CAAMP brought its indie folk-rock sound to Vancouver’s Freedom Mobile Arch on August 12, proving that a band built on stripped-back songwriting can still make a large outdoor stage feel personal.

Formed in Ohio in 2013 by Taylor Meier and Evan Westfall, CAAMP has grown considerably from its early days playing smaller rooms. That growth can be tricky for a band whose songs depend on warmth and vulnerability, but the Vancouver show never felt disconnected from those roots.

Meier’s raspy vocals were front and centre from the opening moments, giving the songs a lived-in quality that suited the setting. The band moved comfortably between its folkier material and more upbeat rock moments, with “Peach Fuzz” standing out as one of the evening’s biggest crowd responses. The song, from 2019’s By and By, remains one of CAAMP’s defining tracks.

The group’s chemistry was just as important as the songs themselves. Rather than leaning on a huge production, CAAMP kept the focus on the musicians. Warm lighting and a relatively simple stage setup gave the performance room to breathe, fitting the band’s earthy sound far better than a wall of video screens ever could. The set showed CAAMP’s willingness to step outside its own catalog, too, with covers woven naturally into the night

CAAMP’s latest chapter comes after the release of Copper Changes Color in 2025, followed by a busy touring schedule that has included dates with Zach Bryan and Mumford & Sons. The band is giving back along the way, donating $1 from each ticket sold to its Great Heights Movement, which supports charitable programs in the Columbus, Ohio area and beyond.

By the end of the night, CAAMP had done what it does best: make a big outdoor show feel surprisingly close-up. No excessive production was needed, the songs and the band carried the night.

Upcoming Tour Dates:
August 15 – Calgary, AB – Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
August 17 – Bonner, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheatre
August 18 – Bonner, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater
August 21 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
August 22 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
August 24 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
August 26 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
August 29 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
September 24 – Rochester Hills, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
September 25 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
September 29 – Chattanooga, TN – Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
October 4 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Broward Center for the Performing Arts
More information here.

Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

CAAMP

All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer

After nearly a decade away, Alabama Shakes returned to Vancouver on June 26 for a night that was both a reunion and a revival. Performing at the new Freedom Mobile Arch, the Alabama band wasted little time reminding the crowd why their blend of blues, rock, soul, and gospel made such an impact in the first place.

The band opened shortly after 8p.m. with immediate force, locking into the familiar rhythms that have defined their sound since their 2012 debut, Boys & Girls. As the daylight decreased, “Another Life” brought a warm shift to the rainy evening, with the crowd swaying together before “Hang Loose” kept the mood loose and upbeat.

At the centre of it all was Brittany Howard, whose voice remains as commanding as ever. Her ability to move from a delicate falsetto on “Future People” to a full-throated roar gave the songs a fresh edge without losing what made them special. “I Found You” brought out the band’s gospel and blues roots, while “Hold On” turned the venue into one massive singalong.

The set’s emotional high point came with “Gimme All Your Love,” as Howard and the band leaned into every groove. “Don’t Wanna Fight” followed with equal parts tension and release before the band left the stage.

Alabama Shakes‘ return showed that, after all these years, this band can still make a crowd rise.

Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

ALABAMA SHAKES

All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer