Hootie & The Blowfish brought their Summer Camp with Trucks Tour 2024 to PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ) on Friday August 2nd. Guests included Collective Soul and Edwin McCain. The show Friday night was a fantastic combination of outstanding music, an amazing crowd, and beyond talented artists. The venue was packed with excited fans eager to hear what Hootie had in store for the evening.
Edwin McCain opened the night. McCain is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist from Greenville, South Carolina. He is known for his songs “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask For More”, which were top-40 hits in the U.S.
He would make an appearance later that night on stage with Hootie & The Blowfish while they played his song “Solitude”.
Next on stage was the incredibly iconic band Collective Soul, an American rock band formed in 1992 in Georgia. They played songs that evoked 90's feel-good memories, and the crowd was rocking and vibing to their classics, embodying the spirt of carefree living and good times.
Fan favorites like "Shine" and "December" sparked enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. Each selection inspired lively sing-alongs that added to the energy of the night. A party in its own rite, their set was a fun time. Ed Roland was spectacular with his vocals as well as his entertaining command of the stage.
Collective Soul consists of Ed Roland (lead vocals, additional guitar, keyboards), Dean Roland (rhythm guitar), Will Turpin (bass guitar, backing vocals, auxiliary percussion), Johnny Rabb (drums, percussion, backing vocals), and Jesse Triplett (lead guitar, backing vocals).
The crowd was high energy and ready to party as soon as headliner Hootie & The Blowfish took to the stage. Comprised of members Mark Bryan (lead guitar, backing vocals, piano), Dean Felber (bass guitar, backing vocals, piano), Darius Rucker (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), and Jim Sonefeld (drums, percussion, backing vocals, rhythm guitar), the group has been treating fans to their catchy and all-encompassing genre songs since their college days. With songs ranging from rock to pop to indie type vibes, the group's music has been able to capture the hearts of wide range of fans. Hootie & The Blowfish, formed in 1986, has sold over 25 million records worldwide since their first hit “Hold My Hand”.
Hootie brought the energy and good vibes that everyone loves about them to the stage. The soulful rock beats, paired with Rucker's mesmerizing voice, created an uplifting and joyful experience that resonated deeply with the crowd. The stage had beautiful projections throughout the set, including a spectacular lighthouse, a stunning tree with awe inspiring lights, and later on, a blowfish (of course).
The band started strong with “I Go Blind”. The crowd was roaring, and energy kept up throughout the night. Beloved tracks like “Time” and “Let Her Cry” were performed to the delight of all those fortunate enough to be in attendance.
The group performed their cover of Led Zeppelin's "Hey, Hey, What Can I Do," a song they had also featured on Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin in 1995, a tribute album showcasing various artists honoring the legendary band. Later in the set, the crowd went wild as they delivered a lively rendition of R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion", further amplifying the energy in the venue.
For the last encore, the group surprised everyone with a cover intro from "Get Down On It" by Kool & the Gang. After grooving for a while to the fun 70’s / 80’s beats, they transitioned into their major hit “Only Wanna Be With You”. Fans were on their feet, dancing and cheering, as the evening came to a close. It was the perfect finale for a memorable night of fun.
