Rilo Kiley at The Anthem: A Reunion That Felt Like Coming Home
Word and photos by Michael Sprouse/ Odd Rocker Photography
Walking into The Anthem on a gray September night, you could feel the buzz before you even saw the crowd. It wasn’t the usual low murmur of people waiting for doors — it was louder, almost impatient, like a collective whisper of “I can’t believe this is actually happening.” Rilo Kiley, the band that taught a whole generation that indie rock could be both vulnerable and biting, finally standing together onstage again in Washington, DC.
For fans who lived through the band’s initial rise, and for younger listeners who only discovered their records long after the split, this wasn’t just another concert. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime gathering, a reunion between old friends and long-saved memories. With Rilo Kiley, their music was always personal, almost diary-like, yet big enough to fill rooms like The Anthem. Jenny Lewis has gone on to a rich solo career, Blake Sennett found his own paths, but when they’re together, something sparks. It’s the way their songs hang in the air, how they cut straight to the heart without trying too hard.
At The Anthem on Sept. 10, the band opened with “The Execution of All Things,” the title track that’s always carried a strange weight, part dreamscape, part confession. Jenny’s voice sounded sharp and clear, almost defiant, and Blake’s guitar lines gave it that brittle edge. Standing in the middle of the floor, you could feel The Anthem vibrate, not just from the low end, but from the energy of people around you — singing every word like they’d been waiting fifteen years for the chance.
It was smart, too. They could’ve gone with an obvious hit, but instead they planted the flag: we’re still Rilo Kiley, still the band that writes about messy feelings and fractured relationships with a wink and a smirk.
When they moved into “Wires and Waves,” it felt almost hushed by comparison. That song has always been delicate, stitched together like it could unravel at any second. But live, it was stronger, fuller, like time had toughened it up. Jenny leaned into the lines about being lost and disoriented, and the audience leaned with her. Sometimes the quiet songs hit harder than the loud ones, because you realize everyone in the room is holding their breath.
By “Spectacular Views,” the hush broke into motion. The track’s playful rhythms gave the crowd a chance to move, sway, and shout. It was almost surprising how natural the transition felt, like flipping through pages in a well-worn journal.
And then, “The Moneymaker.” You could tell by the first bass thump — everyone knew what was coming. That song, with its slinky groove and slightly sleazy wink, was built for big stages, and it still slaps live. Jenny prowled the stage with the kind of confidence that only comes from years of both solo spotlight and band history. If anyone worried this reunion might feel rusty, this performance killed those doubts quick.
Watch the official music video for “The Moneymaker” by Rilo Kiley on YouTube:
The contrast with “Dreamworld” — a song Blake carried with a mix of sweetness and fragility — was striking. It reminded me that Rilo Kiley was never just one voice, but a balancing act between perspectives, between Jenny’s fire and Blake’s melancholy. That balance is what made their records timeless.
The middle stretch — “I Never,” “Paint’s Peeling,” “It’s a Hit” — played out like chapters in a novel. Each one brought a different shade: heartbreak, cynicism, a bit of sly political bite. “It’s a Hit” in particular felt more relevant than ever, its commentary sharper with age. Jenny smirked through the verses, but her delivery carried a sting.
“Does He Love You?” was devastating, though. That song has always been brutal, pulling apart a relationship with surgical precision. Live, it was a showstopper. People around me mouthed every word, some with eyes closed, some gripping their partner’s hand. It’s the kind of song that doesn’t just get played — it gets lived, every time.
When “Ripcord” rolled out, the room softened again. It’s one of those deceptively simple songs that sneak up on you. Then came “The Good That Won’t Come Out,” and suddenly I was back in my first apartment, sitting on the floor with headphones, wondering why these songs felt like they were written for me. That’s the magic of nostalgia — you don’t just remember the music, you remember yourself at the time you first heard it.
“Silver Lining” lifted the energy again, and The Anthem practically became a choir. That chorus — “I was your silver lining, but now I’m gold” — echoed with thousands of voices. It was communal, cathartic, maybe even healing.
Watch Rilo Kiley perform “Silver Lining” live for Jimmy Kimmel Live on YouTube:
By the time they hit “Breakin’ Up” and “With Arms Outstretched,” you could feel momentum building. Jenny’s delivery on “Breakin’ Up” was playful, ironic, but also knowing — it’s always been a song that makes heartbreak feel almost fun, which is a strange trick to pull off.
And “With Arms Outstretched?” That’s one of those songs that transforms live. People put their arms around each other, strangers or not, swaying and singing like it was some sort of hymn. You don’t plan that — it just happens, and it’s why we still go to concerts even when streaming gives us everything at home.
Then came “A Better Son/Daughter.” If you know, you know. That track has been an anthem for anyone who’s wrestled with depression or just needed a reminder that the bad days don’t last forever. The build from quiet beginnings to full-band explosion hit harder than anything else all night. It wasn’t just a song — it was a release.
“Portions for Foxes” closed the main set, and it was pure chaos in the best way. That riff, that vocal snarl, the crowd yelling “Baby, I’m bad news!” like they’d been rehearsing it for years. It was the kind of closer that leaves you buzzing, unsure if you’ve got any energy left but hoping for more anyway.
Watch the official music video for “Portions for Foxes” by Rilo Kiley on YouTube:
Of course, they came back.
The encore started with “More Adventurous,” a perfect choice — hopeful, wise, but still tinged with uncertainty. Then Jenny called back to the beginning with Frug, the quirky dance track from their earliest days. Watching a room full of adults yell “I can do the Frug!” in 2025 was absurd and joyful in equal measure.
They finished with “Pictures of Success,” the slow burn that sums up everything about Rilo Kiley: ambition, fragility, a touch of cynicism, and beauty in the cracks. It wasn’t a bombastic finale, but it felt right. That’s the thing about bands like Rilo Kiley: They don’t just soundtrack a night, they soundtrack lives.
And honestly, it felt good to remember. To stand in a room full of strangers and realize you all carried these songs with you for decades, and now, finally, you got to carry them together.
Setlist
1. The Execution of All Things
2. Wires and Waves
3. Spectacular Views
4. The Moneymaker
5. Dreamworld
6. I Never
7. Paint’s Peeling
8. It’s a Hit
9. Does He Love You?
10. Ripcord
11. The Good That Won’t Come Out
12. Silver Lining
13. Breakin’ Up
14. With Arms Outstretched
15. A Better Son/Daughter
16. Portions for Foxes
Encore
17. More Adventurous
18. Frug
19. Pictures of Success
Here are some photos of Rilo Kiley performing live at The Anthem on Sept. 10, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Michael Sprouse/ Odd Rocker Photography.
