Been Stellar to perform with Fontaines D.C. in Omaha

Courtesy photo of Gabe Long

Indie-rock band Been Stellar will be performing at Omaha’s Slowdown on Oct. 5 at a sold out show opening for Fontaines D.C.

The New York-based band has been playing together for seven years with vocalist Sam Slocum, guitarist Skyler Knapp, bassist Nico Brunstein, drummer Laila Wayans and guitarist Nando Dale. 

“We all came to New York and we were all really passionate about music,” Knapp said. “We wanted to play music with other people, and we happened to be the people that were around. Essentially, it’s just friendship (and) we all enjoyed being around each other.”

The band started as Slocum and Knapp’s high school project. At New York University, the two met the other three band members, which led to the evolution of the band into what it is today. 

Been Stellar released their self-titled EP in 2022. Since then the band has toured and created more music. In June 2024, they released their debut album, “Scream from New York, NY.” 

“Sam had that title bouncing around for a few years now,” Knapp said. “Once we started coming up with the themes and lyrics for the record, the whole concept of primal screams became a really big through line, so it was kind of the perfect title.” 

While Been Stellar is a U.S.-based band, most of their fanbase has come from the U.K. and Europe. They will headline a tour in Europe starting in November of this year. 

“It's been a little weird to have most of our fan base in a country we don't live in,” Knapp said. “We're in and out there quite a bit, and our label’s also in the U.K. It's sort of a second home at this point, especially London.” 

Been Stellar is supporting post-punk band Fontaines D.C. on their U.S. and Canada tour, which kicked off in San Francisco on Sept. 24 and will run until Oct. 20. 

“When you’re touring North America, it’s a lot more chaotic and unhinged,” Knapp said. 

The first three shows of Fontaines D.C.’s Romance Tour were canceled due to frontman Grian Chatten’s vocal injury. In lieu of scheduled performances, Been Stellar played last minute, “DIY style” shows that were free to attend in Portland and Seattle.

“I’m really excited to get into the cycle, getting into the thick of it with the shows,” Burnstein said.  

Not only is Burnstein excited for a consistent tour routine, but he is also looking forward to seeing new places. The band will continue to tour around various Midwest cities, including Lawrence, Omaha, Madison, Minneapolis and Chicago, before heading to Canada and the East Coast. 

“I just like visiting the cities especially,” Burnstein said. “I’m actually especially excited for Omaha, because we’ve never been there.” 

The tickets for Been Stellar’s performance at the Slowdown are sold out. The band’s music can be found on Spotify, bandcamp, YouTube and other streaming services. 

Published for the Daily Nebraskan, read here.