the first place. Cleaner than My Bloody Valentine but dirtier than Slowdive, LEVELOR is sure to appease the senses of even the biggest shoegaze snob.

Josaleigh Pollett (Friday, 5/16): Famous local music collaborator Josaleigh Pollett will play the stage Friday, performing their soft and gorgeous melodies. Clearly utilizing a variety of instrumentation and mixing/mastering strategies, each Pollett song feels fresh, frequently incorporating folk, indie and even electronica musings to create a very individualistic blend of sound. Similar to Purity Ring or Regina Spektor, Pollett's art pop isn't one to miss.

Melancholy Club (Friday, 5/16): Like the name implies, Melancholy Club dwells in the realm of emo rock, bringing a cutting edge to the more traditionally recognized Midwestern sound. With a late '90s/early aughts voice, Melancholy Club has taken Salt Lake by storm with the fresh air they breathe into the timeless tradition of confessional punk made hearty in the suburbs. Channeling classics like Sunny Day Real Estate and Taking Back Sunday, Melancholy Club draws a fresh mark on the SLC scene.

Cardinal Bloom (Friday, 5/16): An indie band of the lazy Saturday stroll variety, Cardinal Bloom lives lively and fits perfectly in the more modern indie sound, messing around and about with playful romantic gestures and coasting, breezy melodies. Made for fans of flowering fields paired with the sounds of Dayglow and Royel Otis, the Utah-based band plays the perfect soundtrack to what looks to be a delightful, sunshine spring.

Hurtado (Saturday, 5/17): Salt Lake City's long-time indie darlings Hurtado are another midwest emo inspired group, exploring the more lo-fi side of the multi-faceted genre, evocative of celebrities of the sound such as Modern Baseball and American Football (gooo, sports!). Sweetie-core progressing chords overlaid on top of a steady rhythm with lyrics exploring the more yearnful side of the human psyche bring an overall honeyed sound to the mountains and valleys.

Marshall Van Leuven (Saturday, 5/17): Come closer and listen softly to the quietly intimate songs of Marshall Van Leuven. Conducting a gentle stream of sound similar to that of Jakob or Strawberry Guy, Utah's own Marshall Van Leuven doesn't shy away from the sugared side of life, carrying on with the timeless tradition of head-in-the-clouds, skatingly rhythmic romance songs.

Over Under (Saturday, 5/17): Off the back of the release of two new 2025 singles, "Memory Lane" and "All in My Head," Over Under made a splash across the states after touring with fellow locals The Backseat Lovers. The modern indie soft-psych band bridges the gap for fans who want longer, intricate plays without feeling completely overwhelmed by the jam-band psych style. Fans of Low Hum and Drugdealer will find themselves enchanted by every song Over Under has to offer.

Molotov Dress (Sunday, 5/18): Salt Lake City's post-punk four-piece Molotov Dress marry instantly recognizable vocals with tight and easily discernible bass lines, layering advancing melodies on top in a blend evocative of the European swagger that makes post-punk sing. One can find elements of Parquet Courts, Uranium Club and Squid in this Molotov cocktail, an exquisite egg punk feast for your ears.

Elowyn (Sunday, 5/18): Strong, fierce and clear vocals define Elowyn's sound, with elements of the thumping mystic blended in all the while. Those who gravitate toward late 1990s-2005 divorced mom rock such as Poe and Garbage's more stripped-down work will rejoice once they open their ears to Elowyn's lyricism and musicianship on full display at Kilby's Sunday stage.

Poolhouse (Sunday, 5/18): Salt Lake's indie three-piece Poolhouse combines soft, borderline pop vocals and melodies with a slightly more driving rhythm section and discontented lyrics to make a mix that is almost undefinable. Somewhat similar to Peach Pit and Boy Pablo, Poolhouse emphasizes all the things that make indie music so catchy that it's contagious.

There are plenty of acts to behold at Kilby Block Party 6, and tons of excitement for the big acts stopping by. But don't miss these local acts in all their splendor.