Rilo Kiley announce reunion tour, Phoenix show for May

The beloved indie rockers have added to their first show in some two decades with a May 12 show at The Van Buren.

February 4, 2025

Image: This latest tour will be among Rilo Kiley's first show in nearly two decades.

This latest tour will be among Rilo Kiley's first show in nearly two decades. Rilo Kiley

Help us weather the uncertain future

We need to raise $7,000 to meet our goal by August 10. If you’re able to make a contribution of any amount, your dollars will make an immediate difference in helping ensure the future of local journalism in Phoenix. Thanks for reading Phoenix New Times.

We know — the economic times are hard. We believe that our work of reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now is more important than ever.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$7,000

$3,400

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "21251496",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "21327862",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "16759093",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "21934225",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25          
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17012245",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

A couple weeks back, the indie rock skies opened up as Rilo Kiley announced their first new show in nearly two decades. The group (comprised of Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre De Reeder and Jason Boesel) were a featured addition to the Pasadena, Calif. Just Like Heaven fest slated for May 10.

Now, the indie magic continues upward and onward as Rilo Kiley has announced a full set of U.S. tour dates for May. That includes a May 12 date at Phoenix's The Van Buren in addition to other festival shows at both the Kilby Block Party and Treefort Music Fest.

Rilo Kiley started up in 1998, but didn't really make noise until the release of their debut album, 2001's "Take-Offs and Landings." While they toured and released regularly in the intervening years, issues emerged in 2010/2011 with in-fighting and teases of long breaks for the band. Lewis officially confirmed the band's break up circa 2014, but she and Sennett did come together to perform "Portions for Foxes" at Coachella 2015.

It seems the band are hoping to seize on recent nostalgia for early 2000s indie rock in a major way.

"It's going to be wonderful for us, like going back to the purest version of yourself, that early ’20s place where everything is possible," says Lewis in a statement. "You're in a van and Jason's got the map, Pierre is behind the wheel and I’m on the shitty acoustic guitar on the bench seat working out a new song with Blake. I don't think it's ever been as good as that, when it was just us against the world."

In addition to the tour, Rilo Kiley have also announced a special reissue of 2002's "The Execution of All Things." The "Frozen Lake Edition" (due out April 25 from Saddle Creek) will be available in three configurations: "a deluxe LP (cloudy transparent and cream vinyl), a bonus limited edition 7-inch (transparent vinyl), LP (cloudy clear vinyl) and CD." In the meantime, check out a tour teaser below.
Tickets are on sale Friday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. local time via RiloKiley.com.

The full list of North American tour dates is below. And for more local concert information, visit the Phoenix New Times concert calendar.

May 5, San Luis Obispo, Calif., Fremont Theatre
May 7, Ojai, Calif., Libbey Bowl
May 10, Pasadena, Calif., Just Like Heaven
May 12, Phoenix, The Van Buren
May 14, Morrison, Colo., Red Rocks Amphitheatre
May 16, Salt Lake City, Utah, Kilby Block Party
May 17, Boise, Idaho, Treefort Music Fest
May 19, Jackson, Wyo., Center for the Arts
May 21, Vancouver, Commodore Ballroom
May 23, Portland, Ore., McMenamins Grand Lodge

Chris Coplan spent time as the Phoenix New Times music editor in early 2025. He has been a professional writer since the 2010s, having started his professional career at Consequence. Since then, he's also been published with TIME, Complex, and other outlets. Chris started freelance writing with New Times in 2018 about all things music. He lives in Central Phoenix with his wife, stepdaughter, a dumb but lovable dog, and two bossy cats.

A message from Music Editor Amy Young: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Phoenix's music, events and entertainment scenes.

Support Today