Photo credit: Rhys Dolman
Words by: Sam Walker-Smart
With icy winds and occasional snow flurries blowing through the dark streets of Bristol, Wednesday’s weather seemed purposefully set for a Been Stellar show. 2024 has been a busy year for the band, with their label debut Scream From New York earning them well-deserved praise on both sides of the pond. Blending shoegaze-infused post-punk with a touch of grit, they’ve quickly become one of the buzziest guitar bands around. Their dreamy yet muscular songs offer a fresh perspective on the mean streets of NYC. Tonight, they’re joined by Bristol’s IOTA and Cork’s Cardinals, two bands whose youthful energy matches the headliners well.
IOTA wastes no time heating up the crowd. Channeling early-2000s emo with a dash of Grunge-era snarl, frontwoman Jodie Robinson performs as though she’s playing to 3,000 people, not 300. Swinging from the venue’s pillars and repeatedly diving into the crowd, the group injects a raw, DIY energy into the room. It doesn’t take long before The Fleece is completely packed, with a few eager headbangers letting loose at the front. It’s mission accomplished for the local gang.
Cardinals up the ante, proving that Ireland refuses to stop pumping out distinctive indie bands for the world to enjoy. The unholy offspring of The Modern Lovers and The Libertines, the six-piece tears through their angular tunes with effortless swagger. Beneath the aloof cool and gritty guitars, however, are some undeniably catchy pop songs— “Get It” and “Roseland” in particular—striking a real chord with the crowd. It’s not often you see an accordion being utilized in an alternative rock show, but we’re all for Cardinals bringing a bit of Celtic magic to the mix. They are definitely an act to watch.
By 9:30 pm, Been Stellar takes the stage. Despite being the youngest-looking band of the night, the NYU graduates easily earn their headline slot. Halfway through their EU tour, they’ve become a well-oiled beast, with drummer Laila Wayans propelling the act to an explosive crescendo over their hour-long set. Blasting through the majority of Scream From New York plus a few earlier singles, the album’s loudest moments sound muted compared to their live versions. Guitarist Skylar Knapp’s erratic bursts of shoegaze chaos create an immersive, deafening sound, with Knapp’s duct tape-covered Fender Jaguar nearly smashing into The Fleece’s walls more than once.
Vocalist Sam Slocum shakes a tambourine absentmindedly, channeling a bit of Liam Gallagher’s swagger, before roaring into the mic about rats, black smoke, and desire. Much like the songs themselves, his stage presence swings between extremes—one moment letting the band build a groove, the next taking charge and singing himself into a frenzy. By the time “Sweet” hits, Been Stellar has the room fully locked in, the crowd alternating between blissed-out sways and screaming along in unison.
The set closes with the album’s epic closer, “I Have the Answer.” As the band’s longest song, it gives them space to stretch out, letting the hypnotic groove evolve into a jam-heavy outro. Nostalgic yet angsty, the bittersweet tones of the track perfectly encapsulate Been Stellar’s unique appeal. With the headliners more than living up to the hype and supporting acts that complemented the evening’s energy, the show delivered in every sense. Long live NYC punk rock.