HIGHS @ Biltmore Cabaret -- 07/19/16
Last time Toronto's HIGHS was in town, opening for We Are The City, was ahead of the release of their latest album Dazzle Camouflage, and the band was teasing the new material. Now that the album has been released, they returned to Vancouver for their very own headlining show at the Biltmore Cabaret.
I was running late and missed all of Douse's set, as well as part of locals Smash Boom Pow. I caught the tail end of the duo's set with some solid rock.
Soon after, the five members of HIGHS took the stage, in front of a floral curtain draped across the back of the stage (and some of the equipment on stage) for a nice atmosphere. They played their entire new album, and a couple from their previous EP, for a set full of fun and upbeat art-rock songs.
Guitarist Doug Haynes, took care of most vocal duties, but keyboardist Karrie Douglas and Joel Harrower, also on guitar, not only harmonized, but also took centre stage for a couple songs, their voices complimenting each other nicely.
Highlights of the set included the more intense "Gabriel (Blind Boy)" and "Careful", building from the simmering "Interlude" to burst in a show of harmonies, as well as my favourite of theirs, the joyous and bouncy song that hooked me on the band, "Summer Dress".
Appropriately enough, the band wrapped up the set with the final song from the album, the swirling "Gold Teeth", finishing off and not bothering with the faux encore tradition.
It was an energetic and fun set from the band, and I am really looking forward to seeing them again in the future.
setlist
Closetalkers
Handsome Man
So Sad, Never Mad
Portugal
Gabriel (Blind Boy)
Interlude
Careful
Nomads
Summer Dress
Acting Strange
I Do, Do You?
Easy
Gold Teeth
