HUSBANDS: OUTSIDE FESTIVAL DAY 1
BY EMMALEE SULLIVAN
Starting around 3 p.m., indie garage rock band Husbands brought an atmospheric, light head-banging energy to the Denver stage. They opened with their hit “Wishbone,” a techno-tinged tune layered with nostalgia. The track felt like what you'd get if Mac DeMarco, Bo Burnham, and Mickey Darling had an indie rock baby with political awareness.
As I moved from the photo pit to the back of the festival grounds, I noticed how much their crowd had grown—stretching all the way to the food trucks at the back of the park. There was a unique balance of high energy and calmness in their smooth, carefully curated setlist.
The third song, “Must Be a Cop,” felt like Fontaines D.C. had embraced surf rock—unexpected, but it worked beautifully. Despite the summery sound, the song included layered keys and vocals that pushed beyond typical beach-day music.
Husbands wrapped up their set with “Mexico,” a more upbeat track driven by energetic drums and a nostalgic guitar riff. It stood out for showcasing lead singer Danny Davis’ vocal range through sustained notes, echo effects, and dynamic pitch changes.
Husbands know how to make indie rock both energetic and melancholy, evoking a range of emotions across their performance. Driving home Sunday night, feeling the familiar post-festival blues, I realized “Must Be a Cop” perfectly captured my sense of nostalgia and peace after such an incredible weekend.
