HIPPO CAMPUS // GLASGOW GARAGE, GLASGOW
Hippo Campus return to Glasgow for an upbeat setlist at The Garage as part of their Bambi Tour
HIPPO CAMPUS
★★★★☆
Indie rock upcoming rockers Hippo Campus released their second studio album ‘Bambi’ in September last year and are currently on their six-month tour around the world. The five—piece took to the stage on Friday night to perform eight-teen songs, two tracks which were exclusives for Hippo Campus fans as the tracks haven’t be released. Hippo Campus set seen a jammed pack intimate venue of fans enjoying every song which was being place, the vocally impressive show which was seen from five-piece will live on to be memory for fans and performance that band will remember as well.
As the lights dimmed down, the band everyone was here to see was about to appear on stage. Hippo Campus arrived onstage to massive cheer and energy from the Glaswegian crowd, Hippo Campus quickly transformed the venue into huge vibes of their indie rock which the Glasgwegians loved.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Jake Luppen and co. kicked off their set playing their most eponymous track off their latest album. Aided by shifting purple, blue and orange lighting - a very staple throughout their set - the band’s performance on stage was very wide-ranging vocals which revived the crowd throughout.
Firing through their set band played well-known track of theirs such as ‘Baseball’ a 2017 road-trip anthem with a very upbeat rhythm. As well as a older song with more indie influences, with lyrics that feel reminiscent of a small-town midwest: ‘Where’d all our friends go/ We can dip if you’re ready.’
Continuing to belter through their high-welcome set was more of the band’s older stuff including ‘Warm Glow’, which came a littler later during their set. Featuring Luppen’s signature falsetto and a very slow, heavy drum beat, the song was one of the standout moments of the show. This was seen by reaction of the Glasgwegian crowd.
As lead guitarist and vocalist Nathan Stocker sang the repeating verse of the song’s ending, Luppen layered himself over him with piercing falsetto vocals that proved the band could sing live without a backtrack which shows massive talent that Hippo Campus have as a band.
‘Monsoon’ was next on the set list, which is a very slow jam that elicited lit-up phones were seen around the venue. The two calm songs gave a serious tone during their eight-teen song set, but Luppen quickly rebuilt up a upbeat mood again with announcement between the two tracks.
“Lebron James is in the house tonight. His favorite song is ‘South,’” he said. “This one goes out to Lebron James.”
“South” captured the band’s more indie roots through growling vocals and distinct lines such as, “I walk the same way my father told me/ Back straight, chest out, just like a soldier.” They then moved into “Simple Season,” another chill beach song that also makes audiences bounce along, or in the case of one teenage boy, bang his head like he was at a rock concert.
As the lights on stage began to fade out until just the band’s drummer, Whistler Allen, was illuminated in just pink lighting. He then began to perform an emotionally powerful love song which has been unofficially tilted ‘Chapstick’ which was exclusive song being played for the Glaswegian crowd on this current tour of their recently released album ‘Bambi’. Drummer Whistler Allen normally sings the back vocals during songs, but took the most lead of the new track, which helped showcase the band’s overall vocal talent.
The band went onto perform another unreleased track officially untitled as ‘No Pomegranates’. Another track was proving show the great talent that Hippo Campus have as band.
The rock aspect of Hippo Campus has been seen throughout the set and proving their vocals are some the best, Hippo Campus are set to follow footsteps of some of best rock bands out there in the world right now.
Hippo Campus ended their set with some their well known tracks such as ‘Bubbles’, ‘Suicide Saturday’ and ‘Violet’ which ended their set and see massive reaction from the crowd who wanted more songs from the band who departed with great cheer from the Glaswegian crowd.
The band returned to treat the Glaswegian crowd with two more songs their current cover ‘Love Is Easy ‘ by Rex Orange Country which was recorded as special release to celebrate Valentines Day and was premiered on Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show this week as the band current began their UK Tour of their Bambi Tour.
The final song was ‘Buttercup’ which was the most perfect song to end their set on, with it’s catchy rhythm beats and chorus leaving the Glaswegian crowd earworm to hum on the way home. The night was proven a huge success.
SETLIST: | HIPPO CAMPUS : GLASGOW GARAGE - 15.02.2019
Bambi
Golden
Way It Goes
Baseball
Doubt
Hoenstly
Warm Glow
South
Simple Season
Chapstick
No Pomegranates
Why Even Try
Think It Over
Bubbles
Suicide Saturday
Violet
ENCORE:
Loving Is Easy - (Rex Orange Country cover)
Buttercup