Thursday , 11 September 2025

No products in the cart.

Home Entertainment Rilo Kiley played first NYC shows in 17 years (Central Park pics, video, setlist)

Rilo Kiley played first NYC shows in 17 years (Central Park pics, video, setlist)

4 Mins read

While a lot of ink has (deservedly) been spilled about the Oasis reunion this summer, they aren’t the only beloved band who have returned recently to play their first shows in over 15 years. Rilo Kiley began their reunion back in May, and in late August they finally hit the East Coast, where they made four stops in the NYC area: two in Manhattan, one in Asbury Park, and one in Port Chester. The last of those, on Monday night (9/8) at SummerStage in Central Park, was the first to be announced, and it’s the one I went to. It was a perfect late summer night with a touch of fall in the air, and after an opening set from Seattle singer-songwriter Dean Johnson and an introduction from comedian and actor Dave Foley, who attended their first show and helped fund their first self-titled/The Initial Friend EP, Rilo Kiley took the stage in front of a wide panel of circular lights that reminded me a little of Baby’s All Right’s iconic backdrop. After recently witnessing the audiovisual spectacular that is Nine Inch Nails’ “Peel It Back” tour, this is decidedly more subdued, but Rilo Kiley’s classic songs are so special and sounded so sublime it was all the accompaniment they needed.

Jenny Lewis has been known to play Rilo Kiley songs in her solo sets, but for at least some of the crowd — me included – it was our first time witnessing many of them live, and performed by the full band. All around me, people were singing along to beloved tracks off The Execution of All Things and More Adventurous — plus a few off their final album, 2007’s Under the Blacklight, a couple off their debut LP, 2001’s Take Offs and Landings, and one, “The Frug,” off The Initial Friend. They played just about everything I wanted to hear — although I would’ve loved to hear everything — and played Blacklight‘s “Breakin’ Up” for the first time since their reunion began. Jenny’s vocals sounded as soaring as ever on “I Never,” and she led the crowd in a massive singalong of “With Arms Outstretched” (many raised arms included). See pictures from Monday night, the setlist, and video clips below.

Rilo Kiley’s tour currently runs into October, where it wraps up at Las Vegas festival Best Friends Forever. See all dates below, and pick up vinyl in the BV shop.

Dean Johnson at SummerStage in Central Park

Dean Johnson (photo by Amanda M Hatfield)

Dave Foley at SummerStage in Central Park

Dave Foley (photo by Amanda M Hatfield)

Rilo Kiley at SummerStage in Central Park

Rilo Kiley (photo by Amanda M Hatfield)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BrooklynVegan (@brooklynvegan)

SETLIST: RILO KILEY @ SUMMERSTAGE IN CENTRAL PARK, 9/8/2025
The Execution of All Things
Wires and Waves
Spectacular Views
The Moneymaker
Dreamworld
I Never
Paint’s Peeling
It’s a Hit
Does He Love You?
Ripchord
The Good That Won’t Come Out
Silver Lining
With Arms Outstretched
A Better Son/Daughter
Portions for Foxes

Encore:
More Adventurous
Frug
Breakin’ Up
Pictures of Success

RILO KILEY: 2025 TOUR DATES
10 Sep The Anthem Washington, DC
11 Sep Roxian Theatre Mckees Rocks, PA
13 Sep Bourbon & Beyond 2025 Louisville, Kentucky
14 Sep Meijer Gardens Summer Series Grand Rapids, MI
16 Sep Palace Theatre Saint Paul, MN
17 Sep The Astro Amphitheater Omaha, NE
19 Sep Riot Fest 2025 Chicago, IL
21 Sep Sing Out Loud Festival 2025 St. Augustine, FL
23 Sep The Pinnacle Nashville, TN
24 Sep Red Hat Amphitheater Raleigh, NC
26 Sep The Eastern Atlanta, GA
27 Sep Asheville Yards Asheville, NC
28 Sep Avondale Brewing Company Birmingham, AL
08 Oct Aztec Theatre San Antonio, TX
09 Oct The Bomb Factory Dallas, TX
10 Oct Austin City Limits Music Festival 2025 Austin, TX
12 Oct Best Friends Forever 2025 Las Vegas, NV