The Knockturnal sat down with Sueco The Child, Post Performance, at Irving Plaza, to Discuss His New Album Attempted Lover, Tour, and Being an Independent Artist.
Last Saturday night, the Knockturnal attended a Sueco concert at Irving Plaza. Sueco, also known as Sueco The Child, is a rapper and rock singer from Los Angeles who burst onto the scene after going viral on TikTok—and for good reason. Sueco’s music is deep, intense, and beautiful. When you think about people who are meant to be in the space they occupy, Sueco is one of them. Watching him perform is a testament to that, especially if you’ve already connected with his music.
Sueco on stage at Irving plaza.
Photographed by Ayoub Yechou
Sueco at Irving Plaza
Photographed by Ayoub Yechou
When Sueco came out on stage, the packed room went wild. The energy was electric, and you could tell people had been waiting a long time for this concert. He opened with “Bathroom Floor,” wearing a striking red leather ensemble by an L.A.-based designer. He paired the suit with an “I Love NY” black tee and red and black cowboy boots that matched the outfit. This was no ordinary suit—it had bat wings that seemed to fly with Sueco as he moved on stage. With all the jumping, crowd surfing, and actual surfing, it felt like Sueco could really fly. I still think maybe he can?
One of the first things he said to the crowd was that New York was the best show they played on the last tour. One hundred percent believable—New York goes hard. At one point, Sueco brought out music producer Michael Burman, who carried a silver, winged guitar named Excalibur (fitting the night’s theme). If there was ever a guitar deserving of that name, it’s this one. Sueco was also accompanied by Khristian on drums, Jordy on guitar/bass and James Marino also on guitar.
Michael Burman
Photographed by Ayoub Yechou
Midway through the concert, Sueco addressed the crowd, saying, “I’ve been going through some things lately.” He then introduced Lionel, the therapy gecko—a person dressed in a gecko costume who came on stage and sat with him. Lionel’s first question, “How have you been feeling lately?”—even though part of an act—touched on the idea that, if therapy were more mainstream and destigmatized, anyone and everyone could benefit. Sueco mentioned that he recently started therapy and that it’s been helping him, especially in relationships. Whether intentional or not, his openness may inspire fans, who might not hear it from family, to view therapy differently and possibly consider it.
Sueco band on stage at Irving Plaza Photographed by Ayoub Yechou
The concert was super interactive, with Sueco responding to audience members’ calls, giving them sincere attention, and connecting with them. He read signs and granted requests from the crowd—something rare at concerts. When Sueco says he does this for his fans, he means it and proves it, as shown by the three encore songs he played. Not to mention the variety of merch he threw into the crowd after—t-shirts, caps, not just setlists and guitar picks.
Sueco Surfs on the Crowd Surf 9000 Irving Plaza. Photographed by Ayoub Yechou.
A fan-favorite moment came after he played “Story Of My Life,” when Sueco brought out his surfboard, the Crowd Surf 9000, for his iconic crowd surf. Sueco signed and auctioned off the board last night, with signatures from the band as well.
Sueco at Irving Plaza. Photographed by Ayoub Yechou
Sueco is one to watch (if you haven’t already been) and one to listen to. His music can resonate cross generational and his story is one everyone should read. Not many can explain what they have been through and how they got to where they are today the way that Sueco does in this Instagram post. Click to read here. From overcoming addiction, to moving forward with music as his baseline. To becoming independent with a healthier outlook on life and relationships. We are rooting for you.
Sueco and Lionel the therapy Gecko at Irving Plaza. Photographed by Ayoub Yechou.
Interview with Sueco:
The Knockturnal: What is the energy right now? How are you feeling post-show?
Sueco: Dude, I’m honestly ready to go to sleep right now. In about 30 minutes, the adrenaline’s going to wear off, and I’m going to crash, hard.
The Knockturnal: How do you go to sleep after a show like this?
Sueco: You’re definitely riding the high for as long as the adrenaline lasts. When that’s out, at least for me, dude, I’m crashing. Sometimes we go out. Maybe we’ll go out and hang afterward, but most of the time, I’m so tired I don’t want to do anything. I just want to go to sleep.
Sueco in an I love NY t-shirt at Irving Plaza. Photographed by Ayoub Yechou.
The Knockturnal: Can you talk to me about this look?
Sueco: It’s this designer we found in L.A. who makes custom, one-of-one leather suits. His signature is the bat wings. I have a red leather bag with wings he made, too. He even did the hat—it’s black with bat wings. (Someone brings over a cool hat with wings on it.) Super hard.
The Knockturnal: Someone in the crowd said they’re alive because of you and your music. How does that feel? Did you ever imagine that your influence and music would literally save lives?
Sueco: Music did that for me when I was young, which is really why I wanted to do this in the first place. I wanted to help people because it helped me when I needed it most. It’s deeply fulfilling to know I can do that, in a way that helped me. As long as one person can be helped, that’s all that really matters.
Jordy, Bassist/Guitar player for Sueco at Irving Plaza. Photographed by Ayoub Yechou.
The Knockturnal: There are so many musical elements on “Attempted Lover.” How would you describe the album? Is there a message?
Sueco: It’s really just my process of trying to learn what a healthy relationship feels like. My life’s been a series of bad decisions. Lyrically, it stems from a conversation I had with my aunt two years ago. She’s the only one in my family who’s been happily married for a long time. She told me, “If I find something real, it’s not going to feel familiar, and it’ll feel uncomfortable at first, but I’ll have to learn how to do that.”
Sueco at Irving Plaza.
Photographed by Ayoub Yechou.
The Knockturnal: Is that where therapy comes in?
Sueco: I guess.
Sueco at Irving Plaza. Photographed by Ayoub Yechou.
The Knockturnal: Is “Attempted Lover” about attempting to love properly?
Sueco: Yeah, and to love myself. It’s the anger, frustration, happiness, loneliness—all those emotions.
The Knockturnal: What’s the hardest song to perform?
Sueco: Emotionally, “Never Even Left” is the hardest. It’s about my mom, who passed away when I was 15. I can’t even play it live without crying. Physically, “Yours” is tough, but we didn’t do it tonight.
The Knockturnal: The song titles on “Attempted Lover” sound like a series of events from one night.
Sueco: That was the idea. If you watch the videos, it’s like one night in a garage where events unfold.
Khristian, Drummer for Sueco at Irving Plaza.
Photographed by Ayoub Yechou.
The Knockturnal: What are the best shoes for performing?
Sueco: I’m in cowboy boots right now. These aren’t great—they’ve got no grip, and I almost fall off the surfboard every night.
The Knockturnal: We love the surfboard.
Sueco: Form over function, I guess.
The Knockturnal: What’s it like being independent now?
Sueco: It’s way easier. I don’t have anyone telling me I can’t release music. When you’re signed, they take almost everything. I’d rather have all my people eat than some guy at a label.
The Knockturnal: What do you do when the tour is over?
Sueco: The first thing I’m doing is going home and sleeping for three or four days.
Sueco at Irving plaza. Photographed by Ayoub Yechou.
Show Setlist:
Story Of my Life (Illenium Cover)