Concert Review: Highly Suspect - Auckland - 1st December 2024

Presented By Live Nation

HIGLY SUSPECT SPARK ARENA AUCKLAND 2024 - PHOTO CREDIT GINNY COCKS

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Review By: Sarah Kidd

Artist: Highly Suspect

Date: Sunday 1st December 2024

Venue: Spark Arena, Auckland, NZL

There is a lot of love shared between New Zealand and Highly Suspect the band from Massachusetts who just last year had kiwi’s scrabbling for tickets across the country, the boys themselves adding additional shows to the tour to try and quench their fans desires.

So, to have them back so soon after the release of their latest album ‘As Above, So Below’ definitely saw tickets flying out the door, the GA section last night swarming with a sea of black clad bodies. And of course, Highly Suspect aren’t the sort of band to leave the rest of the country hanging, Tāmaki Makaurau being the last night of a three-date tour that saw them bestow their blessings on both Christchurch and Wellington first.

With a fairly early start to the show, there was not one but two support acts; the late addition of a band from Otago by the name of Powder Chutes a success story that only few bands could dream of. Having just released their first single this year by the name of ‘Merchants’ the band attended the Christchurch show, and after obtaining a coveted spot on the barrier they hurled a baseball cap bearing their bands name to Johnny. Well, that cap turned out to be their golden ticket, Johnny soon posting on his Insta that their band was one that he had been listening to for almost a year and that not only would they be opening their Wellington show, but Auckland as well.

And open it they did, in fact they cracked it wide open. Consisting of Archie, Clarke, Otis and Henry on vocals, Powder Chutes brought a mix of rock, grunge, and angst riddled punk to the stage. Most of all they brought a hunger, they may still be young, but the talent is already there in spades, their energy and desire to not waste such an opportunity something that would once again be displayed later in the night.

Following Powder Chutes, local act Rita Mae with band in tow pivoted slightly into the more indie pop side of things, her set bringing a nice balance to the night. Daughter of Jim Laing (JPS Experience), the talent for playing guitar is already coursing through the genes, but it is her lyricism, which is both emotional and very much her own that ensures Rita Mae really stands out. Anthemic songs such as ‘Kiss the Sky’ are certainly going to keep her on playlists for quite a while yet.

The arena was now ready and waiting, the minutes slowly ticking by as techs made the finishing touches and people jostled to ensure that their spot on the front barrier was locked in.

Staying true to the roots of rock n roll, there were no big screens, just a stage that was reminiscent of old school Hollywood picked up and dumped into the middle of the forest. Small triangular trees framing the back of the stage – an ode maybe to Johnny’s formative years of living in the White Mountains of Northern New Hampshire deep in the forest with his biker Dad – while a wall of lightbulbs above them nodded at the old glitz of show life. Two staircases one leading up to drummer Ryan Meyer, the other to Mark Schwartz on keys, brought dimension, while a leather two-seater couch off to the right, gave a comforting lounge room feel to the whole set up.

The room soon echoed with the sound of stamping feet and cheers as the band arrived on stage, ringleader Johnny Stevens looking at first as if he were dressing for bad weather, his pale wide legged pants topped with a zipped-up fleece, a beanie adorning his head. The aforementioned jacket soon being ditched, a more relaxed aura descending over the singer which was immediately picked up by the crowd.

To his left, Matt Kofos on guitar was glittering under the lights thanks to a sparkling shirt that was also soon discarded in favour of a long-sleeved mesh top. In fact, each member had a style uniquely their own, some of which flew in the face of what society may deem a rock band should wear. It is another aspect of Highly Suspect, albeit a subtle one that makes them so endearing. Societal opinions on norms be gone, authenticity is all that is demanded here; nothing is skin deep, veins are cut and true colours displayed.

Straight into ‘Bath Salts’ originally featured on their EP The Worst Humans and then again on their 2015 debut album Mister Asylum, kicked off the night after a brief intro from Johnny that they were indeed Highly Suspect.

Calling for a circle pit, Johnny reminded everyone that this was a “rock show” and that everyone was going to have an “insane” night. Those down front soon complying and while their music is not really of a genre that can sustain circle pits, the fans certainly still threw their bodies into it in a display of affection for the band.

Despite some initial issues with either his guitar or pedals that momentarily seemed to frustrate Johnny, he was soon dancing across the stage as ‘Claudeland’ kept the tempo upbeat, Highly Suspect then moving into some of their latest material, Auckland getting the chance to taste the new album in a live setting.

‘Mexico’ saw a mini electric drum stand brought down for Kofos, who impressively moved between sticks, maracas, and his guitar with ease while circular wave like lights washed over the audience much like the music was. This was followed by ‘Summertime Voodoo’ where the line “I’m sorry Miss Jackson” is not only Johnny apologising to an ex-girlfriend’s mum for being a shitty boyfriend but a tip of the hat to André 3000 and Outkast, Hip Hop being a genre of music that has held a special place in Johnny’s heart. The outro to the track where he speaks of riding through the Mojave Desert on an XR a modern-day dialogue reminiscent of the musings of the Lizard King (aka Jim Morrison of The Doors) himself.

‘Plastic Boxes’ which has already been added on rotation on commercial radio gave the audience the chance to once again let go, the bluesy rock of the previous tracks picking up speed and hitting the crowd with big riffs and a punchy chorus.

But it was ‘Lydia’ that saw everyone go wild as they watched Johnny demand that Henry from Powder Chutes be brought to stage to sing the song, Henry relaying that his vocals were a bit shot but that he would give it his best. Frankly if that was his best then these kids are going somewhere, the rest of the band soon joining Highly Suspect and turning the stage into a party zone as bassist Rich Meyer handed over his instrument and stood back and grinned as Powder Chutes celebrated.

It also shows what kind of band Highly Suspect are. A group of guys who started out as a covers band and who have worked their way up the ranks through blood, sweat and tears and the ability to stay true to themselves for better or worse. The fact that they brought these kids along for the ride, unplanned, showing that they know what it is like to be starting out and ensuring that in a world saturated with manufactured pop, reaching out a hand to those starting out and pulling them up behind you is the way to go.

It is not the first time either that they have done it – check out a band by the name of Silly Goose, a rap rock band from Atlanta, Georgia who took a chance and followed Highly Suspect around on tour, setting up a little portable stage on their trailer and playing outside venues until the cops would make them leave. Johnny soon heard about them and brought them onstage for a couple of the dates and later even brought them on tour. This is what music and family is all about.

But what followed next was something that the resolute followers had only dreamed about; they knew it had happened in Christchurch, but would it happen here in Auckland? As the band quietly disappeared and Johnny was left alone with his guitar and a singular spotlight, everyone held their breath, cheers of encouragement piercing the air as the opening notes of ‘16’ began to play. It is a deeply personal and heartbreaking song, and one that was not even touched during their last tour here and certainly a song that Johnny still struggles with playing live, last night’s version cut back. Johnny still however crooning the chorus a couple of times to allow everyone the chance to bleed along with him both through their voices and for many, tears, the track one that cuts deep for many who were present.

‘The Reset’ was indeed just that, the instrumental allowing the band to chase away any ghosts lingering on the edges, Ryan Meyers epic drum solo ensuring that they left the building altogether. ‘The Blue-Eyed Devil’ a track debuted live here in Aotearoa last year, saw Johnny kick back on the couch for a while, his guitar playing next level. Some may write off Highly Suspect as just another commercial radio friendly rock band, but one only needs to experience them live to realise that here is a group of seriously talented musicians. Johnny in particular an underrated blues guitarist whose fingers makes the strings spill all their secrets unabashedly. Johnny soon letting the audience know that he got rather messy the night before and that it felt good to sweat it all out on stage, despite that meaning that he missed sound check for which he was a “piece of shit”; his cheeky grin ensuring his immediate forgiveness.

Bassist Rich Meyers took over vocal duties for ‘Lost,’ his backing vocals always complimenting Stevens well, but on lead he really comes into his own. His baritones employing just enough of a dirty growl to make you drop all inhibitions and give yourself over to the track itself. The big guns of ‘My Name is Human’ soon following it up as Johnny joined Schwartz - who was once again on guitar - and Kofos for a playoff over on the left before blasting out some trippy vocals over a sea of cell phone lights thanks to additional effects and knowing how to use a microphone in a live setting.

Those emotive tracks and fan favourites from past albums were starting to really hit home, as ‘Wolf’ and ‘Serotonia’ – Johnny delighting in the fact that he could get an entire arena to sing about wanting to stay home naked and masturbate all day alone back to him hilarious – only overshadowed by the fact that he made the song about dreaming of New Zealand instead of California, the crowd screaming their approval. ‘Serotonia’ live being one of the tracks where you can really hear that early influence of ‘Pink Floyd’ a band that they used to cover fifteen years ago shining through like a crazy diamond.

Everyone was then rather surprisingly requested to get onto Live Nation, as Johnny wants to come back in 2026 and create MCID fest, in either Queenstown or Auckland “definitely one of the two”; the fans going wild at the statement and no doubt already hitting up the global entertainment company on their social media to ensure that this does indeed happen.

Finishing off the set with ‘Run for Your Death (More Pills)’, a killer track once again from their latest offering that truly does meld together the best of genres such as blues and metal in a way that few can; the band waved their goodbyes knowing full well that they were coming back for an encore but allowing the audience to show them some love by screaming for more.

Expecting three, as per previous sets, Johnny stated that Highly Suspect would be bestowing a four-track encore upon their Auckland crew; ‘Champagne at Our Funeral’ kicking it off and allowing many to exorcise their demons in regard to ex-lovers and friends, the chorus line chanted with venom.

Pulling it back, ‘Little One’ was one big sing along, the melancholy song a long-time friend of many, before once again the band led Auckland through an almost ritualistic cleansing through the power of music as ‘Suicide Machine’ and of course ‘Pink Lullabye’ saw Powder Chutes and their guitar tech join them on stage in a melee of guitars and vocals. The mosh pit churning as everyone gave themselves over completely.

As the instruments faded out, Johnny was left alone with the microphone, one line repeatedly falling from his lips; “Don’t let them kill your vibe,” everyone focusing intently on him as he did and cheering in solidarity.

Highly Suspect fans know exactly what he meant in that moment. It is why all the band members bear the MCID tattoo and many of their followers too. They are indeed a family, through good times and bad, they remain authentic to themselves regardless of how the rest of the world sees them. And in a time where social media rules, and popular opinion endeavors to shape society into what is perceived to be beneficial to those who are pulling the strings, isn’t authenticity indeed what is needed?

So yeah. Don’t let them kill your vibe.

SET LIST

Bath Salts

Claudeland

Mexico

Summertime Voodoo

Plastic Boxes

Lydia

16

The Rest

The Blue-Eyed Devil

Lost

My Name is Human

Wolf

Serotonia

Run For Your Death (More Pills)

Champagne at Our Funeral – encore

Little One – encore

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