Backyard Beats: The indie uprising of Fort Collins

By HOPE CAIAZZA
Special to The Ramspondents

Being stuffed into a sweaty living room like sardines sounds like a nightmare to some, but for other Colorado State University students, it’s what they look forward to all week.

On a typical Friday night, students get shoved and tossed around to the rhythm of a beat-up drum kit in the corner. Wails and screeches explode from the guitar amp propped up on the couch. The smell of sweat and beer fills the room as the floorboards creak from the jumping and dancing, while more students pack in to experience the house party of the night.

In college, many students are seeking fun ways to form community and connections with others, and for some, house shows have been their saving grace. In recent years, many CSU alumni and students have acknowledged the surge in DIY concerts and indie bands in Fort Collins.

​Many people active in the music scene say that since the election of Donald Trump, political unrest has led to another resurgence of post-punk and indie bands, especially in college towns. Stefania Ganoung, a self-proclaimed house show fanatic, said she has experienced this first-hand in both California and the Fort Collins indie movement.

“Politics are deeply intertwined with alternative cultures as a whole, not just the punk scene,” Ganoung said. “For me, it's so comforting to go to local shows and meet people who create a community based on similar values of inclusion, equity, and kindness, all stemming from the deeply rooted political beliefs of alternative culture and being able to enjoy music together.”

Snow Day, a local Fort Collins band composed of CSU students, is known for giving political speeches and offering commentary at its shows. Lead singer and guitarist Jack DeStefano frequently expresses his distaste for Trump and shares his political opinions from the stage.

​“I think everyone should be speaking their mind about politics, especially given the current political climate,” DeStefano said. “I’m on a microphone in front of a good amount of people, so I think it's a good time to do that. When we performed at the Coast right after Charlie Kirk died, the venue told us not to say anything political on stage or else they were going to kick us out. They told every band that, but none of us listened, and they didn’t end up kicking anyone out. Some venue owners don’t like it when you bring up politics.”

Newer Fort Collins bands have emerged during this time of political tension. Ellie Brown, the lead singer of the local band NOkay, said the group has been active for less than a year but has played numerous house shows and local venues.

Before Brown became involved in the scene, she viewed house shows as a way to connect with people and make new friends with similar interests. But now that she performs with NOkay and has met and played with many local bands, her perspective has shifted from being in the audience to being in front of it.

“As musicians, we tend to overthink it too much, but there’s really not much to think about,” Brown said. “I feel like there’s no judgment at house shows. It's just college kids wanting to have a good time.”

As the indie scene grows, many bands are working together to expand the sound and audience of the Fort Collins community. One example is FoCoMX, Colorado’s largest live music event supported by locals. Last year, more than 400 Colorado bands performed during the two-day festival.

​Brown said that as this collective effort continues, she hopes to see one more development in the future.

“It’s been so cool to watch local bands blossom and college musicians come together and throw really cool shows,” Brown said. “But in the future, I’d like to see college kids collaborating with the older music scene, too. I think it would be a great way for both of us to grow as musicians and reach more crowds.”

​As sweaty living rooms continue to fill, more beers spill from red Solo cups onto worn carpets, and as audiences collectively headbang to the rhythm of that same beat-up drum kit in the corner, people are finding a sense of community in Fort Collins. By promoting new music, fueling political action, and cultivating a genuine community, the local DIY music scene is not just in full bloom but on the cusp of an even brighter future.

Find which local band aligns most with your personal musical preferences

Hope Caiazza interviews members of Fort Collins band Local Supply.

This project originated from the CSU Journalism and Media Communication Department class “Online Storytelling and Audience Engagement,” taught by Michelle Ancell. The class was taught in the fall of 2025.