The Band Camino w/ Flor and Hastings
Showbox SoDo, Seattle, WA
04.01.22

After a couple of years cooped up in the house, not a concert in site, finding yourself at a show full of good energy and great music is more than a treat. The same could likely be said for The Band Camino, who had their own stops and starts over the last few years, but according to their Seattle performance, dusted themselves off pretty damn well. So well, in fact, that Showbox SoDo was sold all the way out, in support of their 2021 self-titled debut.

Opening the show was Hastings, the stage name of Matt Hastings, who I’d love to tell you more about but there’s not much out there other than the music itself. Hastings took a second to get into a groove but once they did, the crowd was on board — and seemed to know the music too — and the energy in the room and on stage started to rise. As far as the music, it’s radio-ready alt pop that will catch in your ear and definitely worth a spin.

Next up for the night was the semi-local (Hood River, Oregon) band, Flor (one O), who’ve been around for a few years now. Their brand of alt-pop is on the dreamy side of things but lead singer/guitarist/keyboardist Zach Grace doesn’t let you forget there’s a show going on. Halfway through the set he noted that he felt a little bit like he was having the most fun in the room (which might have been true?), showed off his first tattoo which he’d gotten backstage that day, and then kept dancing and strumming his way through the set. Flor’s music is super listenable, summer picnic vibey, very festival friendly, and the crowd seemed into it.

The crowd went full out, however, once headliner The Band Camino took to the stage, with all the ladies in the front row full on screaming and singing along. The Nashville trio seemed to have a well-honed presence on stage, with a massive light show and plenty of crowd interaction. Not too surprising given their recent tour supporting Dan + Shay across the country. Full of synthy riffs and plenty of distortion, their alt-pop-rock sound turns real feelings into something super catchy.

Catchy enough that the crowd was literally shouting all the lyrics right back to them, arms in the air the whole time. Both Jeffery Jordan (vocals/keys/guitar) and Spencer Stewart (vocals/guitar) played to the crowd, using a platform to swing off and stand on, looming above the stage. Their sound is a great balance of sweet and screaming your heart out, and a lengthy setlist gave the fans what they wanted (on top of an epic merch line and selfie booth, of course). I wouldn’t be surprised to see The Band Camino rolling through bigger venues and festival lineups soon!

Review and photos by Stephanie Dore

The Band Camino

Flor

Hastings