With their signature warm glow, Hippo Campus filled O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire with a joyous feel. 

Heading out on a UK headline tour in support of their sophomore album, Bambi, which was released in Autumn 2018, Minnesota-bred outfit Hippo Campus made the gloomy winter day feel more like a summery long night.

Having been at their first ever London show, and the second, and the third…and so on, I can proudly say that this band never ceases to amaze me. Bringing an array of blissful tunes to London’s O2 SBE last Thursday, the show was a testament to Hippo Campus’ impeccable live skills and their ability to wash all your worries away the moment they take to the stage.

Wrapping darker and heavier lyrical themes in a warm sonic glimmer has somewhat become their signature mark. Hippo Campus have never shied away from delivering a social commentary on topics that matter, including everyday struggles and anxieties that accompany us in the modern world. Reflecting on the chaos of current times, they manage to inject a light spark into their songs. No wonder listeners find such joy in their music.

Diving headfirst into Bambi, the mellifluous melodies instantly set the tone for the night. With euphoric beats and Jake Luppen’s velvety vocals leading us through, it was a pretty good start to the journey ahead.

Taking us through their back catalogue as well as their more recent material, Hippo Campus continued to add an airy touch to the records we knew, oh so well. From the synth-ladden shimmering soundscape in Golden, to sparkling guitars and carefree times of way it goes, they effortlessly balanced the performance making the crowd sway in perfect unison.

Bringing their experimental side to the forefront, there’s no doubt that Bambi finds the band at their most ambitious. Saturated with vibrant textures, Doubt is a rhythmic sensation that soars on tempo shifts and a heartfelt chorus, whilst Bubbles is an absolute masterpiece. Cementing their diverse songwriting, this track will hit you when you least expect it, bearing in mind that the feeling only multiplies when played live.

Celebrating the second anniversary of their debut album, landmark, they also served us some fan favourites. With poignant monsoon tearing at your heartstrings, the captivating raw track undoubtedly made the tender moment last for a longer while. Elsewhere in the set, spreading a summer warmth, simple season was a nod towards all things youthful, which felt very needed considering the winter cold outside. If summer had a sound, then this would be it.

Dropping live favourites into the mix in equal measure, baseball and warm glow (2017’s warm glow EP) charmed us once again with Jake’s falsetto notes and crisp fluid guitar lines. And of course, it wouldn’t have been a Hippo Campus show without some of the classics. Whilst South was the one to sweep everyone off their feet with its massive singalong crescendo, Violet only seemed like a cherry on top.

Rounding off the set with buttercup, as they always do, it was incredible to see how much they had evolved. Without ever losing the boyish spark that underpinned their early material, Hippo Campus have not only matured in expanding their sound, but they have also taken their live game to the next level. Confronting the reality that we live in, they share their life experiences and tell stories in their music, hoping people will find comfort in it. As they continue to blow our minds, it’s safe to say that they have indeed succeeded in that.

Photos: Kasia Osowiecka