The Band Camino is no “Afterthought” for Utah

In 2022, The Band Camino teased a song titled “Afterthought” on their social media. It took like a wildfire quickly growing a loyal fanbase of its own. Everytime they’ve released new music since it’s been met with a call for the release of the song. Finally that call was answered and after 3 years of waiting fans finally got to hear “Afterthought”. Hot off the release of that single, let’s take a look back at the most energetic and fun filled night that Utah has seen in a while. To Utah, every Band Camino show feels like a hometown show, the energy, the excitement and the singing at the top of your lungs type of energy emanates the room as fans soak in every moment.

If there is one thing I know for certain, it’s that Salt Lake City, Utah loves the Band Camino. Every time they’ve graced the stage in Utah it’s met with nothing but love and excitement in return. As I waited in line before their Never Always Tour stop in Salt Lake, I chatted with another girl in line. We shared stories of the different times we had been to their shows throughout the year and she mentioned that she went and saw them at the Delta Center when they opened for Dan and Shay. She laughed while telling me that she didn’t even like Dan and Shay that much, she just wanted to see The Band Camino.

This tour marks the fifth time I have seen them live over the course of three years. The thing with the Band Camino is they do the best job of any artist, at staying true to their roots and image, while still being able to create a new and engaging set each tour. This tour was no different, with a diverse setlist, it was a great time for the oldest of fans to the newest.

In an interesting twist they kicked off their set with the classic “Daphne Blue”. Traditionally they usually end with this song. Instead they went all out from the start, with blue confetti and everything. They then played a variety of songs, including songs like; “I Think I Like You”, “Know Me”, and then my personal favorite from their latest album “Baggy Jeans”.

Half-way through the set they switched it up for a short 3 song acoustic set. I LOVED this set up. The band, consisting of Jeffery Jordan and Spencer Stewart who both sing and play guitar, and Garrison Burgess who plays the drums, all came out and sat on stools in a semi circle facing the crowd. The lights dimmed and it felt as though we were all participating in an intimate living room concert. You know, the ones that all music fans dream of having with their favorite artists. What I specifically loved about this was that it allowed maybe newer fans, or people listening to them for the first time to really hear their voices in an unobstructed way. Spencer sang “Damage” and a cover of Justin Bieber’s “Daisies” and Jeffery sang “Hates Me Yet (222)”. If this set told me anything, it’s that I think it’s vital that the Band Camino releases an acoustic album or EP someday. 

After the acoustic set they flipped back to full production with Karaoke. The night continued and the energy only continued to grow. By the time we got to “Haunted” , a song from their first EP it felt like the energy would push the roof off the building. It was crazy, after that song Jeffery told the crowd how every tour that song just builds and builds, it gets better and more fun to play each time. He also shared how they don’t have one song that out streams another, all of their songs are pretty equally streamed. In my opinion, it speaks to the consistency of their music and talent as a band.

As it happens with shows, they all, unfortunately, must come to an end. They played their ever popular “See Through” song before leaving the stage. The cheers to get them back on were deafening, in a good way of course. When they finally returned on stage they played a final two songs 12:34 which was released a few days before the concert. This was fun as they initiated good crowd involvement by breaking the crowd up into groups and competing with each other and then they ended with a personal favorite of mine from their first EP “What I Want”. I need to take a moment to talk about how epic this finale was. The lighting was amazing. They went with a white backlight that was super strong, I am not totally sure, but it felt like the lighting got stronger and stronger as the song went on, matching the sound and vibe of the song until the finale when it was the strongest. As I mentioned at the beginning, their choice of song for their finale was different than years past and I don’t think they could have done any better with the change. While Daphne Blue has an iconicness to it, this finale was truly cinematic. 

While there is always a bittersweetness that comes with going to a concert. Sweet because you get to see your favorite artists, bitter because it will likely be a while before you see them again. The Band Camino can be sure that Salt Lake City will always be there to welcome them with a large crowd, massive sing-alongs and loud cheering. Whatever the timeline, Utah is anxiously awaiting their return.