Columbus, OH showed up ready to celebrate The Band CAMINO, packing KEMBA Live! wall to wall for the second-to-last night of the North American leg of the NeverAlways Tour. The energy was already buzzing before the lights dropped, and the second the opening notes of “Daphne Blue” hit, the crowd at the SOLD OUT show was ready to party. What better way to start the night than a blast of confetti raining over the crowd. And what better way to start the night than a blast of confetti raining over the room? It was the kind of opener that set the tone fast: big choruses, no holding back, and a band that plays like they’re allergic to standing still.

The trio, Jeffery Jordan, Spencer Stewart, and Garrison Burgess, have always had a strong live presence, but this tour had an extra layer of polish and punch. A big part of that came from Sean McHugh, who joined them for this run and blended in seamlessly. His presence filled out the sound in a way that made even their most familiar songs feel fresh. Whether the band was leaning into bold guitar-driven pop or letting the vocals shine during slower moments, every transition felt tight and intentional.

Fresh off the release of their July album NeverAlways, the setlist balanced fan favorites with new material. One of the standout moments came when they played “Afterthought,” an unreleased track the crowd was more than ready for. The band joked, “You guys bullied us into releasing it,” and the room roared with excitement getting to hear it live. You’d never guess the song isn’t on streaming yet by the way the crowd sang along to every lyric. That connection between the band and their fans was a thread that ran through the entire night.

Speaking of fans, Columbus absolutely understood the assignment. The crowd was loud, locked in, and constantly handing the band moments to play off. In one of the most charming bits of the show, Spencer grabbed decorated cowboy hats from fans near the barricade and wore them onstage while dancing around and singing. It was a small moment, but it said a lot about how The Band CAMINO approaches their shows: they don’t just perform for a crowd, they perform with them.

Musically, the night had a little bit of everything. “Roses” and “Told You So” were personal standouts, each hitting with the exact punch you want from a live show. The entire venue shouted every word like muscle memory, and you could feel how excited everyone was to hear them played. The acoustic section offered a breather without losing momentum, capped by a cover of Justin Bieber’s “Daisies” that had people swaying and cheering in equal measure. It was a wonderful surprise and pulled off so well that it felt like it could slide into their set permanently.

This stop in Columbus was the second-to-last night of the North American run, and it genuinely stood out as one of the most fun shows I’ve been to this year. The chemistry onstage, the electric crowd, and the sense that the band is stepping confidently into their next chapter all made the night feel special.

The Band CAMINO is not done touring though, they now head over to the UK and Europe next month before taking the tour to Australia and New Zealand in early 2026.

For upcoming tour dates, locations, and ticket info, visit thebandcamino.com 

photos by Antonina Schubert