After releasing their latest album Scream From New York, NY, Manhattan favourites Been Stellar made their return to the UK.
The run finds the band back in the city following a Manchester gig at YES in May and back on these shores after a successful run of festivals over the summer. The summer run included sets at Tramlines, Truck Festival and Latitude.
Hitting Manchester Academy 3 this time, Been Stellar set about to showcasing the new album to an audience which has now had the opportunity to take in the album in its entirety. But that’s not to say that old favourites didn’t also make the set list – far from it.
As they take to the stage, the crowd is instantly hooked. And they remain transfixed across the dozen tracks Been Stellar perform as the band pulls in a wealth of sonic feelings and moods. They’re atmospheric, gritty, grungy, at times joyous and energetic; they are evocative and sometimes euphoric as they deliver tracks drawing on indie, shoegaze and rock.
The set brings in plenty of variety – there are intense drums on Manhattan Youth; softer reflective acoustic guitar moments on Takedown building towards arching vocals and busy guitars; driving bass on Pumpkin which features spot on rhythmic drums which demand foot taps and nods.
Of course perhaps the biggest cheer of the evening belongs to the enthusiastic welcome Kids 1995 receives. The track providing one part of a double highlight finale alongside I Have The Answer which has the crowd singing along, delivering every lyric straight back at Been Stellar.
The lighting only serves to add to the atmosphere with vocalist Sam Slocum frequently cutting a visually shadowy figure, enhancing the mystery and emotion which cuts through their performance.
There are frequent shouts of approval from the crowd from the opening of their latest album’s title track through to the very last note they play. The shouts and cheers, punctuate what is a hugely attentive and appreciative audience, hanging on every lyric, every chord. And whilst the interaction with the crowd is largely minimal, there seems to be an unspoken understanding between Been Stellar and the fans who are lapping up every second.
There’s no encore, but as the crowd file out there’s an understanding that they have just witnessed an outstanding band land a masterclass of song, atmosphere and delivery.
