Rilo Kiley officially reuniting for Just Like Heaven Festival, promise new tour
Archival, c/o Nasty Little Man

Rilo Kiley officially reuniting for Just Like Heaven Festival, promise new tour

Rilo Kiley – the indie rock band fronted by Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennett – hasn't been seen live since 2008 after their disbandment in 2013.

But now, as was heavily rumored, they're returning to the stage for the first time in 17 years for Just Like Heaven Festival. The fest just announced in 2025 lineup, and RK are right there on the poster.

Just Like Heaven poster

The California festival will also feature appearances from Vampire Weekend, Empire of the Sun, Block Part, TV On the Radio, and many more. It's a one-day festival that takes place May 10 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Rilo Kiley did release an archival compilation called rkives in 2013, but Under the Blacklight was the last time we got a new studio release. Formed in the late 90s when ex-child acting stars Lewis (Troop Beverly Hills) and Sennett (Nickelodeon's Salute Your Shorts) joined forces with bassist Pierre De Reeder and drummer Jason Boesel. The quartet put out their debut EP in 1999, then went on to put out their debut LP on Barsuk records called Take Offs and Landings.

It wasn't until 2002's The Execution of All Things, released via Saddle Creek, that the band broke through to a wider audience and more critical praise. They went on to release More Adventurous in 2004 on Brute/Beaute, before landing on Warner Bros. for Blacklight. After four albums, the band called it quits.

Sennett continued on working with his side project, The Elected, releasing three albums, but hasn't put one out since 2011. Meanwhile, Lewis built a robust solo career, having released her fifth solo album (Joy'all) in 2023.

In a statement, the band says:

"We are so very excited to come back together for Just Like Heaven in Pasadena, California—Los Angeles. As a band, we began here, and we feel so fortunate to return among so many artists and friends, to this community we hold so dear, in such a beautiful and meaningful place."

The band is also promising a tour called the Sometimes When You're On, You're Really F**king On Tour, named after a line from their classic "A Better Son/Daughter". More details on that are to follow, as per their Instagram.

You can find tickets to Just Like Heaven Festival here. They go on sale Friday at 11AM PT.

Jeremy J. Fisette

Connecticut

Writer, musician, editor, podcaster. Editor-in-chief & video editor of The Needle Drop.

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