Opening for Caamp at New Haven’s Westville Music Bowl, the Chicago duo Whitney delivered a performance featuring new singles, exceptional collaboration among band members, and a showcase of their distinctive blend of instruments.
Stream: “No Woman” – Whitney
Whitney, hailing from Chicago and led by Max Kakacek and Julien Ehrlich, has been supporting Caamp on their 2025 tour, a pairing that aligns perfectly with the musical style of Caamp. Renowned for their tracks that effortlessly convey the warmth and ease of summer, Whitney’s live show is a must-see for fans. Each member contributes their unique talents, creating a harmonious experience that is a joy to behold live.
Their performance took place at the Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut, an outdoor venue seemingly designed for Whitney’s music. This charming location, situated away from the more urban parts of New Haven, featured Connecticut’s lush greenery gently swaying in the evening summer breeze, providing a beautiful backdrop for the performance.
Whitney stands out due to the rich instrumentation in each song, blending keys, trumpet, electric and acoustic guitar—often all playing together and seamlessly weaving in and out of the melodies. Despite the complexity of the production, Whitney's music never feels cluttered. This clarity, already evident in their studio recordings, was even more captivating when experienced live.
On drums while also serving as the lead vocalist, Julien Ehrlich’s voice retains its smooth and airy quality from the studio. His drumming feels like an extension of his vocals, complemented by the contributions of his fellow band members. Their performance began stunningly with “Valleys (My Love),” a song that perfectly exemplifies their musical style with its lyrics evoking summer imagery and the lightness of romance, reflected in the band's evident joy while performing.
I never wanna fade away
Wanna turn as the seasons change
And every time you come around
Well the days of the year just slow down
My love, my love, my love
– “Valleys (My Love),” Whitney
Tracks like “Polly” and “Friend of Mine” effectively showcased Whitney’s musical skill and sonic expertise. The layered production in the studio versions, featuring rich vocals along with keys intertwining seamlessly with guitar and trumpet, creates an immersive listening experience.
The interplay among Whitney’s band members is almost telekinetic, enhancing the live performance of these beloved tracks and highlighting their collaborative spirit and passion for the music. There were numerous moments when concertgoers could see the gratifying expressions on the band members' faces, elevating the already warm and uplifting nature of the songs.
During their set, Whitney performed two unreleased tracks, “Dandelions” and “Back to the Wind.” While these songs don’t stray far from Whitney’s established sound, they delve even deeper into what makes tracks like “Polly” and “Friend of Mine” resonate. It takes considerable talent to engage an audience as an opener, but the compelling sonic blend of these new songs left concertgoers pleasantly surprised and captivated by the musical precision on display. Although the band has not officially confirmed a new LP, they released a single called “Darling” in late May, and with the introduction of two additional singles during their live performance, fans can eagerly anticipate more music from Whitney soon.
Before concluding their performance and passing the reins to Caamp, Whitney wrapped up with their most popular song, “No Woman.” This track, emblematic of the band's sound, begins softly and gradually builds to a climactic finale where each musician shines. The last minute of the nearly four-minute piece is almost entirely instrumental, showcasing the intricate collaboration that defines Whitney's unique jam-band style. Given the sound of “Dandelions” and “Back to the Wind,” both longtime fans and newcomers may look forward to more of the engaging soundscapes they crave after experiencing this live performance at Westville Music Bowl.
In addition to opening for Caamp, the band announced a Summer ’25 headlining tour across North America, kicking off on July 20th in Lake Tahoe, CA, with stops in Canada, the East Coast, and the Midwest. Visit Caamp’s website for details on when and where to catch Whitney live, and see their headline tour dates below:
07.20 – The Hangar – South Lake Tahoe, CA
07.23 – The Elm – Bozeman, MT
07.24 – The Granary – Salt Lake City, UT
07.25 – Washington’s FoCo – Fort Collins, CO
07.26 – Fiddlers Green Amp – Greenwood Village, CO
07.30 – State Theatre – Portland, ME
07.31 – Higher Ground – Burlington, VT
08.02 – Osheaga Festival – Montreal, QC
08.04 – Tree House Brewing Charlton – Charlton, MA
08.05 – Levitate Backyard –
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Caamp is set to open at New Haven's Westville Music Bowl, with the Chicago duo Whitney performing a show featuring new singles, impressive collaboration among bandmates, and a showcase of their distinct blend of instruments.