Rilo Kiley at Red Rocks

Formed in Los Angeles in the late ‘90s, Rilo Kiley – fronted by the magnetic Jenny Lewis and her longtime creative partner, Blake Sennett – crafted songs that mixed sweet melodies with razor-sharp lyrics about love, loss, and existential dread, all wrapped in sunny guitar riffs. Their breakout album, The Execution of All Things, felt like a coming-of-age road trip during a time when I was marked by having an infant at home and trying to balance all the things. By the time More Adventurous hit in 2004, Rilo Kiley had graduated to indie royalty, blending folk, pop, and rock with a touch of vintage California cool.

In concert at Red Rocks, Jenny Lewis commanded the stage, delivering emotional gut-punches with a twinkle in her eye and a big ole jacket (because even summer shows in Denver can get chilly). The show was part sing-along, part therapy session, and thoroughly satisfying for any heartbroken romantic. Jenny’s voice just blew me away. I had seen her with the Postal Service before, but she was clearly in her element for this show – even though Ben Gibbard (solo) was also the opening act.

Rilo Kiley quietly disbanded in the early 2010s, but they’ve never really left the indie conversation. Lewis has since carved out a solo career full of charm and vintage swagger, while Sennett has remained busy with side projects and producing.

Everyone in attendance at Red Rocks was so thrilled to see the reunion, so hopefully the band continues to find room for this project. For now, Rilo Kiley still have a bunch of dates around the US this summer and fall!

Rilo Kiley – Denver Concert Photos

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See our other posts from Red Rocks!