After playing Ieperfest in 2023 and their appearance last year at Rock Werchter, it was no surprise that High Vis was going to sell out this concert in Trix.
Buckle up, put your safety vests on and enjoy the ride on the Guided Tour.
90s nostalgia with modern energy
Narrow Head flew all the way from the States to present their unique blend of rock, shoegaze and grunge.
From the first notes it was clear this band was one for the guitar fans among us: the band consist of 4 guitarists who don’t shy away from playing awesome riffs, distortions and guitar solos.
The first song ‘Yer’ Song‘ was a bit monotone at first, but that changed as the song progressed.
The next song ‘Cool in Motion‘ started off with more energy.
We were almost down to the last song when vocalist/guitarist Jacob Duarte put his guitar aside and clenched the microphone in his hand which allowed him to amp up the energy for the song ‘Gearhead‘.
Jacob missed his guitar so bad that he started the last song ‘Flesh & Solitude‘ with a distorted guitar solo.
Despite the lack of interaction with the public Narrow Head played a solid set.
Who knows, maybe we will see them again on Rock Werchter some day.
Setlist: Yer’ Song – Sunday – Cool in Motion Feels Like Sand – Moments of Clarity – Make It Hurt The Real – Gearhead – Flesh & Solitude
Punk hardcore for the British working class heroes
From the start it was clear the energy loaded British band was ready to give it all on this no-barrier show, which seemed like the perfect opportunity for some people to climb on the stage and go have fun stage diving.
High Vis is a band which found inspiration for the band name in the high visibility clothing representing the British working class. The band continued where Narrow Head left off and opened with a more melodic song ‘Talk For Hours’.
They gained some ‘Altitude‘ with a faster paced song. The album’s title track ‘Guided Tour’ got everyone dancing and singing along.
Moving on with ‘Out Cold‘ , a song that was written when vocalist Graham Sayle was in a bad place, clarifying how being part of the band saved his life. You could feel the heartfelt emotions in his voice!
After this moment of sincerity, it was time to get our funk on with the song ‘Mind’s a Lie’.
Going from funk to punk with the singalong song ‘Trauma Bonds‘ which got everyone chanting the rhetorical question ‘’Are we still lucky to be here?’’.
The Last song ‘Choose to Lose‘ started with a side to side , giving us the raw hardcore vibe for one last time, slightly moving on in the groove we have been experiencing all night.
Setlist: Talk For Hours – Altitude – Walking Wires – Drop Me Out – Guided Tour – 0151 – Out Cold – Farringdon Mob – DLA – Forgot to Grow – Fever Dream – Mind’s a Lie – Trauma Bonds – The Bastard Inside – Choose to Lose
Raw punk hardcore mixed with sweet melodies is how to best describe High Vis. They are definitively a band you need to see live to be able to fully comprehend what they’re all about.
If you still have time and are lucky to get a ticket, don’t miss out on their next concert tomorrow at Cactus Muziekcentrum in Bruges.
More info can be found here: High Vis – Narrow Head – Cactus Brugge