When HighWay comes to rock the house at Backstage By The Mill!
On Saturday, September 19, HighWay was set to perform at Backstage By The Mill -that iconic venue at O’Sullivans in Pigalle- to bring a touch of rock ’n’ roll to our capital. It was a night that certainly didn’t lack great riffs, a great atmosphere… and beer!
Doors opened at 7:30 p.m., and the first guests filed in and took their seats, waiting with a drink in hand for the opening band to take the stage. It was the perfect moment for the evening’s photographer to position himself to get the best angle, in case moving around later would be impossible.
Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos
Photos : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos
A few minutes later, the lights dim, and the opening act takes the stage to the first cheers of the night. It’s a colorful, “high” night, since it’s indeed High School Motherfuckers kicking things off.
On the setlist: 45 minutes of Parisian punk rock and a great vibe that was already starting to take hold, even though the venue wasn’t quite full yet. We got to hear some of their best-known songs, such as Water into Wine and Gina. But the band didn’t just play their songs; they connected with the audience and took them on a journey through their music.
It was definitely a concert not to be missed, because while it’s hard to describe, it was so interesting and enriching to experience.
The band had just as much fun as the audience; so much so that their set ended a little later than planned. And even though no one seemed to mind, it was time to make way for the headliner.
Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos
Photos : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos
Following the release of their album Last Call For Rock'n'Roll a little earlier this year (which we were lucky enough to cover in an interview here), it was time for HighWay to come and perform it live on a Parisian stage.
I think you know this is one of my favorite bands of the year, but you also know that I’m very picky when it comes to live performances. And in this case, I could only find one downside: HighWay deserves a bigger stage.
Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos
Photos : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos
I was surprised that the concert wasn’t sold out. The band is from the South, sure, but they’ve been around for a while and were backed by a pretty well-known local opening act. Even though there were other concerts going on that night, I think Highway deserved a slightly bigger crowd and a little more recognition.
The band delivered an hour and a half of pure rock ’n’ roll. They played every song from their latest album, including the title track during the encores, to wrap up the show. It was a small crowd but a great atmosphere; the audience knew the lyrics and was shouting, singing, and dancing along to every song.
Ben, the band’s lead singer, had fun chatting with the crowd and interacting with them to build that connection between fans and artists. The band paid attention to every little detail and even brought out the hats and the faux-fur jacket for the song ¡Bang Bang!
I didn’t notice a single slip-up during the performance. Everyone seemed thrilled, and to maintain the connection with the fans and keep the spirit of this memorable evening alive, the band was at the merch stand after the show to say hello, sign posters, and take photos. If I may say so, I think they even stayed for a drink at O’Sullivans with some local friends right afterward.
Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos Photo : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos
Photos : Eden Bisiot / @bisiot.photos
In conclusion, I’d say this is a particularly down-to-earth show and band, whose performances are rooted more in pure rock than in superficial elements.
You might hear this too often for your liking, but I can’t help but repeat it: support local artists. And by “local,” I mean the artists and bands from your own country, those who come to play a show in your area and deserve more exposure.
This isn’t the first time I’ve talked to you about HighWay, and it certainly won’t be the last. I encourage you to go to one of their concerts as soon as you get the chance. And if you haven’t already, it’s time for you to listen to Last Call For Rock’n’Roll and/or check out our interview with Ben and Benjamin!
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