Kilby Court Faces Shutdown Over Noise Complaints

Beloved indie music venue in Salt Lake City struggles to reopen after police shutdown

Feb. 4, 2026 at 3:23pm

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Kilby Court, a popular all-ages indie music venue in Salt Lake City, was shut down by police in June 2026 following noise complaints from a neighbor. Venue operator Phil Sherburne is now working to reopen the space while navigating a complex web of local regulations and ordinances. Despite support from the mayor's office, Sherburne faces an uphill battle to bring Kilby Court back in compliance and keep the venue open for the community.

Why it matters

Kilby Court has been a vital hub for the local indie music scene in Salt Lake City, providing a rare all-ages space for up-and-coming bands to perform. Its shutdown highlights the challenges that small, community-focused music venues face in navigating local laws and appeasing disgruntled neighbors, even as they strive to serve an important cultural role.

The details

Kilby Court was shut down by police on June 3, 2026 in response to a noise complaint from a neighbor. Police confiscated $225 from the venue's donation jar and threatened to arrest operator Phil Sherburne if the music didn't stop immediately, despite his attempts to demonstrate the noise level was not excessive. This was not the first time Kilby Court had faced issues with the neighbor, who had previously called the police over a car being parked too close to their vehicle and a Mardi Gras performance. Sherburne is now working to reopen the venue by bringing it into full compliance with local regulations, including obtaining the proper licenses, making the space handicap-accessible, and limiting noise levels. However, he faces significant financial and logistical hurdles in doing so.

  • On June 3, 2026, police shut down Kilby Court in response to a noise complaint.
  • On August 7, 2026, Sherburne and his attorney will have another pretrial hearing regarding the citations issued during the June 3 incident.
  • Sherburne hopes to reopen Kilby Court in time for shows scheduled on August 11 and August 15, 2026.

The players

Phil Sherburne

The resident, furniture builder and operator of Kilby Court, an indie music venue in Salt Lake City.

Officer Brian Bailey

A vice squad officer who responded to the noise complaint at Kilby Court on June 3, 2026 and confiscated the venue's donation jar.

Gentry Densley

A musician who helped announce to the crowd that they had to leave Kilby Court when police ordered the music to stop.

Angela H. Brown

The managing editor of SLUG Magazine, who protected her right to photograph the incident by flashing her press credentials when an officer threatened to confiscate her camera.

Lewis Francis

Sherburne's attorney, who filed a motion for discovery to list the exact ordinances Kilby Court was cited for.

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What they’re saying

“Although it's impossible to turn down a band, with all their instruments, all at once.”

— Phil Sherburne, Venue operator (slugmag.com)

“I don't want to plead guilty because I don't think I was doing anything wrong.”

— Phil Sherburne, Venue operator (slugmag.com)

“The laws seem to be set up so that there are enough ordinances that, more than likely, you will violate one. If someone wants to shut you down, they probably can. It will be a tightrope act to make sure nothing happens.”

— Phil Sherburne, Venue operator (slugmag.com)

“Visiting bands 'appreciate being able to play for a crowd that is actually listening to you, unlike in a bar'.”

— Rex Shelverton, Musician with band Vue (slugmag.com)

“I'd like to see a representative of the police come down and talk to people who hang out here, to try to explain the police point of view. I think they've taken 'To Protect and Serve' off their squad cars and replaced it with just 'To Enforce.'”

— Phil Sherburne, Venue operator (slugmag.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on August 7, 2026 whether or not to allow Phil Sherburne to reopen Kilby Court.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges that small, community-focused music venues face in navigating complex local regulations and appeasing disgruntled neighbors, even as they strive to provide vital cultural spaces. Kilby Court's struggle to reopen underscores the need for greater dialogue and understanding between venues, law enforcement, and local residents.