Highly Suspect – the band that will rule the music scene in 2016

Our black heart, Camden, London – 8th Feb 2016
Support: Reigning Days

pic: Facebook

If you haven’t heard about Highly Suspect from Brooklyn before, you are not the only one. The three guys originally from Cape Cod, moved to the Big Apple back in 2011, with one thing in mind to change their life for better or for worse. Their debut album with the catchy name “Mister Asylum” was released in 2015 and blew a lot of minds in a short period of time. The bold sound and direct, emotionally loaded lyrics brought the band not only one, but two Grammy nominations. In my modest opinion, a huge and impressive achievement for the trio, who just released their first record. But was it a deserved recognition or they are one of those short lived fame bands? You have to listen to their album to decide for yourself. Watch their Grammy nominated for best rock single video “Lydia”

For me, seeing them play a week ago in a tiny intimate venue in Camden, London, was probably one of the best gigs I’ve been to, in a long, long time and it was definitely a memorable one. The first impression of the venue: it’s one of those iconic pubs around London. With a stage on the second floor that has seen many of those epic performances, bands paved their way in to fame here playing in front of 20 people, when all they cared about was to play. After an hour the place started filling up slowly and the crowd was getting ready to welcome the support band, Reigning Days. When you’ve been to many gigs over the years, you get used go through the support band performance like it’s something that needs to be endured rather than enjoyed, because of how incompatible their sound is to the headliner’s. Well, Reigning Days are one of those exceptions, which leave you with the strange doubt of wanting them to play longer confronting the bittersweet anticipation of the band you came to see. Reigning Days, from Derby, owned stage from the beginning to the end giving the crowd pure rock tunes, a perfect prelude to what was upcoming. Check out their latest single ‘Renegade’, it’s definitely worth your time.

After a short break, the sold out venue was full with people, from wild teens to the old school rockers all eager for Highly Suspect to enter the stage. The hip hop tune introducing them got some of us doubting whether we are the right place, but it was clear they knew how to make an entrance like a boss. And then it all began, the first song “Bad Salts” made the waiting worth it. The powerful guitar riffs, the energy of the intro, and the hypnotic voice of Johnny Stevens gave the few already sworn fans the reason to sing along. The intimate personal story behind this track and the honest lyrics, makes you feel compelled to sing along “All I wanna do is fuckin’ sleep”. It’s impossible to ignore “All I saw was the devil’s soul // And it looked a hell of a lot like my own…” part of the song, which is just another proof that their song writing game is quite strong.

picture: Facebook


Through the third track, “Bloodfeathers”, one of my personal favorites on the album, the crowd is ready to rock, the tension is in the air and it feels even hard to breathe. But despite of all the discomfort, this is one of the best feeling you get a gig, all the sweat, the hot air, the smell of beer pouring around, the feeling you can’t and all the music rushing through your ears straight to your brain, makes you feel the sweet delirium of having the time of your life. And Highly Suspect know how to make you feel exactly this way. The set list, short for the fact that they haven’t been around for a long, would still satisfy every fan.

All amazing tracks from “Mister Asylum” were there, the iconic highly personal song called “Mom” sounded even more overwhelming live. The single that really brought them out there “Lydia” got almost everybody in the tiny venue moving and singing out loud the lyrics. My personal highlights of the evening were the unreleased gems such as Rich Meyer really touching ballad, I wish I could find a record of those, truly amazing.

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For an hour and half, they playing more than 10 songs, they had everybody lucky enough to get hold of a ticket captivated to the sound. By leaving the stage shortly after “Lydia” it felt almost impossible not to bring them back for more. And they did by giving us “Claudeland”, an energy bursting track, which according to Johnny is what being in a band is about. And what a feeling that is! With the last song getting everybody bouncing on their feet, it felt like a right ending to an amazing night.

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On my way down to the pub I’ve looked around and saw so many smiling tired faces and sweaty foreheads, the best possible way to finish a long Monday and to kick off a week.

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While I was walking home, completely exhausted with a lingering smile on my face and reflecting on the experience it was a moment when I felt pleased with my life for having such great opportunities to see new bands live. I couldn’t stop thinking about how much Highly Suspect reminded me of Royal Blood, the duo who changed the British rock scene over a night. There is so much they have in common, but its hard to say what exactly, except that the both bands are destined to be great. The energy, the genuine sound, the boldness in the lyrics and guitars, how natural it was for them to own the stage, all those things will make Highly Suspect big one day, sooner rather than later. And I personally can’t wait to see them play on the big stage, arenas, festivals, paving their way into the hearts of the audiences around the world. Good luck, Highly Suspect & thank you for the memories!

Go and check them out!

pic: Facebook

text + pics (unless otherwise stated): Peyt Stefanova