Since its founding in 2005, TNKFest has been focusing on connecting Chicago’s indie music venues, and highlighting various up and coming artists. While TNKFest has been consistent in booking some of the best emerging artists in various music scenes, I was personally stoked to see New York-based band Been Stellar on the 2025 bill. This past year has been filled with major accomplishments for the band, including signing to the record label Dirty Hit, the release of their debut album Scream from New York, NY, opening for Fontaines D.C. in the United States, and having their own headlining tour across Europe and North America. On Friday, January 17th, Lincoln Hall was packed with fans anxiously awaiting for the indie noise rockers to headline the night.
Right off the bat, the band kicked off their set with the title track of their debut album, “Scream from New York, NY.” The audience was immediately captivated by the song’s somber yet complex buildup that ends in an explosion of intensity and distorted noise. Without missing a beat, frontman Sam Slocum launched into shouting vocals with tambourine in hand to commence the start of “Passing Judgement;” a crowd favorite tune with quirky yet chaotic melodies, jangly guitars, and a dynamic, driving beat. Within the first ten minutes of the band’s performance, Been Stellar established that their ability to produce ruthlessly loud, layered noise with absolutely beautiful melodies live is a force to be reckoned with.
After a few songs, the band erupted in a wave of wild, noisy feedback interrupted by driving drums to kick off their song “Manhattan Youth,” another standout moment of the band’s set. During the upbeat, garage-rock influenced song, the crowd got a rush of energy, jumping to every beat. With the band feeding off of the crowd’s vibe, it felt like being transported to New York during the height of the 2000’s indie scene.
While the band had a solid set from start to finish, a special moment for myself was when the guitarists of the band erupted into a 90’s shoegaze-eque exchange of notes, signaling the start of my favorite song “Sweet.” The song showcases Slocum’s vocal skills, going from sweet and tender melodies to emotional belting that emphasizes the lyrics in a sonically beautiful way. The instrumentation is made up of distorted guitar riffs and basslines intertwining in such an effortless way that are only enhanced by hearing it live.
Been Stellar’s ability to bounce off one another live is an incredible quality of the band. Co-founder and guitarist Skyler Knapp is a leading force in the band’s stage sound and presence, creating wailing noises and walls of distorted guitar while constantly moving around on stage in a wild manner. Each member is so in touch with their own instruments and sounds that when they come together, it is nothing short of incredible. I often caught myself smiling because of the insane amount of noise the band produced inside the walls of Lincoln Hall. With a discography ranging from melancholic noise to upbeat garage rock, Been Stellar was able to create the most incredible live soundscapes that made this show one of the most memorable that I have ever experienced.