Band CAMINO at Fillmore (Nov 1, 2025)

It was another sold-out show at the Fillmore Minneapolis, and the crowd was there early, some dressed in costumes, but most wearing the appropriate fall wardrobe on a cold, damp night.

First up on the triple-billing was In Color, a band out of Nashville, who formed only a year ago, and already they are on a national tour. They are a band of four, consisting of Holden Clontz, Matthew Hastings, Val Hoyt and Miles Laderman. They are supporting their debut EP, Snow Day, which is a nod to how they became a band, being housebound during a snowstorm with time on their hands. They played a quick set from songs from their new EP and finished with “Headlights” which is a very catchy tune and probably got them on everyone’s radar.

Next up after a quick transfer was almost monday, a band from San Diego with a vibe of a band from San Diego, California. The best quote I found to describe them is “… vibrant, uplifting and impossible not to dance to.”

almost monday was formed in a surf shop by like-minded surfers, they being Dawson Daugherty on vocals, Cole Clisby on guitar and Luke Fabry on bass. They have been together since 2015 but didn’t release any music until their debut EP Don’t Say You’re Ordinary in 2020, because they were having fun just playing covers for friends and local gigs.

In 2024 they released their first LP, Dive, with a hit song “can’t slow down.”

If you are looking to go see a band who will put you in a good mood, I recommend this band. Their lead singer, Dawson, reminded me of the carefree jocularity of Arcy Drive’s lead singer Nick Mateyunas. He had the slithery movements of Jim Morrison and the bounce of Iggy Pop. After their first song “is it too late?” Dawson tried to do a yoga pose and almost fell into the pit.

“I love him,” is what I heard from someone in the crowd.

almost monday was going to have a fun time and quickly won the crowd over, inviting fan participation for songs like “cough drops” and “tidal wave.” Dawson even thanked the other bands on tour in the middle of “lost.” And after he asked for a World Series update from the crowd, he launched the band into the punky “she likes sports.”

Besides their hit song they also played “jupiter” a disco-tinged song to make anyone want to dance.

Up next to finish the evening was the headliner, The Band CAMINO, a band that formed among college friends at the University of Memphis.

Fun fact: The word “camino” means “path” in Spanish and “fireplace” in Italian, which is an interesting dynamic, considering one could stoke a fire in the back of an El Camino while driving down el camino.

Actually, it’s the car that inspired the band’s name. At least that’s what they told Atwood Magazine. They were also asked to describe their band, and Spencer Stewart took a stab and said, “We’re just some every day, regular, normal guys that like to play rock-pop music. That’s pretty much the worst description I’ve ever given.”

Spencer was joined on stage by his right-hand man, Jeffery Jordon. Both of them played electric guitars and keys, sharing lead vocals or singing in tandem while Garrison Burgess on drums joined them on stage with a touring member on bass.

One thing was apparent when they played their first few songs. Everyone in the theater knew their lyrics, and everyone was singing along, all of their songs. And it wasn’t just the front row of super fans. When I made my way to the back, there were people still singing, one guy on crutches snuck in a harmonica and was playing along.

After their hits, they told the crowd that they were going to play from their new album, NeverAlways, with songs like “What You Can’t Have” and “Baggy Jeans.” They also did a trio of acoustic songs. “Hates Me Yet (222)” got a rare boo from the crowd, mainly because of lyrics involving “She loves Iowa football…” Then they did a Justin Bieber cover “DAISIES” before moving back to the songs where everyone sang like “Told You So” and “1 Last Cigarette” followed by well-time “Haunted.”