The closest you can get to experiencing an early 2000s New York City in 2024 isn’t through old YouTube videos of LCD Soundsystem or The Strokes; it’s by experiencing a Been Stellar gig. Over ten years in the making, the New York based quintet began in true, all-American fashion; childhood friends forming a band with friends they met at New York University. Their sound is anything but all-American however; channelling the musical history of their hometown Michigan and merging it with a distinctly New York attitude as post-punk meets shoegaze in a stunning combination.
With a post-punk lineup for the ages, we were graced with Cardinals opening for the band. Hailing from Cork, the Irish band, who released their first EP six months ago, delivered a performance full of energy and creativity to inspire the rest of the night. Finn Manning shone as he showed his talent with the accordion, an instrument which is so rarely celebrated in modern music and added a unique folk twist to the post- punk genre. The authenticity of the band left an indelible mark, ensuring the audience was fully primed for the night ahead.
You know it’ll be a good gig when the frontman walks out, tambourine in hand, in true Grian Chatten style. Been Stellar, signed to Dirty Hit Records, have supported an array of bands, from inspiration Fontaines D.C to their record labels biggest performer, The 1975, attracting fans across the UK. At their last headline tour in Newcastle in 2022, the band played Zerox and have since doubled the capacity of the venues they play at.
Opening with their debut album’s title track, Scream From New York, NY, Been Stellar took to the stage. While their aesthetic doesn’t overtly ‘scream’ New York; their attitude certainly did. With nonchalant, almost bored expressions, only interacting with the crowd a handful of times, the band exuberated confidence which kept the audience utterly compelled throughout the night. Moving onto Passing Judgement, their shoegazing attitudes combined with the loud, electrifying music created a sense of detachment. Been Stellar let their music do the talking, and the result was nothing short of mesmerizing. They were raw, unfiltered, and effortlessly cool.
The middle of the set saw the band treat us to fan favourite, and one of their first releases, Manhattan Youth. Frontman Sam Slocum delivered the quintessential shoegaze voice, clearly inspired by sounds of Britain such as Slowdive and Radiohead. While the band take much inspiration from across the pond, the song serves as a love letter to their home city; their identity will always be firmly planted in New York.
Of course, their interests lie outside of the city – some even venture as far as the ‘toon’. As big “soccer” fans, Slocum informs the audience that bassist Nico Brunstein is a Newcastle United fan, has toured St James’ Park twice, and is even dressed in the club’s jacket. Naturally, this prompted the crowd to erupt into Toon chants. Brunstein’s response? A simple, understated thumbs up, simultaneously satisfying and silencing the audience. Takedown was another stand-out in the setlist, encapsulating Been Stellar’s diverse range. Slocum trades his tambourine for an acoustic guitar, stripping back the song to its emotional core, carrying a side of vulnerability that contrasts to the rest of the set. Kids 1995 was the undeniable highlight of the night, and completely stole the show with its energy, creating a high amongst the audience. It’s difficult not to think the track would’ve been a stronger closer than I Have the Answer. While the latter was a beautiful close in its own right, it simply couldn’t match the sheer power of Kids 1995, which felt like the perfect culmination of everything the night had to offer.
The gig was unforgettable, nonetheless. It was a testament to how far the post – punk, indie sleaze band have come. Their ability to transport audiences to an era where music felt immediate, urgent, and alive is unmatched, and holds a beautiful weight of nostalgia. To see Been Stellar is to enter a time machine. They don’t just play music; they recreate a forgotten era.
Words by Amelia Thompson