Small Rooms, Big Feelings: The Band CAMINO’s “Tour Before the Tour” in Atlanta
Written by Maggie Schneider and Sophie Harris
Photos by Sophie Harris
It is a dream to see your favorite band in a small rock club. There’s something about the sticky floors and the smell of sweat that makes a concert feel special. It’s like a secret that only you, your best friend, and 200 other people know about. And when the band begins their set, the sounds and swaying of the crowd make you feel like you’re a part of something bigger than yourself.
This is precisely how The Band CAMINO’s set in Atlanta felt. Taking place at The Masquerade, a legendary punk venue in the city, the alt-rock outfit graced the stage on their “Tour Before The Tour,” allowing superfans to see them in some of the smallest venues across the country. We didn’t know what to expect. Would they focus on tracks from their latest album, NeverAlways? Or would they dive deeper into their catalog of sad girl hours bangers? We were pleasantly surprised to find them paying homage to each era of their journey.
The Band CAMINO opened with “What I Want,” as fans cathartically screamed every lyric. You could tell that the trio was thrilled to be in a room so small, locking eyes with people in the crowd and flashing genuine smiles at one another between verses. From “1 Last Cigarette” to “Haunted,” the band explored every human emotion in an hour and a half. Stopping between songs, guitarist/vocalist Jeffery Jordan told the crowd that he woke up sick and needed everyone to sing along. You never would’ve been able to tell, as his vocal delivery was pitch-perfect from start to finish. Spencer Stewart brought out the acoustic guitar to play “Damage,” a song that we’ve sung at the top of our lungs through every bad day and heartbreak. All in all, we left the show feeling more inspired than ever. It reminded us of exactly why we love live music in the first place: to feel things and connect with others.
For us, this show carried more weight. It was our third time seeing The Band CAMINO together. In a way, their music has become the soundtrack to our six-year friendship, from sleepovers to tours, and throughout every girls trip we’ve ever taken. There’s something about scream-singing every emotional banger together that feels like freedom—freedom to express our emotions along with the band. Seeing them live again, side by side, in the midst of a crazy year, felt like adding another chapter to a story we’ve been writing for years.
No matter the size of the room, The Band CAMINO gives fans a safe space to be vulnerable together. We need these moments now more than ever. And now, writing about this show together feels almost as meaningful as seeing it.
