Live Review: Rilo Kiley with Jean-Luc Eldenwood at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City, 5/27/26

Rilo Kiley have reunited and are back on the road for their “When You’re On, You’re Really F**king On” tour, and fans are psyched. After essentially calling it quits 17 years ago, the band officially regrouped its original lineup of Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, and Jason Boesel. With no new music in the works (as far as we know) the band instead released a greatest hits compilation titled That’s How We Choose to Remember It and set off on the reunion tour.

In the midst of a mostly sold-out expedition across the U.S. and around the world, Rilo Kiley once again proved what an intense and fantastic live band they are, delivering a show that rivals just about anyone’s. Lewis has released a string of solo albums that earned both critical and commercial attention, but on this night at the historic Uptown Theater in Kansas City, it was all about the foursome’s kinetic chemistry and enduring bond. “The Execution of All Things” opened the evening. The title track from the beloved 2002 album remains a fan favorite and immediately ignited the crowd.

Lewis, a former child actor, is a natural onstage: confident, charismatic, and fully commanding. Sennett, who handles guitar and shares lead vocals, is equally comfortable in his rockstar skin. The two bantered back and forth between songs, underscoring the close-knit relationships that still define the band. Lewis, a consummate musician, seamlessly switched between bass, guitar, and keyboards, while her voice remained expressive and powerful throughout the set of indie-pop gems.

The unofficial member of the band, however, was the audience itself. Fans called-and-responded, sang through nearly every song, and showered the stage with affection all night long. It created a magical atmosphere fueled by selections spanning the group’s catalog.

Each song seemed to gain momentum as the set progressed, and the crowd was fully invested from start to finish. Alongside several tracks from The Execution of All Things, the band leaned heavily into More Adventurous, including a scorching rendition of the Bush administration takedown “It’s a Hit.” Lewis delivered lines like a paintball barrage:

“Any chimp can play human for a day / Use his opposable thumbs to iron his uniform / And run for office on election day / Fancy himself a real decision maker.”

The set closed with a fierce rendition of “Portions for Foxes,” one of the group’s signature songs centered on the toxicity and emotional wreckage of a failing relationship. Lewis delivered the unforgettable line, “There’s blood in my mouth ’cause I’ve been biting my tongue all week,” with equal parts vulnerability and defiance. The song captures the damage inflicted on both sides of a codependent relationship, culminating in Lewis repeatedly shouting, “Baby, I’m bad news,” as the crowd enthusiastically sang along.

Drummer Jason Boesel put on an absolute clinic in rock drumming, playing as though his life depended on giving both the band and audience the best possible show. He was a beast behind the kit, providing the relentless heartbeat of the performance. Bassist Pierre de Reeder anchored the rhythm section with equal intensity, reinforcing just how cohesive and locked-in this reunited band has become. Rilo Kiley is a group that simply must be experienced live.

After an extended encore delay, which Lewis later explained with an apologetic, “They told us the soundboard was broken,” the band started where they left off, playing “With Arms Outstretched,” another massive fan favorite. Next came “Frug” from the their self-titled debut, during which a crew member danced playfully behind Lewis throughout the song, adding to the night’s loose and joyful atmosphere.

The gorgeous “Pictures of Success” brought the evening to a close. In the song, Lewis sings, “When you’re dead / In hospitals and freeways / When you’re dead / In resting homes and clinics / When you’re dead / It must be nice to finish,” conveying a weary impatience with life’s endless grind and disappointments.

But for the devoted fans inside the Uptown Theater, the night felt far too short. Rilo Kiley soon heads overseas to the UK, where eager audiences await the return of one of indie rock’s most beloved bands. If you get the chance, buy the ticket. This show may not change your life, but it’ll come awfully close.

Opening act Jean-Luc Eldenwood proved to be a welcome surprise. Touring behind his new album The Beach, the dream-folk songwriter sat at the keyboard and quickly won over the crowd during his brief but captivating set. Known for his West Coast pop aesthetic and hazy, introspective sound, Eldenwood showcased his talents beautifully on songs like “My Baby” and “Red Rose.”

At one point, a woman in the crowd apparently passed out, prompting EMTs to arrive near the stage. Eldenwood, eyes closed and fully immersed in the performance, never realized what had happened and continued playing uninterrupted. It was an unintentionally surreal moment during an otherwise mesmerizing opening set.

For more information on Rilo Kiley, check out the Bandcamp page and the their website. And check out the #SetListPlayList below to relive the show.