There’s no place like Denton where creativity walks every street and music spills from every corner. From Wednesday, April 23, through Sunday, April 27, Thin Line Fest transformed this artistic haven into a living, breathing celebration of sound and vision. With its infectious energy and offbeat charm, Thin Line once again proved that Denton isn’t just a town but a muse, an incubator for wild energy and unbridled talent.
Here’s a closer look at the acts that made this festival unforgettable.
Max Diaz
When Max Diaz took the stage, Friday night at East Side Bar felt like an unpredictable fever dream. Clad in cowboy attire, with a band that could have stepped straight out of a rock 'n' roll grunge manual, the Houston-based group defied expectations.
With his mix of goofball charm and raging artistry, Diaz had the crowd hooked before they knew it. Starting strong with “Bet on Black,” a song that thrives on distortion and Deftones-like energy, Diaz grabbed the audience—not to mention a few moshers in front of the stage.
“This song means a lot to me; this song is about jerking off,” he said, showing some of his cheeky humor. The emotion was met in his lyrics: "I feel alive."
Max Diaz made it clear that when their band’s in town, you show up, you move and throw up some devil horns.
While punk rock may thrive on imperfection, Slow Joy pulled back the curtain on the band’s dynamics and brought a buzzkill to an otherwise thrilling set.
Preston Barta
Slow Joy
Esteban Flores of Slow Joy began their set with a genuine warmth that instantly resonated with the crowd. Addressing fans with an upbeat “I see you; I see the homies!” Flores set the stage for a punk-infused performance alternating between raucous chaos and tender, reflective interludes. The audience screamed along to every word, and the sense of community grew as Flores jumped into the crowd and invited fans to sing parts of his songs.
But the electric atmosphere took an abrupt turn in the set's final stretch. During one of their last songs, Flores grew visibly frustrated and stopped the performance, blaming his guitarist for botched chords. The tension deepened when he punctuated the moment with the cutting remark, “Not my fault.” This harsh callout drained the energy that had been building all night, leaving the crowd in an awkward lull that even Flores seemed unable to recover from. This moment stung, pulling back the curtain on the band’s dynamics and bringing a buzzkill to an otherwise thrilling set.
Dome Dwellers
Locals Dome Dwellers turned their mastery of sound into its own kind of musical storytelling. On the surface, they brought math-rock precision, a style marked by intricate guitar and keyboard interplay. Yet, this wasn’t just technical proficiency; it was untamed creativity.
Between their introductions thanking Denton for over a decade of support and their bar-raising sets, Dome Dwellers blended nostalgic grooves with euphoric live energy. It was the kind of set that left you awestruck one minute and dancing the next, capturing both the technical and emotional sides of their artistry.
Primo Danger snagged a little of the spotlight with their theatrical, unfiltered rock performance, proving they could battle playoff hockey.
Preston Barta
Primo Danger
On Saturday night, tall orders greeted Dallas’ Primo Danger when a simultaneous Dallas Stars game on East Side’s Jumbotron competed for the crowd’s attention. But this band, unfazed and unfiltered, turned the struggle into art. Lead singer Phillip Jackson, an enigmatic figure with Frank Zappa vibes, matched the crowd’s split focus with trippy, unbridled chaos.
Their set was equal parts meta-stage banter and hypnotic rock, pulling the audience’s attention back to the stage in bursts of theatrical flair. Primo Danger didn’t demand your attention; they wrestled it away from even the staunchest sports fan with a Butthole Surfers’ flair for the absurd.
Jumprope at Denton’s East Side outdoor stage perfectly blended live music, food trucks, and the golden hour.
Preston Barta
Jumprope
If there’s an award for best use of a stage, Chris Dunaway of Jumprope would claim it with his exuberant energy and bass-heavy finesse. Jumprope held nothing back, blending brooding melodies with unashamedly upbeat charm.
“Optimist” was a standout track, epitomizing their infectious blend of artistry and playfulness. Whether hopping across the stage or creating moments of intimate connection with the crowd, Jumprope reveled in their ability to surprise with every note.
Wombo
One could easily imagine Wombo playing in the shadows of a smoky club, channeling the essence of bands like The Breeders with bursts of St. Vincent-esque theatrics. Their set felt both calculated and raw, with a tension that pulled the audience closer, hanging on every twist and turn.
The guitarist's ferocious attack on his instrument during "Snakey" transformed the set into a visceral memory. Wombo crafted an atmosphere that left you utterly immersed in their world.
Darling Farm
Over at Harvest House, Darling Farm delivered a dynamic set bordered on beautifully absurd. Their sonic chaos was deliberate, with jagged guitars and unpredictable rhythms reminiscent of early Pavement and Modest Mouse. This band didn’t just play songs; they unraveled them like puzzles before a transfixed crowd. Darling Farm turned messiness into an art form, mesmerizing the audience with the madness of it all.
Hey Cowboy! rounded up everyone’s attention at Harvest House with dreamy melodies and tight harmonies.
Preston Barta
Returning to their roots, Hey Cowboy! took the Harvest House stage not as newcomers but as hometown heroes. “This is our stomping ground,” the trio shared, reflecting on the city that birthed their indie-pop bliss.
Their stripped-down style shone, relying on bass, synth, drums and lush harmonies to create a playful and rich sound. The love and nostalgia were palpable as they delivered a set that wasn’t just a performance but a love letter to Denton.
Troubled Minds rocked the East Side’s wooden stage with mint-green guitars and riotous energy.
Preston Barta
Midwest emo had a moment at Thin Line Fest thanks to Troubled Minds. Fans of early Brand New felt like they had stepped into a time machine back to high school make-out sessions and scribbled notebook poetry.
Equal parts nostalgia and rebellion, their set struck a chord with everyone who’s ever found solace in heartfelt lyrics and unfiltered emotion. Troubled Minds was a reminder that emo will forever have a home in Denton’s heart.
Bob Cummins Jr.
Bob Cummins Jr. delivered whimsy and quiet wonder for those who sought a breath of calm. Lush, bittersweet melodies carried echoes of Harry Nilsson and Elliott Smith, making his Thursday set a slow burn amid a festival filled with sonic explosions.
Amid the chaos, Cummins Jr. gave the crowd space to breathe, and his set was a gentle reminder of the beauty in simplicity.
Our Verdict
Thin Line Fest captured everything quintessential about Denton’s spirit. Chill yet vibrant, each venue allowed listeners to lean in or lose themselves in the music. Even surprises like the cancellation of Daze due to a freak accident didn’t dampen the festival’s commitment to its DIY ethos.
Daze announced a sudden cancellation of their set.
@Daze_tx / Instagram
Thin Line Fest made its mark as a loveable mix of strange and soulful. Next year, Thin Line returns earlier, from March 18 to March 22, giving Denton another chance to prove its timeless appeal. It’s a date you might want to mark now because, if Thin Line showed us anything this year, it’s that Denton’s creative heart only beats louder with time.
