A fixture of Salt Lake City’s music scene has been sold, but the longtime venue won’t miss a beat

A Salt Lake City backyard concert venue beloved by many has been sold, but music lovers have no reason to worry — it’s not going anywhere.

Kilby Court, the all-ages venue near 800 South and 300 West that celebrated its 25th year of business this year, will remain exactly the same, apart from having more accessible bathrooms, according to its new owner, Brandon Blaser. The sale was first reported by news website Building Salt Lake.

Blaser, owner of Blaser Ventures and one of the developers behind Salt Lake City’s Post District just north of Kilby Court, said his decision to purchase properties on the block surrounding the venue stemmed from a desire to preserve what makes Salt Lake City unique.

“We’re not changing Kilby Court,” Blaser said. “We’re not touching Kilby Court as it stands, because it is uniquely special as is. If we try to change anything about it, it would lose what makes it special.”

Blaser described Kilby Court as a fundamental part of the city’s identity, a place where many Salt Lake City residents attended their first concerts. The venue has also hosted several big names early in their career, including Doja Cat, Diplo, MGMT, Mac Miller and My Chemical Romance.

The annual Kilby Block Party has received national recognition, which further motivated Blaser to preserve the area. In his view, the venue has significance to the community as a cultural hub in the city’s rapidly growing Granary District, where he owns nearly 60 acres. As Blaser works to preserve the area’s unique character, he is also attempting to create greater connectivity by breaking down large city blocks.

Previous attempts to redevelop the site had put the venue at risk, he said.

With new development coming to the Granary District, Blaser said he doesn’t want the area to stray from its role as a destination for music and art.

Kilby Court is one of several preservation efforts in the district for Blaser. His company has also worked to restore and develop the next-door Pickle and Hide buildings — the first two industrial structures built in the neighborhood.

“We really just want to highlight and augment and add to what’s made the Granary special and ensure that the people who love it, who it’s their home, that it will remain their home and continue to be a part of it as we continue through its Renaissance and rebirth,” Blaser said. “It’s been forgotten for a long time, but we haven’t forgotten it.”

For his part, Will Sartain, who runs S&S Productions, the booking agency that operates Kilby Court, said he is excited to work with Blaser Ventures.

“They seem to be working toward a long-term plan,” Sartain said, “to keep Kilby Court a fixture in our community.”