As a city, Denver has certain strengths and weaknesses that appeal to different kinds of lifestyles. Foodies would probably be happier in a bigger metro area, and beach bums would balk at our frigid alpine lakes.
Maybe Denver doesn’t have everything desired by everybody, but it makes up for it in a few special ways — namely, with world-class access to the outdoors and a music scene that punches far above its weight for a city of this size. The people who love Denver the most are usually the ones who are deeply passionate about one (or both!) of these hobbies, and they’ve built a unique cultural subset that just makes sense in a place like Colorado.
As such, the addition of a festival like Outside Days felt like a perfect fit for the area when it was first announced in 2024. It offers an interesting combination of outdoorsy activities like rock-climbing and yoga, interactive gear demos, speakers, films, a career summit, and — of course — a full lineup of indie, alternative, and rock music.
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The festival, hosted by Outside Magazine, has only grown since that first year, steadily expanding its offerings and bringing in bigger musical acts. It’s becoming a staple summer kick-off festival for the city; something we desperately need as our events seem to come and go at the drop of a hat. Since I missed the first two years, I was excited and curious to see what this one looked like from the inside.
I’ve attended a fair few mismanaged events, which have given me deep appreciation for festivals that nail all of the details. Despite being a newer gathering (plus a location change this year), Outside Days does just that. The first thing I noticed after entering was how clean the grounds were. There’s something to be said for the outdoor community, because they stayed tidy all weekend.
I’ve long preached that you can tell when a festival is run by people who love festivals, because they always pay attention in just the right places. The countless bar tents kept lines short, and the porta-potties were clean and abundant. I never felt overcrowded, even during the headlining sets on the main stage. There were plenty of shaded areas with seating for hanging out, trash cans, and staff on hand to answer questions or help out.
The music became the main attraction in the evenings, but during the day, the outdoor exposition was the star of the show. There was no shortage of ways to keep busy — you could drive a new Jeep through a simulated backcountry trail, climb a rock wall (legendary climber Alex Honnold just might appear to give you tips), tackle a mini high-ropes course, or custom-build your own spice kit. There were cooking demos, gear demos, brands offering samples of new products, and even a pop-up karaoke bar.
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An unfortunately timed bout of sickness kept me from attending any of the panels, but the lineup of speakers was easily the best Outside Days has pulled together yet. They brought in CEOs, writers, documentary filmmakers, Olympic athletes, chefs, musicians, and more, chatting about everything from the realities of hiking Mount Everest to surfing to policy changes in the outdoor industry. I was bummed to miss out on the talks, but it gives me a lot to look forward to next year.
I could easily keep you here with rambles about how pleased I was with the organizational side, but let’s get to the most important part: the music.
This year’s edition featured 16 artists, including headliners Cage the Elephant, Death Cab for Cutie, and My Morning Jacket. Rounding out the undercard was an impressive mix consisting of The Flaming Lips, Tash Sultana, Grouplove, Goth Babe, Japanese Breakfast, Denver-based Brothers of Brass, and more.
At small festivals, it can occasionally feel like the artists aren’t putting in 100% of what they have to offer. I can truthfully say I never felt that way at Outside Days. Every set and band brought something unique to the table, whether it was laid-back indie ballads or an upbeat performance featuring giant inflatables (truly, The Flaming Lips and their cacophony of props are a sight to behold).
Although I enjoyed every musical act I saw, a few of them stood out. Cage the Elephant was a delight, and they played through a rotation of 2000s and 2010s hits that connected with the entire audience. Grouplove, similarly, sounded incredible live and brought everyone together for a high-energy rendition of the iconic “Tongue Tied.” In one particularly memorable moment, Goth Babe threw a brand-new blender into the crowd.
My favorite set, which also brought about my personal highlight of the weekend, was Tash Sultana. In the middle of an incredible solo performance consisting of playing multiple instruments and singing, they paused during sunset to point out a rainbow that had formed behind the crowd. After confessing that their dog had died a few days earlier, they went on to explain that they’ve always viewed rainbows as a good omen from loved ones on the other side–dogs included. It could have been the passing rain, but there weren’t many dry eyes around me after that speech.
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Gatherings such as this one are good for the local economy and for the self, but they’re also valuable additions to the entire community. I ran into people I haven’t seen in ages, and met others from all walks of life who share the same passions. The people were friendly, the vibes were fantastic, and it reminded me how good we really have it in the Mile High City.
All in all, it was a beautiful few days. I’m incredibly pleased to see such a lovely and unique event find a home in Denver, and I sincerely hope to see it back here every summer for years to come.
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Featured Image Credit: Outside Days Instagram
