Thirty years ago, it felt like anything was possible in the music world. Actual rock bands were getting signed to major labels left and right, and many released albums that turned them into megastars. With the music industry essentially gutted and the measure of success being more based on social media followers than physical record sales, it’s hard to imagine any act outside of mainstream pop reaching universal popularity. But this is what happened when the band from Columbia, South Carolina band with the odd name of Hootie & the Blowfish was signed to Atlantic and released their debut LP Cracked Rear View. Somewhat antithesis to grunge, the album’s feel-good style of college rock struck a nerve and catapulted the band to the top of the charts to make for one of the most iconic albums of the era. Three decades later, Hootie & the Blowfish are celebrating this milestone with their Summer Camp Tour, and on Friday, July 19th, that tour made its way to Ridgefield, Washington.
Perhaps its a testament to the wave of 90s nostalgia that has swept over today’s society or Cracked Rear View being one of the biggest-selling albums of all time or both, but the nearly sold-out crowd at the 18,000-capacity RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater was a testament to the enduring success of Hootie. Yet, the band seemed to be leaning into the nostalgia, from their opening acts, Edwin McCain (think “I’ll Be”) and Collective Soul, to the music played in between sets (more 90s hits, of course).
Following a short set by McCain, Atlanta alt-rockers Collective Soul hit the stage for their own thirtieth-anniversary celebration. Their guitar-driven rock sounded polished as they charged through hit songs like “Heavy,” “Shine,” and “The World I Know,” played with the help of a twelve-string. Frontman Ed Roland donned a suit that he accurately described as resembling a 70s couch before inviting McCain to join the band on a silly cover of AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds.” Roland’s voice doesn’t carry the gritty force it once did – as could be heard on the grungy glory of “December” – yet he and his bandmates proved they still know how to deliver on showmanship with their tight fifty-minute performance.
Taking the stage in a baseball hat bearing his As One Cru wine brand, Darius Rucker led the Blowfish in an almost gospel-like cover of 54-40’s “I Go Blind” to start the performance. The band’s full harmonies were on display during the power pop tune “Wishing,” while the feel-good rocking of “I Will Wait” was enhanced by an impressive lighthouse effect on the massive screen behind the band. Then it was time for two of the biggest hits from that beloved album Cracked Rear View, “Time” and “Running From an Angel,” both of which carried the kind of infectiousness that is impossible to resist and showcased the band’s arena-worthy sound. They would also pepper in several covers throughout the night, including a spot-on version of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” that felt especially well chosen in today’s divisive political environment.
Though it was refreshing to not have them simply play Cracked Rear View cover to cover – which they easily could have done – it was those songs that shined the brightest throughout the ninety-minute set. Even slightly lesser-known tunes like “Hannah Jane” and “Not Even the Trees” were standout moments as the band gave towering rock treatment to Rucker’s full baritone. They also knew how to space things out and have a little fun, as they did in the bluegrass segment of the show by strapping on acoustic instruments and playing the hymnal “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” only to soon blow the audience’s collective with their hoe down-ready take on Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” truly the “Freebird” of bluegrass music.
For anyone thinking Hootie & the Blowfish is a one-trick pony, their performance proved just how varied the band’s influences and songs can be. They dropped in an energetic rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Hey, Hey What Can I Do,” while a couple of tunes later, Rucker laid down a medley of famous hip-hop verses with an impressive flow, only to follow it up with the poignant Americana-rock of “Let Her Cry.” While some might struggle to see the influence beyond both being college rock bands from the southeast, Rucker prefaced their cover of R.E.M’s “Losing My Religion” by citing them as one of his favorite bands of all time and delivering one of the finest musical moments of the night.
The band closed out in fine fashion with a version of “Hold My Hand” that saw Mark Ryan sprucing it up with extra whammy guitar. By the time they left the stage and quickly returned to close out with a few more tunes, including the pop-rock mega-hit “Only Wanna Be With You,” Hootie & the Blowfish had not only done their debut album justice, but they had also transcended the notion of simply reveling in nostalgia. We likely will never see a college rock band like the Blowfish get signed and go on the sell millions of albums again in our lifetime. Lucky for us, these guys are still in fine form and don’t appear to be slowing down.
