Been Stellar are a force of nature. 

Ready to play in front of one of their biggest crowds to date, the band are in London and they are about to give a striking performance. 

The tour of acclaimed debut ‘Scream From New York, NY’ has seen the alt-rock band cement what they are about, with glowing confidence.   

Tackling darker themes such as feelings of isolation, disconnection and desperation the absorbing album shows a modern group at a crucial point in their journey, with a record that appears to offer a return to something that is somewhat lost in music.  

Vocalist Sam Slocum means business. Present in the here and now, singing with an unfiltered emotional vigour, his commitment is unmatched. He is not alone. Each member of the five-piece puts the same energy into the performance. Gritty, astonishingly noisy in parts, the concert has compelling moments of light and shade. 

A seamless set where tracks are interspersed with smooth ease right through, inarguable highlights include the dark frenzy of ‘Passing Judgement’, noise-rock focused ‘Sweet’, the My Bloody Valentine-like intensity of ‘Manhattan Youth’ and the bouncy uplift of ‘Kids 1995’. What unearths here is a delightful cacophony of sound and melody that feels haunting.  

Looking out for one another, supporting each other as a band, it takes no time to get tonight’s audience on their side, such is the dedication and attentive nature of the crowd. There’s a sense of urgency, if not desperation, to be part of this event, an awareness of what’s unfolding. 

The current and relatable songwriting coupled with a burning desire to be heard, Been Stellar are a pivotal voice, they leave no doubt in the mind of the audience that the next record and subsequent tour will offer even more of the same, which is just perfect.    

—

Words: Susan Hansen

—