American Football Covered The Cure's Boys Don't Cry

The band delivered a slowed-down, acoustic rendition of the classic track for a recent in-studio session.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Football

Graphic editorial illustration of two interlocking acoustic guitars and abstract sound waves, rendered in a vintage indie-rock poster style. — Indie band American Football released a slowed-down, acoustic cover of The Cure's 1980 hit Boys Don't Cry during a recent SiriusXMU studio session. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

American Football performed an acoustic cover of the 1980 hit Boys Don't Cry by The Cure during an in-studio session for SiriusXMU. The band reinterpreted the song with interweaving acoustic guitar lines and funereal harmonies.

Why it matters

The Cure served as a formative influence on the band, which has been active in the indie music scene since reuniting in 2014. This performance highlights the musical roots that helped shape the group's sound over the last decade.

American Football has released four studio albums since their 2014 reunion. The band's recent performance utilized a slowed tempo and complex acoustic guitar arrangements to transform the original track.

The players

American Football

American Football is an influential American rock band known for their significant contributions to the emo and math rock genres.

Mike Kinsella

Mike Kinsella is a multi-instrumentalist and the frontman of American Football who has been a central figure in the Midwest indie rock scene.

SiriusXMU

SiriusXMU is a satellite radio channel that focuses on broadcasting indie and college rock music to a national audience.

The details

Singer and guitarist Mike Kinsella led the band through the arrangement at the SiriusXMU studio, emphasizing a melancholic atmosphere. Kinsella also shared a solo instrumental medley on Instagram that combined the new cover with the band's well-known track Never Meant.

American Football reunited in 2014.
Mike Kinsella teased the cover on Instagram on October 6, 2026.

Soccer
Sept. 27
Julian Hall Debuted for U.S. Men's National Team
Soccer
Oct. 5
Howell Replaced Coffey on USWNT Roster for Friendlies
Soccer
Sept. 27
Sebastian Berhalter Led USMNT Past Peru 4-1

Season Trajectory

This performance aligns with the band's ongoing commitment to exploring their formative influences during their post-reunion era. It serves as a creative expansion of their established repertoire, further cementing their status within the current indie landscape.

The availability of this track marks a new point of interest for listeners looking to trace the band's melodic evolution. Fans can access the teaser on social media platforms to hear the instrumental blend of the cover and their classic catalog.

The takeaway

Revisiting formative influences through acoustic arrangements can offer fans a fresh perspective on a band's creative heritage. Listeners can gain insight into a group's sonic development by comparing their original compositions with the work of their musical idols.