Since 2008 the band has toured nationally, opening for acts like Vampire Weekend, Lupe Fiasco, Justice, Jet, Kid Cudi, Sebastian Tellier, Raekwon, The Bloody Beetroots and Passion Pit. The diversity of these acts, and their fans, is a testament to the wide appeal of Hey Champ's music.

In 2009, the band played on main stages at major festivals including All Points West and Lollapalooza, where SPIN lauded them with praise, referring to them as both "Best Early Afternoon Dance Party" and "Best Discovery."

Hey Champ's roots can be traced outside of Chicago in nearby Rockford, where band members Saam Hagshenas (Vocals, Guitar) and Jonathan Marks (Drums) discovered their love of music at a young age. After Saam's graduation from law school, Jon's fellow Princeton music major Pete Dougherty (Synths) moved to Chicago, cementing the lineup of the group. Together they strive to take electro-pop to a higher level, combining their pop-savvy with an eclectic series of influences, ranging from classical music and jazz to the power-pop of Rockford's hometown heroes Cheap Trick and the synth-heavy productions of Giorgio Moroder and Trevor Horn. Their sound is infectious, energetic, and nostalgic for an imagined future.