Been Stellar took the stage at the Fillmore Minneapolis last night, riding the wave of anticipation that comes with opening for a band as high-octane as Fontaines DC. With a crowd already primed for intensity, Been Stellar gave a set that was equal parts grit and catharsis.
Opening with “Scream From New York, NY,” the title track from their debut album, the band immediately summoned the ghosts of ’90s grunge, but with a sharper, more frenetic edge. The drums hit like a sucker punch, momentarily transforming the cavernous Fillmore into the intimacy of a basement venue like the 7th St Entry. As they transitioned into the bouncier “Manhattan Youth,” their knack for weaving nostalgia into the frenetic pulse of modern city life became clear. The track’s restless energy captured the disillusionment of urban youth, a theme that felt all the more visceral in a live setting.
Midway through, the band shifted into high gear with “Sweet,” keeping the intensity while moving us into a dreamy, melancholic atmosphere. That’s Been Stellar’s trick up its sleeve, The band’s ability to toggle between raw energy and emotional nuance – keeping the crowd engaged without ever slipping into predictability.
With just seven songs to work with, fitting into a half hour opening set, Been Stellar made every moment count. Just like their album “Scream from New York”, their set also ended with “I Have the Answer,” keeping the intensity while adding something more introspective and atmospheric. The reverb-soaked guitars and airy vocals were cataclysmic, cementing their place as a standout live act to a crowd that was already packed in before the headliner. The band’s slow burn into an explosive finale was a powerful introduction to Been Stellar, a band fully in their stride, delivering something raw, engaging, and undeniably exciting.
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