BY MAUI CABRAL As photographers, there are bands you get to shoot. Then there are bands you’ve been waiting years to photograph. Highly...
BY MAUI CABRAL
As photographers, there are bands you get to shoot. Then there are bands you’ve been waiting years to photograph. Highly Suspect was one of those bands for me. Walking into The Ritz Raleigh, there was already a different level of excitement. Not because it was another show on the calendar, but because this was a band I’ve wanted in front of my lens for a long time. And after the night was over? It was every bit as rewarding as I hoped it would be.
Opening the night was Dead Poet Society, marking my second time shooting them. The first thing that stands out about Dead Poet Society is how difficult they are to put into a box. Their sound blends alternative rock, grunge, blues, and modern rock influences into something uniquely their own. They’re one of those bands that has quietly built a loyal following by doing things differently. Live, that originality comes through immediately. Their performance felt heavy. Grungy and energetic without trying too hard. The riffs hit hard, the grooves were infectious, and the chemistry between the band members was obvious from the start. Being my second time photographing them, I already knew they were great live. This set just reinforced it.
Then came Highly Suspect. For anyone unfamiliar, Highly Suspect emerged out of Massachusetts and quickly separated themselves from the modern rock pack by refusing to sound like everyone else. Their breakthrough album, Mister Asylum, earned Grammy nominations and introduced listeners to songs like "Lydia," "Bloodfeather," and "Serotonia." Tracks that felt raw, emotional, and completely unapologetic. That’s what makes Highly Suspect special. They’ve never felt polished in the traditional sense. They feel human. Flawed. Honest. Emotional. And that’s exactly why so many people connect with them.
I’ll be honest. The entire night felt a little surreal. I’ve waited a long time to shoot these guys. When you spend years listening to a band and then find yourself standing in the photo pit with a camera in your hand, it creates a strange moment where you’re trying to do your job while also appreciating where you are. And that’s exactly how this felt.
The moment Johnny Stevens walked on stage, the room erupted. Not because people were just excited to hear songs. They were excited to feel them. What stood out most about Highly Suspect wasn’t the production or the lighting. It was the emotion. Every song felt lived in. Whether it was a quieter moment or a full-on explosion of energy, there was a level of honesty behind the performance that made everything feel real. No masks. No pretending. Just music delivered exactly the way it was intended. And honestly, those are my favorite kinds of shows. From a photography standpoint, this was one of those nights where everything came together. The lighting worked. The energy was there. The crowd was engaged. And most importantly, the band delivered moments. The kind of moments photographers chase. Expressions. Movement. Connection. The photos from this show are some of my favorites I’ve captured in a while, and that’s not something I say lightly. Sometimes you leave a venue hoping you got a few good shots. This wasn’t one of those nights. This was one of those nights where you’re scrolling through the images afterward and smiling because you already know you got something special.
Dead Poet Society came in and reminded me why they’re one of the most interesting rock bands on the road right now. Highly Suspect reminded me why I’ve wanted to photograph them for so long. And after years of waiting to get them in front of my camera, they absolutely delivered. Not just as musicians. Not just as performers. But as artists. And honestly, that’s what made this show so rewarding. Sometimes the bands you wait the longest to shoot end up being worth every second of that wait. This was one of those times.
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- JOSH "MAUI" CABRAL
Hey! I'm Maui. Originally from Queens, New York, now making Raleigh, NC my new home. I'm a touring photographer and Nomadic Motorcycle Rider, obsessed with seeing the world through different lenses!
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