On Aug. 18, 2025, WriCampia’s talented songwriters performed their original songs at Wrichella in the soccer field, while the audience enjoyed their cookout dinner.
The atmosphere before it started was a mix of stressful and exciting. Wilson R., 13, described it as “the calm before the storm.”
Kicking off the show with a comedic bang, Wilson played “Baby Teen” on the electric guitar, a song about a baby who is also a teen. The Blah Blah Blahs, including Daniela A., Wilson R, and Alex P. sang a camp original about the campers whose luggage went missing for the first 24 hours of WriCampia.
Next, Hazel S., Aaron “Yankovic,” and Daniela A were on stage to perform a Weird Al inspired song, where Hazel tap-danced, Aaron played accordion, and Daniela was on electric guitar. Daniela was then swapped for Alex P.
A soothing energy spread over the stage as Wricampia’s solo performers started to play. Hazel S first played acoustic guitar as they sang two ethereal originals, “Nautiloid” and “LOL.” Daniela A. followed with the powerful song, “I MISS YOUR STUPID FACE.” Lili S. took the spotlight on guitar and vocals with her beautiful and relatable song, “Prospect.” Finally, Mai M.-P. changed it up and played the keyboards masterfully. Her song “Falling in Love” hit hard for many.
Lili and Mai joined together in a band called “Queer Cowboy.” The audience had a good laugh after the duo’s name was announced. Lili took the mic: “You ever thought how love doesn’t love you back?” There was a collective sigh and cheer.
Julian W. rode the energy as he took the stage to perform his first original song, “Bad Back Blues”–the story about how he got injured doing tricks on a trampoline. He went to the doctor and was told that it was just bad posture. It got some good laughs, and he wowed us with his sick guitar riffs. Next up was the band Kars Have Ears (yes Kars with a K) with Hollyn A, Julia V, Allison M-V, and Marleigh S. They played “In the AM” and more. As the crowd quickly picked up the catchy lyrics and sang along, some of us wondered: Could these four be the next Swedish Fish—the camp band that rocked the stage in 2022.
Alex, Aaron, Hazel S., and Cate dedicated a song to Middle Camper Jackson P.-W. titled “Hear.” When Jackson was asked about his opinions on this dedication, he said, “to be able to have a song dedicated to me, despite not even being in Songwriting, is truly a testament to WriCampia’s interconnectedness.”
Anxious Thoughts walked on stage (Hollyn A, Daniela, Hazel N., Vivi, and Julian) saying that “[they]’re going to get stuck in [our] heads.” Their song “Maybe it’s Me” had campers jumping up and down and was the closest song to rock & roll of the night. Needless to say, they did get stuck in our heads.
Petty & The Pink Streaks was next, featuring Kyra B, Holden N, Arlo C-N, and Vivi S, invigorating the audience with their raw punk rock sound. By the second song, campers and staff alike formed a circle that quickly morphed into Wricampia’s first ever mosh pit.
Quinn followed, mesmerizing the audience as they played on the keys and vocals, singing about “sick of being sick.” Then Hazel S. and Hazel N. joined Quinn and the three played together, before Hazel S. was replaced by Wilbur. The third and most intense song ended with “get you alone.”
Wilson came back on stage unexpectedly with what he called “the nerdiest love song ever,” titled “Campaign Blues,” about how he had a really nerdy crush.
The Two Little Pigs, Cate S. and Violet C., AKA 2LP, were hyped by the crowd and emcees Sam and Ruby, original members of the Swedish Fish, before playing “The Girl” and “Bury Me Next To You.” The audience chanted for an encore, and got what they wanted. “I need everyone to get on their feet and sing and dance with us!” Violet said as “Smoke and Mirrors” was starting. The crowd was pleased. (Remember, you saw them first at Wrichella!!!)
The penultimate act of the night was Leila S. —stage name “Sleila”– in her last Wrichella, with counselors Sam, Isaac, Malcolm, and Mahdia. “When I say ‘slay,’ you say ‘la’!” they shouted. Malcolm, with tears in eyes, delivered a short emotional speech afterward about how he has worked with Leila for eight years at Wricampia, and how she has grown and gained incredible confidence on stage.
Wilbur (or Willowbee as they’re known on Spotify) closed off the show. “There’s no time for these emotional shenanigans, we gotta move,” they said after the first song with tears in her eyes. After the second song, they beckoned Leila to the stage for one more performance—a song about the seasons.
The audience cried for all of the senior songwriters who are leaving camp this year, and seniors. Another emotional WriChella with no appearance of the Swedish Fish. ✎
