Written by: Kai Eldridge, Music Discovery Editor, OnesToWatch | Last updated: August 7, 2026
The 2026 Kilby Block Party marks a major step forward for the festival, blending legacy headliners with rising artists ready for bigger stages. Across three days at Utah State Fairpark, the lineup leans into discovery, with undercard sets that feel as crucial as the closing headliners. Use this guide to plan each day, catch key emerging acts, and understand how this year’s edition stands out.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Kilby Block Party runs May 15–17 at Utah State Fairpark, headlined by Turnstile, The xx, and Lorde across three distinct days.
- Friday’s undercard offers the strongest discovery potential, with breakout acts like Die Spitz, Gelli Haha, and Dry Cleaning delivering high-energy sets before Turnstile closes the night.
- Saturday balances The xx’s minimalist reunion with genre-spanning performances from Lucy Dacus, The Last Dinner Party, Jane Remover, and Cardinals.
- Sunday blends nostalgia and contemporary sounds as Lorde headlines alongside American Football, Wild Nothing’s full Gemini set, and Magdalena Bay.
- Stay ahead of the next wave of talent by following OnesToWatch for curated coverage and emerging-artist spotlights all year long.
Friday, May 15 Lineup: Discovery-Heavy Opening Day
| Artist | Stage / Time (where confirmed) |
|---|---|
| Turnstile | Kilby Stage, 9:00 pm (headliner) |
| Japanese Breakfast | Kilby Stage, 6:50 pm |
| Beach Bunny | Kilby Stage (time TBA) |
| Modest Mouse | TBA |
| Father John Misty | TBA |
| Snail Mail | TBA |
| Kevin Morby | TBA |
| Show Me The Body | TBA |
| Dry Cleaning | TBA |
| Drugdealer | TBA |
| Ritt Momney | TBA |
| Die Spitz | Desert Stage |
| Chanel Beads | TBA |
| Hotline TNT | TBA |
| Newdad | Kilby Stage |
| Wombo | TBA |
| Gelli Haha | Kilby Stage (opener) |
| El Mato A Un Policia Motorizado | TBA |
| Provoker | TBA |
| Pattie Gonia | TBA |
| Dad Bod | TBA |
| Gonk | TBA |
| Nadezhda | TBA |
| Pixie & The Partygrass Boys | Pop-up |
Friday’s lineup carries a distinct discovery theme, pairing Turnstile’s melodic hardcore headlining set with a deep undercard of acts at various stages of their careers. Turnstile closed night one with a set that generated massive mosh pits, while earlier in the day, acts like Gelli Haha and Die Spitz delivered performances that drew significant crowd energy. Die Spitz’s Desert Stage set generated a massive circle pit and dozens of crowd surfers from the opening notes, signaling how quickly word-of-mouth can spread on a discovery-focused day.
Modest Mouse’s Day One set was described as nearly impossible to look away from, and Dry Cleaning’s post-punk performance was called a welcomed surprise by critics on the ground. The day rewards fans willing to arrive early and stay curious, since many of the most talked-about sets happen well before Turnstile takes the stage.
See which other breakout acts made OnesToWatch’s 2026 artists-to-watch list before they hit festival main stages.
Saturday, May 16 Lineup: Genre-Spanning Centerpiece
| Artist | Stage / Time (where confirmed) |
|---|---|
| The xx | Kilby Stage, 9:00 pm (headliner) |
| Lucy Dacus | Kilby Stage, 6:50 pm |
| The Last Dinner Party | Lake Stage, 5:45 pm |
| Alex G | TBA |
| Briston Maroney | TBA |
| Between Friends | TBA |
| Clap Your Hands Say Yeah | TBA |
| Ben Kweller | TBA |
| Dehd | TBA |
| Jane Remover | TBA |
| Lyn Lapid | TBA |
| Quadeca | TBA |
| Automatic | TBA |
| Feeble Little Horse | TBA |
| Caroline | TBA |
| Cardinals | TBA |
| The Moss | TBA |
| The Kilans | TBA |
| YHWH Nailgun | TBA |
| Fightmaster | TBA |
| Wilbere | TBA |
| Jill Whit | TBA |
| Chalk (SLC) | TBA |
The xx’s reunion headlining set anchors a Saturday that spans baroque-pop, hyperpop-adjacent sounds, and synth-driven post-punk. The Last Dinner Party brings theatrical, baroque-pop energy that has dominated conversations across the Atlantic, while Automatic delivers synth-driven post-punk with motorik rhythms suited for a dystopian dancefloor. Saturday’s undercard becomes the weekend’s most genre-diverse single day, giving fans a chance to move between distinct scenes without leaving the fairgrounds.
For industry professionals, Saturday presents a concentrated window to evaluate acts like Jane Remover and Cardinals, both positioned at inflection points in their careers. Placing these rising artists alongside the proven draw of Lucy Dacus and Alex G in the upper slots creates natural comparison points between emerging and established performers. That contrast makes Saturday the weekend’s most valuable day for A&R and talent discovery.
Discover more genre-spanning talent on OnesToWatch’s curated 2026 roster.
Sunday, May 17 Lineup: Nostalgia Meets New Voices
| Artist | Stage / Time (where confirmed) |
|---|---|
| Lorde | Kilby Stage, 9:00 pm (headliner) |
| Hayley Williams | TBA |
| Magdalena Bay | Lake Stage, 5:45 pm |
| American Football | Mountain Stage, 4:50 pm |
| Blood Orange | TBA |
| Flipturn | TBA |
| Granddaddy | TBA |
| Wild Nothing | TBA (performing Gemini in full) |
| Melody’s Echo Chamber | TBA |
| Smerz | TBA |
| KennyHoopla | TBA |
| Ethan Regan | TBA |
| Hannah Cohen | TBA |
| TOPS | TBA |
| This Is Lorelei | TBA |
| Folk Bitch Trio | TBA |
| Freak Slug | TBA |
| Mustard Service | TBA |
| Old Mervs | TBA |
| Glom | TBA |
| Rachael Jenkins | TBA |
| Bad Luck Brigade | TBA |
| Starr 67 | TBA |
Sunday closes the weekend with Lorde headlining a day that also features American Football, who performed at Kilby Block Party 2026 and were joined onstage by Hayley Williams for the first joint performance of their 2019 LP3 track “Uncomfortably Numb.” Wild Nothing, who performed their 2010 debut album Gemini in full at Kilby Block Party 2026, followed by a few more hits, helps Sunday balance nostalgia with contemporary momentum. Magdalena Bay’s slot on the Lake Stage and Blood Orange’s appearance round out a closing day that skews toward emotionally resonant, sonically adventurous performances.
Across all three days, the festival’s real story lives in its undercard, where artists at career turning points test new material in front of growing crowds.
Emerging Artists to Watch at Kilby Block Party 2026
OnesToWatch has tracked several undercard acts on this year’s bill whose live reputations and recent trajectories make them priority viewing across all three days.
Die Spitz (Friday)
Die Spitz performed a high-energy hardcore rock set on the Desert Stage marked by 90s grunge influences, a massive circle pit from the first notes, and dozens of crowd surfers. The Austin punk band, formed after a chance meeting at a house show, are described as one of the most exciting young punk bands in the country, and after touring with Amyl and the Sniffers, they are scheduled to play six dates supporting Olivia Rodrigo in Europe in Spring 2027.
Gelli Haha (Friday)
Gelli Haha opened the main Kilby Stage with a light-hearted, synth-fueled dream-pop performance featuring the artful choreography of the “Gelli Company” dancers and a bright red color theme that had fans dancing. Their set demonstrated the kind of fully realized visual and sonic identity that signals an artist ready for larger stages.
Chanel Beads (Friday)
Chanel Beads fuses lo-fi textures with orchestral pop sensibilities to provide a dreamlike contrast among the 2026 Kilby Block Party lineup. Their placement on Friday’s undercard positions them as a discovery act for fans who arrive early and want something more atmospheric.
Jane Remover (Saturday)
Jane Remover’s hyperpop-adjacent sounds represent one of the more sonically distinct offerings in the 2026 lineup. Their Saturday slot on a day anchored by The xx creates a clear contrast between the headliner’s minimalist aesthetic and Jane Remover’s maximalist digital textures.
Cardinals (Saturday)
Cardinals, originally formed as a recording project between two roommates, deliver jangly indie-rock sets with an earnestness that makes them a prime discovery act for fans seeking artists right before they break out. Saturday’s bill gives them a platform alongside established names that could accelerate their trajectory significantly.
Dehd (Saturday)
Dehd blend surf-rock guitars and raw emotional delivery in joyful, cathartic live shows that reward festival discovery. Their history, with core members continuing to make music after a personal breakup, informs a live energy that critics consistently describe as unexpectedly euphoric.
Dry Cleaning (Friday)
Dry Cleaning was called a “welcomed surprise” whose set felt “like a taste of a future main course (date TBD).” Florence Shaw’s deadpan spoken-word delivery over swirling post-punk instrumentals gives the band a live identity that translates exceptionally well in an outdoor festival context.
Track the full year’s rising artists with OnesToWatch’s 2026 coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are single-day tickets available for the 2026 Kilby Block Party?
Yes. Single-day general admission tickets for the 2026 Kilby Block Party went on sale February 12, 2026, at 10am MST. Single-day tickets do not include re-entry, so attendees should plan their day accordingly. All tickets are sold exclusively through 24tix.com, and tickets purchased through third-party resale platforms are subject to being voided without a refund.
Are VIP passes still available?
All standard 3-day VIP passes for the 2026 Kilby Block Party sold out. The festival introduced a new Kilby Club VIP tier for 2026, which offers guaranteed center-stage viewing at Main Stages 1 and 2, early merch access, and a dedicated lounge with complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Availability of the Kilby Club tier should be confirmed directly through 24tix.com, as inventory is limited.
What time do gates open each day?
Gates for the 2026 Kilby Block Party open at 11:30 am each day, Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17. Arriving early is recommended for fans interested in undercard acts, since several of the most-discussed emerging artists perform in afternoon slots before the main stage headliners.
Are there age restrictions for the festival or surrounding events?
The main festival at Utah State Fairpark does not carry a published age restriction in official announcements. However, the official KBP Kick-Off Party on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Metro Music Hall is restricted to patrons 21 and older. Individual after-party and kick-off shows at venues like Metro Music Hall, Kilby Court, and Blue Gene’s may carry their own age policies, so checking each event’s listing on 24tix.com is advised.
Will set times be updated closer to the festival?
Set times for the 2026 Kilby Block Party were announced ahead of the festival via official channels. Confirmed stage times include Turnstile at 9:00 pm on Friday, The xx at 9:00 pm on Saturday, and Lorde at 9:00 pm on Sunday, all on the Kilby Stage. Additional confirmed times include Japanese Breakfast at 6:50 pm Friday, Lucy Dacus at 6:50 pm Saturday, The Last Dinner Party at 5:45 pm Saturday, Magdalena Bay at 5:45 pm Sunday, and American Football at 4:50 pm Sunday. For the most current and complete set-time information, the official Kilby Block Party channels and 24tix.com are the authoritative sources.
Conclusion: Why Kilby 2026 Matters
The 2026 Kilby Block Party delivers a three-day schedule that rewards fans and industry professionals who treat each day as its own chapter. Turnstile, The xx, and Lorde each anchor a distinct day with a distinct energy, while the undercard across all three days, from Die Spitz and Gelli Haha on Friday to Cardinals and Dehd on Saturday to Wild Nothing’s Gemini performance and Magdalena Bay on Sunday, creates a live-first discovery context that algorithmic playlists cannot match. For anyone tracking the next wave of artists before they move to larger stages, this weekend’s undercard carries as much weight as the headliners above it.
Stay ahead of the next wave by following OnesToWatch’s top artists for 2026.