Hippo Campus Gallery + Review
Gallery by Amy Tang and Review by Mackenzie Wagner
Shortly following the release of their newest EP, Wasteland, Minnesota natives Hippo Campus embarked on another US tour. In many ways, this tour felt like a way to look back on their past releases, reflect on how far they have come, and celebrate what is to come. On June 3rd, they wrapped up their tour at Central Park’s SummerStage in New York City, which opened up SummerStage for the season.
The band opened with “South”, which is one of their older songs but arguably one of their best songs live. Fans from all different stages were excited to hear this setlist staple to start the night. Other songs such as “Way It Goes”, “Vines” and “Buttercup” got the crowd excited as the night went on. There is no doubt that both the crowd and the band vibe off of each other’s energy, making it an overall great show.
Throughout the night, the band played a lot of fan favorite tracks from throughout the years in addition to some new favorites from Wasteland. The set list was a perfect mix of songs from all stages of the band’s careers. Hippo Campus has always been experimental with their sound, so it should be no surprise that they are experimental with their sound on stage as well. There is something about the way the band performs that makes their live sound so intriguing and well worth seeing them over and over again.
The best thing about a Hippo Campus show is watching them on stage and just knowing they are truly having fun. The way they interact with each other and their audience shows that they really do enjoy being on stage, and it shows in their sound. Streaming their music has given them a dedicated fan base, but their live music continually has fans eager for more.
Since forming a band almost 10 years ago, Hippo Campus has formed quite a following. While their talents certainly brought them much deserved success, the band never fails to show appreciation to their dedicated fans. They did not let the night end without showing genuine appreciation for their fans who continually stream their music and support them at shows. The band also stopped their set mid-song, and even walked off stage to allow for a crowd situation to receive attention from venue staff. Luppen later shared the importance of looking out for each other in the crowd. This is one of the many reasons why fans keep coming back to see the band on every tour that they do.
Leading into the summer, Hippo Campus has a few more shows including a set at Bonnaroo and a show in their home state of Minnesota. While their next project has not been announced yet, there is one thing for certain- Hippo Campus will keep moving forward, continuing to push their boundaries as a band. From their work in the studio to their live performances, it all just keeps getting better. Whether it is your first time seeing them or one of many times, you are guaranteed to see a different and memorable show from Hippo Campus.
