Ohio-born and raised folk rock band CAAMP traveled over 600 miles to play to a sold-out crowd at Red Hat Amphitheater Saturday night. Accompanied by bands Ona, Fruition, and even a surprise guest, this show was unforgettable in more ways than one.
CAAMP members Taylor Meier & Evan Westfall first met at a summer camp in middle school (perfect start, right?) and began creating music together seriously as they attended Ohio University. Eventually, this childhood duo evolved into the five-piece Midwestern band we know today.
Hailing all the way from West Virginia, Ona is an indie-rock Americana-infused band that began in 2013. Since then, Ona has gone on to release two studio albums and toured with artists like Tyler Childers (and of course CAAMP.)
The moment they took the stage, they brought along all the hometown feels. The setlist had the perfect amount of twang to keep the crowd wanting more and a combination of their slower songs. Their performance came across as not only polished but also authentic in the same light. They have definitely caught my eyes (and ears), and I'm hoping to see more from them in the future.
Ona by @ashleyymck
Fruition was like a band I have never seen before. Slow songs filled with folk and almost bluegrass elements paid homage to their hometowns in the Pacific Northwest. The pure aesthetics of their music seemed perfect for a rainy-day hike on the coast of Oregon.
Fruition by @ashleyymck
After some research, I found that Fruition began their story as a band through busking. From singing on the streets of Portland to playing amphitheaters as large as Red Rocks, the ability to harmonize and intimacy of their performance has carried.
The moment the stage was transitioned for CAAMP, I immediately knew this was going to be a memorable show. A bobcat, a wooden bench, antique spotlights covering the stage, a patterned rug, and a rack full of trinkets encapsulated the warm and homey feeling of CAAMP's music as a whole.
With stage decorations perfect for a log cabin and campfire stories, CAAMP took the stage and showed out their very own Midwestern flair to folk music.
This sold-out show had pulled audiences from all over the state. After shooting, I reverted to the crowd to watch the rest of the set, and I was amazed by the scale of people. Overflowing from the lawn, seats, and everything in between was completely filled. Families danced with their young children, and couples of all ages experienced the slow and soulful music that makes up CAAMP's discography.
Red Hat has quickly become one of my favorite venues in North Carolina. You can never go wrong with an amphitheater in itself, but with the gorgeous backdrop of the city, the breeze in your hair, and the music in your ears, it becomes all that much better.
Performing a perfect mix of popular and deep-cut songs from their own albums, CAAMP also performed a cover of "Walking on a Dream" by Empire of the Sun, which immediately lit the crowd into a frenzy. They also brought out a special guest for the night. A member of Durham's own band, Hiss Golden Messenger, played guitar during the song "Fever." Closing the night out, they welcomed one of their opening bands, Fruition, onto the stage to perform together.
Nothing feels warmer than the lights at a CAAMP concert, surrounded by so much love, joy, and happiness for what this small band from Ohio has become. If there's one thing you need to do in this lifetime, it is to experience exactly this.
CAAMP by @ashleyymck
See CAAMP live here.
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