American trio performs at Camden’s KOKO in London.

The sense of great significance is firmly hanging in the air. Tonight is about something more than just coming down to see a band you like. It is about family and friends. It is about unity. And that’s what Highly Suspect‘s ideology stands for.

Comprised of talents of twin siblings Ryan (drums, vocals) and Rich (bass, vocals) Meyer and their friend Johnny Stevens (vocals, guitar), Highly Suspect have created a very special bond between themselves, their crew and their fans because M.C.I.D. (my crew is dope, and there’s even merch for that). All these elements work and shows specifically at their live shows.

The Brooklyn-based trio opens with the steady low-beat of Send Me An Angel setting the mood in an instant. The atmospheric riffs pierce through the crowd who confidently gears up for the massive singalongs and insane mosh pits during the next offerings Bath Salts and Lost, taken from the band’s debut album Mister Asylum.

“Is that a mosh pit for me? Get ready” we hear from Johnny as the fans do what they gotta do. No one needs any more encouragements of course. “Bloody hell, cheers guys”.

Highly Suspect formed a few years ago, they’ve released two studio albums so far (the latter The Boy Who Died Wolf released in Nov last year), they’ve received three Grammy nominations. Not too bad, I admit. The soundscape they create possesses a bluesy spirit with a tough rock & roll heart. Their music is candid and straightforward, it can heal as well as it might sting sometimes, but most of all as an unrestrained force it requires more and more attention. Their fast growing following base is the best example to prove it.

Tonight’s set varies as the band intertwines their entire music catalogue. The impressive almost 20 track-long setlist is going through a few variations, including another band crushing the party. But first, Vanity and Viper Strike go down well accompanied by singer’s comment: “That was pretty special. You made me feel good on this stage”. What’s more, to keep the set engaging we are served with the atmospheric guitars of Round & Round and Winston that slow us down a bit, showcasing Rich on vocal duty. Johnny has nothing else to say but “I quit, just decided that” before he disappears from the stage.

There is something savage about the trio’s sound and it takes only a few seconds to realise that clearly they’re not your average rock band. The gritting guitar solo in the honest Mom captures, Fuck Me Up punches with its ardent chords while we slowly sink into the emotive melodies of Serotonia. There’s also the cathartic effect of the track Lydia, and just as requested: “You guys are gonna help us out on this part”, the crowd gracefully joins in.

Highly Suspect radiate pure and effortless confidence adding an alluring factor to their entire stage persona. They will also make you feel like being a part of bigger community, and they will mean it with every single note and lyrics. M.C.I.D. again as their friends are hanging on the side of the stage throughout the whole set, dancing and singing along. Naturally, it might appear as a little bit distracting, especially if you watch this band for a very first time, but after a while you simply get used to their crew occasionally walking on and off the stage without any particular reason.

But moving on then. A little chaos erupts as another band emerges on stage, The Hunna, who admit “We love Highly Suspect. We didn’t know this was gonna happen. We found out two seconds ago”. Surprising and interesting as it is, the technical difficulties and bad vocal delivery takes its toll, making it overall an unnecessary interruption.

But time is creeping up on us as I watch the bar staff gearing up for closing. However, judging on the setlist, we’re kinda in the middle of the band’s repertoire for tonight. Surely, they don’t look like finishing off anytime soon.

Huge singalongs commence as Highly Suspect spin the reflective Wolf and “dance motherfuckers, dance!” Claudeland. The crowd is going nuts of course, but it’s not the end just yet. Ryan’s astonishing drum solo makes one of the standout moments of the set, unfortunately interrupted by the vocalist.

“There’s no time for break so I’m gonna hide behind the speaker and pretend we’re not coming back. Make some noise for the encore!” Johnny says and as the lights turn on the audience he adds: “Look around. That’s family. M.C.I.D. Because what? Because we’re all humans”.

No introduction needed, the outstanding single My Name Is Human and Look Alive, Stay Live set an exquisite ending to tonight’s long set.

It is fair to say that a lot of Highly Suspect‘s tracks are built around quite similar arrangements what can cast a flat tone at times. However, stronger elements appear that outweigh this impression. The intensity of Stevens’ idiosyncratic growl and sharp guitars alongside heavy percussion and fierce bass lines form a concoction of sound that make people freeze. It is heavy thus it’s not for everyone, but it is also purifying and that’s exactly what music should do. Personally, I really look forward to seeing where their potential takes them next.

Photos: Kasia Osowiecka