This summer, I sat at my laptop endlessly refreshing a web page as I fought the great ticket war for the Band Camino’s “Tour Before the Tour,” a run of small-scale shows in select cities across the U.S. The Chicago date at Schubas Tavern (a 250-capacity room in Lakeview) was undeniably intimate. But as much as the band clearly loved this set-up, co-vocalists Jeffery Jordan and Spencer Stewart, along with drummer Garrison Burgess, were already looking forward to their sold-out show at the Salt Shed. “Will we see any of you in November?” Jordan asked, drawing a wave of cheers from the crowd.
Formed in Memphis in 2015, the Band Camino recently released their third studio album, NeverAlways, which instantly became a fan favorite. During the VIP Q&A before the show, a fan asked, “When are you going to play the [Las Vegas] Sphere?”
“Whenever you guys stop gatekeeping us!” Jordan replied playfully. And he’s not entirely wrong. To fans, the Band Camino feels like one of the best bands in the world and somehow still our best-kept secret—a paradox shaped by how deeply they stay connected with their audience and the care they pour into every detail of their brand.
Going to a Camino concert isn’t just about getting to hear those crystal-clear vocals and their signature layered electric guitars; crisp synth-bass; and bright, modern pop-rock textures. It’s an experience. The show’s lighting was meticulously timed to amplify each song’s mood. Though the large mirror affixed to Burgess’s drum riser was their only stage “prop,” it was a stroke of genius. As an audience member, you tend to lose sight of the crowd’s energy as you get closer to the stage and your focus stays fixed on the performers. The mirror changed that, cleverly positioned to reflect us and make our reactions and emotions part of the performance. It felt as if the band had brought us onstage with them.
The set began with a bold move: after walking out to “HasJustBegun,” the short intro track of the band’s new album, they launched straight into one of their most famous songs, “Daphne Blue.”
For fans who hadn’t peeked at the set list ahead of time, the song’s appearance was a massive surprise, one that energized the room with its catchy melody. The lyrics capture a moment of unexpected nostalgia as a stranger’s outfit reminds the narrator of an old flame: “I love it, but I hate that/ black jeans and Daphne blue/ still make me think of you.” Paired with a burst of blue confetti, the unexpected opener set the tone for a 27-song night that satisfied both diehard and casual fans, even including a cover of Justin Bieber’s “DAISIES.”
From NeverAlways, the band also played “Baggy Jeans,” a breakup track about being dismissed as casually as a chore: “Like I was right before the groceries on a list of your to-do’s/ You crushed all of my dreams in the hour that you had free/ Break my heart in baggy jeans, wreck my life so casually,” Jordan sings to an upbeat melody.
Later in the night, a stripped-down acoustic mini-set included one of the album’s most emotional tunes. “Hates Me Yet (222)” is a poetic, lullaby-like tune that reflects on all the little details you remember about a person after a relationship ends, like their “angel numbers,” preferred ice cream toppings, and favorite artist. This kind of vulnerable, emotional lyricism is a signature of the band, and it’s part of what makes their songs resonate so deeply. It’s music that makes you feel.
Throughout the set, I saw nothing but genuine smiles all around me, couples leaning into each other, groups of friends with their arms slung over one another’s shoulders, and fans trading friendship bracelets and holding handmade signs. However, the most special moment of the evening came at the very end.
As the set closed and a second cloud of blue confetti swept over the crowd, the band came together to take a bow. Right before they did, Jordan, Stewart, Burgess, and McHugh exchanged a quick glance and a warm, knowing smile. It was a blink-and-you’d-miss-it moment, but it was filled with an unspoken declaration of “We did it.” Whether “it” means forming a successful band, completing a 27-date headlining tour across North America, releasing a critically acclaimed third studio album, or earning the unwavering adoration of over 3,000 audience members in this show, the Band Camino has undeniably done it.
