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Kilby Court: The real-life Garage Band

A Kilby Court employee sits at the ticket booth, ready to take tickets for the Public Access T.V. and Hinds concert. When guests walk through the gate to enter the venue, they are greeted by the outdoor part of the venue. Photos by Nicole Gamble

A Kilby Court employee sits at the ticket booth, ready to take tickets for the Public Access T.V. and Hinds concert. When guests walk through the gate to enter the venue, they are greeted by the outdoor part of the venue. Photos by Nicole Gamble

Pumping live, local music from a rusting garage, Kilby Court is an off-beat and affordable space for students to get a taste of alternative music.

Kilby Court is an all-ages concert venue located in Salt Lake City at 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West). There’s a show almost every night, and the venue reaches capacity at 200.

When guests arrive to the venue, they are welcomed by an outdoor area containing several posters advertising future shows, a firepit and a few benches for sitting.

Just past the firepit is the beaten-up garage door opening to enter the venue. The entire garage, inside and out, is covered with stickers and signatures from previous performers and visitors.

Don’t judge the garage venue at first glance. Kilby Court gives off a “warm, friendly, and comforting” vibe, said Izzy Fernandez, the local talent booker.

“It has a really good energy,” said Fernandez about Kilby Court. “I feel like a lot of other venues don’t have that warm community vibe. It’s one of those venues where if you go alone you don’t feel insecure.”

Public Access T.V. band members Pete, Xan, John and Max perform at Kilby Court during the Hinds tour. Not only is Kilby Court for local bands, it’s also for bands passing through on tour.

Public Access T.V. band members Pete, Xan, John and Max perform at Kilby Court during the Hinds tour. Not only is Kilby Court for local bands, it’s also for bands passing through on tour.

Compared to other venues like The Complex and The Depot, Kilby Court is smaller in size.

“You get a better chance at meeting musicians or interacting with them [at Kilby]” said Brandi Richardson, sophomore art major.

Richardson has been attending concerts at Kilby Court for the past four years.

“I usually look forward to [Kilby Court],” Richardson said. “I’ve been to a lot of venues and [it’s] just a different experience.”

Kilby Court isn’t a typical concert venue to visitors, according to Pete Sustarsic, a member of the band Public Access T.V.

“Basically, it’s like doing a house show, but it’s a legit venue,” Sustarsic said. “It’s like a neighborhood spot that the kids [can] come to.”

Not only does Kilby Court offer an up-close experience but also inexpensive ticket prices.

“The fact that all of the local shows are always $6 is definitely great for college students,” said Fernandez, sophomore at the University of Utah.

For students who feel they haven’t connected to the Salt Lake City area, Kilby Court can make that transition smoother.

“Kilby really helped me adjust,” said Fernandez, who moved multiple times because her father was in the military.

Kilby Court has been a haven for Fernandez and for other music-loving students, as well.

“It’s a rad place,” said Richardson, a student at Westminster. “Just go. You’re not going to regret it.”

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