October 17, 2025 –
The sound was personal. Flowing into my ears from earbuds that were often too tangled to unravel. A looping beat, a subtle undercurrent of electronic beat within the indie rock fusion that carried my inner spirit while I walked the pavement to school. I had clippings of Jenny Lewis, from Rilo Kiley cut out of Nylon magazine magnetized on my locker door. Admiration over someone who felt like the epitome of cool. Whatever that truly meant, but I knew it was her. Periods of school dulled from monotone teachers. I’d often entertain my time burning Rilo Kiley CD’s for my friends. Even for myself. Feet would dangle from a chair I was too short for while those earbuds returned to my ears. There would be a typical press of the repeat button on my player, “the paint’s peeling off the streets again and I’ll drive and close my eyes in Michigan,” from their song ‘Paint’s Peeling.’ I didn’t drive, but I was a girl in Michigan often waiting for a ride, while listening to a band that felt too damn cool, and shared my name…which no one could pronounce.
I walked the pavement mirroring the thoughts of nostalgia that seeped into my mind. This time, much older, and not on my way to school, but to Gallagher Square at Petco Park in San Diego, California. I wasn’t bothered by tangled headphone strings, and a skipping Rilo Kiley CD. Now my ears were anticipating a much greater sound, hearing the band I so dearly loved in my youth perform live. There was a tender ache buried under my skin at the thought. No bigger excitement than being able to witness the return of Rilo Kiley. The night felt bittersweet knowing what would soon burst onto the stage, and also being aware that this reunion tour was ending the following night.
My eyes scanned to a copy of Dr. Waayne Dyer’s How To Be A No Limit Person. The reminder was perched beneath a table that held a pink chalice, and a Modelo. The lights soon dimmed, disrupting my sight. Rightfully so, as members Blake Sennett (lead guitarist,) Jason Boesel (drums,) and Pierre De Reeder (bassist) made their home on stage. In a navy Rodarte polka dot silk dress, mary janes soon commanded the stage causing an absolute uproar from the crowd. The sticker read “Property of Jenny” as Jenny Lewis (lead vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass) picked up her bass before the first notes of ‘The Execution of All Things,’ began to play.
Nostalgia often leaves you with a desire to go back in a moment of time. This bit of that feeling didn’t make me go anywhere. I wanted the performance to swallow me completely. By the sound of voices that rang the lyrics loudly, it seemed my feelings were mutual. Lewis shifted to keys for the performance of ‘Spectacular Views.’ During the cinematic comedown her hands were busy holding a toy-like megaphone. The song’s entirety feels like standing on the edge of something expansive. Which mimicked the feeling of seeing this iconic band kick off their set. A feeling entirely encapsulated by something so beautiful, and yet it couldn’t help but feel unreachable. When Lewis returned to her micstand, nostalgia hit my chest hard. ‘Paint’s Peeling’ began. The performance set in a steady direction, but the lyrics felt hollow. Lewis’ voice bit the lyrics between her teeth. A catchy song in beat, but also woven with emotional decay.
‘The Moneymaker’ has always been a favorite of mine. The live performance was seductively alive. The bassline is so hypnotically catchy. Watching Sennett and Lewis pair their instruments melodies during this song is the icing on the cake. There was no room for a breath to be caught. I was completely sucked into Rilo Kiley’s orbit. ‘Dreamworld,’ held me there as Sennett took hold of the reins. The song felt hazy while drifting the audience into a synchronized sway. Lewis’ echoed voice sounded haunting to Sennett’s lead. To me it always paired well with the feeling of recalling someone who was never truly present. ‘I Never’ was Lewis’ return to the keys. The performance felt like witnessing emotional exhaustion, while her vocals were beautifully full.
The groove picked back up to ‘Close Call.’ A song from one of my favorite Rilo Kiley albums, Under The Blacklight. A standout moment of the night was during ‘Does He Love You?’ Perhaps because there is not a moment when I hear this song and don’t get deeply invested into a performative experience. Lewis pacing the stage singing along did not disappoint. Emotionally charged, everyone screamed “let’s not forget ourselves good friend. I am flawed if I’m not free, and your husband will never leave you. He will never leave you for me.” Directly following those lyrics, she lifted a small camera. It became an interactive moment. The lens of the camera was lifted to the audience, and other band members. Not until flipping the middle finger playfully, of course. The song ended with a wide smile from connecting with their community that cheered on with excitement. After, the lights dimmed to a single spotlight. Sennett solo, and luminous performed ‘Ripchord.’
A woman screamed a claim that ‘Silver Lining’ was her song. Claimed deeply. Many agreed how personally loved the song was to themselves. There was a more intimate audience connection with Lewis as she sang ‘With Arms Outstretched.’ A sea of hands lifted into the air along with her own. ‘A Better Son/Daughter’ is where their tour name came from. An ode to the lyrics of the song, the tour is titled Sometimes When You’re On You’re Really F**king On Tour. A powerpunched emotional moment of the song. Many fans in the crowd anticipated this performance. The song has been deeply rooted within many as it feels the most raw form of something personal. ‘Portions For Foxes’ cleared the tightness felt in my chest. The performance electrocuted a new burst of energy. If anything, the set left me feeling full, and overly satisfied with the gift of Rilo Kiley. Though, the night wasn’t ready to fold inward just yet.
The band returned to the stage for a generous three song encore. Hearing ‘Breakin’ Up’ live made me level up as a human. That adolescent me felt not forgotten, but ever present. Ignited and awake again. As if Rilo Kiley knew the key of erasing the gloom of sinking into adulthood. That the past me was still alive and vibrant as ever. I believed that Lewis could do it all….until I remembered she cannot do the smurf. Performing ‘Frug,’ the band left the iconic dances for Lewis to perform. Closing the night with ‘Picture Of Success,’ was a melancholic touchdown. A song that feels like looking at where you are, and where you thought you’d be. A sort of promise to be something, but there’s some fuzzy feeling that it may all be just a fantasy. I drifted here. For the first time in the night I felt some form of missing.
I hadn’t wanted the night to end. Rilo Kiley’s reunion felt pulsing to something lively and reminiscent in my veins. It had been seventeen years since the band’s last performance. The gap felt bridged with this tour, but I couldn’t help but yearn. I could have gripped the moment of their entire performance until my knuckles were sore and white. From beginning to end, the concert was exactly what Rilo Kiley has always been — unforgettable.
