Starbenders / The Deaf Institute / Manchester
I’m getting used to this A1/M18/M1/A616 trek across the Peak District (stunning journey) to Manchester, and this time we’re heading to the iconic Deaf Institute to catch Starbenders on the first night of their 2026 UK “The Beast Goes On” tour.
First up in support are Emo/Alternative Rockers Hell Hotel from Brighton. Only formed recently in 2023 they dropped their debut single Smile in early 2024, which saw them make an instant impact with their fast-paced, energetic style set around contrasting harsh and emotive vocals, and some great melodies.
Their most recent single Am I Nothing Now? Came out earlier this year. Lead vocalist Demi provides the core of the vocal performance, delivering some outstanding clean vocals, to which guitarist Tom adds a healthy does of the harsh stuff. The balances works really well between the two throughout. Tom moves energetically around fist bumping the crowd, encouraging them at every opportunity to get involved. It’s a lively set.
Their latest single Am I Nothing Now is a real hit with the early crowd, and it really starts to build the energy in the room. A great performance and a great was to start the night off right.
Next up are The Howling. If you like horror punk / gothic rock and bands such as Creeper, My Chemical Romance and Danzig, then these guys will be right up your street ! The quartet was formed by Mikey Lord (vocals) and Bailey Roper (drums) both formerly of As Sirens Fall. They released their debut single Little Promises in 2025, and their debut EP “Salvo” came out this year.
As soon as The Howling hit the stage, the energy levels and dramatic theatrics went up a notch further. Bailey on drums sporting a stunning black / white face paint job, with Joker-esque smile. Mikey, wearing long leather coat swooped round the small stage.
The Howling have a real creative vibe going on, and. A stage presence to match. Mikey interacting with the crowd, and encouraging them to participate, scream, shout and generally go wild ! Tracks like Promises, and Unholy (from their debut EP) are excellent and pack a goth rock punch. I was particularly impressed with their daring interpretation of Madonna’s classic Like a Prayer which went down an absolute storm with the Manchester crowd. A great alternative version that had the crowd singing along enthusiastically.
I was thoroughly impressed with The Howling. Long a fan of horror punk and goth rock, they brought a freshness and energy to the genre. Mikey in articular a talented performer…. With a great voice.
I look forward to seeing more of them soon !
Finally it’s time for tonight’s headliners, all the way from Atlanta Georgia, it’s time for glam rockers Starbenders. Formed back in 2013 by singer and guitarist Kimi Shelter and bassist Aaron Lecesne, joined by Kriss Tokaji on guitar and drummer Emily Moon. Moon left in 2024 and since then drumskin duties have been ably delivered by Qi Wei. I last saw them live in October 2023 at Rock City with Emily, so was excited to see what the new line up was like.
They released their debut album “Heavy Petting” in 2016 and their forth and most recent album “The Beast Goes On”, the focus of this tour, earlier this year.
The new album “The Beast Goes On” is quite possibly their best yet, and as ever, Kimi and the gang don’t disappoint live. Kimi with her striking big curly hair, and Kriss topless, repping an impressive six pack, looking like a founding member of ManOWar.
Starbenders are fantastic to see live. It’s funny because they’re not the most energetic band on stage, and yet they deliver….. They have a kind of….. swagger ? Subtle, but there, and it adds to the music, which, as ever is spot on. The new albums title track The Beast Goes On delivers an almost rock ballad element to the set, and lets Kimi’s vocals shine through which has the crowd engrossed. Another track from the new album Summon My Heart is an arena rock anthem if ever I heard one. Cold Silver is an absolute blast of a track and has everyone dancing along. The addition of Qi on drums is a masterstroke, her bright smile and effortless drumming bring a vitality and energy to the set.
As Kriss and Aaron swagger, Kimi works the crowd with ease. Funnily, as the venue is so small, their guitar tech is stood at the back of the room tuning a guitar and as songs ended he whooped and cheered from the back pumping the crowd up even more lol.
To be honest, the Manchester crowd don’t need hyping up, they’re loving every beat, and
The Deaf Institute is filled with smiles, joy and energy. Sex from 2023’s Take Back the Night” just oozes out of the speakers at us, a punkier edge to it, the different style fits the overall set well, whilst Seven White Horses drops the pace, with an almost country feel to the guitars. Laid back and relaxed, it’s fantastic stuff.
The set closer Saturday is a monster. Building throughout, it delivers a wonderful ‘80’s rock goddess feel. It’s bright, breezy and powerful, and the kinda track to dance along to.
Starbenders were as fantastic as ever. The line up is a right mix of styles, from emo/alt rock, through gothic/horror to pure glam rock. All three bands worked well together to deliver a thoroughly enjoyable night.
You can still catch Starbenders on this run of shows as they play tomorrow, the 11th June at The 1865 in Southampton, London’s The Dome on 12th June and then Patterns in Brighton on the 13th.
