Photos and review by Rebecca Clark
Sometimes the most memorable concerts aren’t the ones that go exactly as planned.
On July 31, Caamp’s stop at CMAC in Canandaigua faced every obstacle Mother Nature could throw at it. Heavy rain, nearby lightning, and an extended weather delay temporarily brought the evening to a halt, sending much of the lawn crowd back to their cars to wait out the storm. But thanks to the tireless work of the CMAC staff, the band’s crew, and everyone’s patience, the night was saved—and it ended up being one of those shows fans won’t soon forget.
The evening began with Hannah Cohen, whose ethereal, melancholic indie-pop sound immediately created an intimate atmosphere. Backed by a talented band that fit her songs perfectly, Cohen’s warm, almost jazzy vocals carried a distinctly ’70s-inspired feel, right down to her outfit. She even treated the audience to a new song early in her set before dark clouds rolled in overhead. As the rain intensified and lightning moved into the area, CMAC made the call to pause the show for everyone’s safety.
While weather delays can be frustrating, both CMAC and Caamp’s crew deserve a tremendous amount of credit for the way they handled the situation. They closely monitored the storm, kept fans informed, and worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the concert could continue instead of being canceled. It was clear throughout the night just how committed everyone was to making the show happen.
After nearly an hour, Mon Rovia finally took the stage, and fans who waited it out were rewarded.
Despite only performing five songs, Mon Rovia made every minute count. His unique blend of folk, Americana, and country influences stood out immediately, but it was his heartfelt introduction to “Bloodline” that left the biggest impression. Sharing that he was adopted from Liberia and separated from his family and culture, he spoke openly about identity, resilience, and hope before delivering an emotional performance of the title track.
His band sounded fantastic throughout the abbreviated set, creating an intimate feel despite the size of the amphitheater. Although many fans worried the delay would mean the opening acts would be cut entirely, it was obvious that Caamp wanted both artists to have their moment.
That appreciation became even more apparent later in the evening when Caamp frontman Taylor Meier praised Mon Rovia from the stage during their set.
“His voice is so fucking refreshing,” Meier said of the singer’s voice. “There are so many artists just copying people. In this crazy, saturated world, his voice just cuts through.”
It was one of the night’s most genuine moments.
After the long wait, Caamp finally took the stage, fittingly walking out to “Here Comes the Rain” before launching into “No Sleep.” It was a perfect way to acknowledge the weather that had nearly derailed the evening.
From there, the Ohio band delivered exactly what fans had been waiting for.
Favorites including “Peach Fuzz,” “The Otter,” “Millions,” “Vagabond,” “So Long Honey,” “Ohio’s Ugly,” “Mistakes,” “There She Goes,” “26,” “Used to This,” “Down the River,” “So Cool,” and “I Keep Goin” filled the setlist. “26” was an undeniable highlight, with Meier delivering the song with incredible passion that resonated throughout the venue.
One of the biggest surprises came when the band dusted off “Recommending,” a song they haven’t performed live in quite some time. Meier admitted it’s one he loves because “it sounds like medicine,” giving the performance even more meaning.
Musically, Caamp continues to prove why seeing them live is a completely different experience than simply listening at home.
The band’s stage had a minimalistic setup to let the songs remain the focus. Beautiful floral arrangements lined the stage while warm lighting transformed the amphitheater into something that felt surprisingly intimate, as if friends had gathered around a campfire in someone’s backyard rather than at a large outdoor venue. It perfectly matched the heart and warmth found throughout Caamp’s music.
Evan Westfall was especially impressive, effortlessly moving between guitar and banjo. His musicianship added another layer to the band’s already rich sound, while the group’s willingness to swap instruments, including Meier spending time behind the drums alongside drummer Nicholas Falk, kept the performance fresh and showcased just how versatile the band really is.
Another memorable collaboration came when Mon Rovia returned to join Caamp for “By and By,” blending seamlessly with the band and creating one of the evening’s standout performances.
The surprises continued with covers of Empire of the Sun’s “Walking on a Dream” and John Prine’s “Going to the Country,” both featuring Meier on drums.
Watching Caamp headline CMAC also felt like witnessing an important milestone. Just four years ago, they stood on that same stage opening for The Lumineers. Seeing them return as headliners is a testament to how much their audience has grown, and judging by the crowd that stayed through pouring rain and lightning delays, that growth is well deserved.
Before the encore wrapped up, Meier paused to thank the CMAC staff, the crew, and especially the fans for sticking it out through the weather. He encouraged the audience to give themselves a round of applause, a simple but heartfelt moment that perfectly captured the spirit of the night.
Hannah Cohen returned to help the band perform Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” before Caamp closed with the powerful singalong “All the Debts I Owe.” As thousands of voices echoed through CMAC one final time, the band handed out their stage flowers and Caamp flags to fans gathered at the barricade—a small gesture that perfectly capped off a night built on gratitude.
Storms may have delayed the evening, but they never dampened it. If anything, they made the experience even more memorable. Sometimes the best concerts aren’t remembered because everything went right, they’re remembered because everyone came together to make sure the music never stopped.
Caamp Photo Gallery
Mon Rovia Photo Gallery
Hannah Cohen Photo Gallery
