Macklemore, Lewis thrill Hoquiam throng

Rapper Macklemore and Ryan Lewis had loyal fans lined up for hours waiting to catch their act at the 7th Street Theater in Hoquiam on Monday.

Hundreds of fans gathered in Hoquiam on Monday night to catch rappers Macklemore and Ryan Lewis in concert — a stop on their “Camping Trip” tour. The line stretched from the theater for two blocks along Eighth Street and Simpson Avenue.

Willow Hudson, 16, of Seattle, sat at the head of line. She had arrived at 2 a.m., straight from Macklemore’s concert in Olympia the night before. She started the line at the theater at 7 a.m., even though the music wouldn’t start until 9 p.m.

“I’ve been to their concerts in Spokane, Yakima, Enumclaw and Hoquiam, Hudson said. “I’ll be going to the ones in Bremerton and Bumpershoot, too.”

With such loyal fans, it’s easy to see why the popular rappers play to sell-out crowds. Tickets for Monday’s show sold out in less than two hours, according to 7th St. Theatre Manager Jamie Brand.

Both men have strong ties to Washington state. Macklemore, also known as Ben Haggerty, is a graduate of The Evergreen State College, and Lewis of University of Washington. This year they have taken a break from their worldwide tour to hit several smaller venues in Washington state. Tickets for each show on the tour were only $20.

Macklemore and creative partner Lewis won four Grammy Awards in 2014 for Best New Artist, Best Rap Album — for “The Heist” — Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for “Thrift Shop.” Other hits include “Same Love” and “Can’t Hold Us.”

Macklemore, Lewis thrill Hoquiam throng
Macklemore, Lewis thrill Hoquiam throng