I readily admit I hadn’t heard of High Fade before seeing they were booked at a venue I frequent, one where my tastes tend to align with whoever is on stage. That’s one of the pleasures of smaller venues: occasionally stumbling across a band you weren’t looking for. Enter Edinburgh’s High Fade, a self-described “dance funk” or “funk punk” trio that graduated from the streets of Scotland to international touring through relentless busking and hard work, now boasting more than 1,500 performances. Touring in support of their new album, “Twice as Nice,” the band draws from funk, rock, disco, and soul, all blended into a sound that ultimately circles back to groove.
Aside from the music itself, the concert is largely about the vibe the band creates. Singer and guitarist Harry Valentino isn’t content to stand at the microphone and perform. He wants the audience involved. At every opportunity he steps away from the mic, beckoning responses, cupping an ear toward the crowd, surveying the room from left to right, and encouraging participation. The approach feels completely natural and probably owes something to years spent winning over passersby on city streets.
The set is more about fun and momentum than individual highlights. Valentino may launch into a blazing guitar solo that, in a jam-funk band, might stretch on for ten minutes. But that’s not what High Fade is about. The focus remains on the riff, the groove, and keeping the songs moving. Bassist Oliver Sentence (“the man with the best mustache in the place”) and drummer Heath Campbell may not command the spotlight as often, but both bring plenty of personality and playful attitude that complements Valentino’s style. Fresh, honest, and joyful were my primary takeaways from the evening.
Most of the songs feature lyrics, though rarely anything too serious. “Fur Coat,” for example, centers on a woman who probably isn’t looking for just one man in her life. Among the instrumentals, “Sharpen Up,” “The Jam,” and “Burnin'” stood out, while Valentino finds opportunities to inject flashes of guitar heroics throughout nearly every song. Audience participation remains a recurring theme as well. During “Bone to Pick,” concertgoers were instructed to move their arms “to the left, to the middle, to the right.” Non-participation was not really an option.
For those unfamiliar with High Fade, that’s ultimately the appeal. The band isn’t trying to reinvent funk, rock, or disco. Instead, they combine those influences into an energetic live experience built around musicianship, personality, and connection with the crowd. With only two recent albums and extensive touring, High Fade seems poised to convert plenty more first-time listeners the same way they converted me. No need to wait until they’re famous. It’s a great time to catch them now!
Setlist:
Nashville’s JT Loux (pronounced “lucks” opened the evening. Where’s this guy (and his band) been hiding? I wouldn’t be surprised to find him at Atlanta’s Shaky Knees fest because he’s next-level ready. He’s got a voice that suits about any modern rock (alt, indie, mainstream) genre, has a “sound” that pervades across different composition approaches, and features plenty of riffs and solos to fit a broad “ear candy” category. Perhaps best of all, he has a confident stage presence that seems entirely natural, without the canned banter or posturing so often seems. He belongs on a stage, and I look forward to more.
Try “look into my eyes” or “makes me happy.”
