We're not gonna lie -- we're huge Rilo Kiley fans…and fans of Jenny Lewis in general. And we totally heart their new album, Under The Blacklight, their first album together since 2004's More Adventurous. (If you don't have it, pick it up immediately!) So thank goodness we were on hand to see the band play their second show of their sold-out two-night stint at NYC's Webster Hall.
Grand Ole Party and Jenny's adorable BF, Johnathan Rice were the opening acts (one of our fave parts of the night was when Jenny joined Johnathan onstage for a song, awww!), but once RK took the stage, it wouldn't have mattered who warmed up the crowd -- no introduction whatsoever was necessary. With little between-song banter, they banged out old fan favorites, like "It's A Hit" and "Portions For Foxes," and new tracks off Under The Blacklight, like "Moneymaker" and "Silver Lining." Besides singing her heart out with gorgeously crisp vocals, Jenny showed her ultimate musicianship playing the synthesizer, guitar, and cowbell. She rocked out on "Smoke Detector," got soulful with "I Never," gave homage to her solo album with "Rise Up With Fists!!!" and let guitarist/backing vocalist Blake Sennett take center stage with ukulele-based tune, "Ripchord." My favorite song of the night, however, was "Does He Love You?" which closed out the night.
One thing's for sure -- Rilo Kiley glisten on their records, but it's under the concert lights where they really dazzle.


