By Nate Follmer
Edited by Erica McNatt
Starset descended upon Stage AE and brought with them their unique world-building rock show. The night was filled with incredible visuals, cinematic music, and a narrative story that pulled fans into the world of the Starset Society.
The Demonstration, as the Starset Society calls their shows, began as I drove past Stage AE. The doors weren’t set to open for another hour, but already the line was wrapped around the venue and made its way back towards the Carnegie Science Center. There’s something very fitting about having a Starset Demonstration near a science center. The line was filled with fans donning futuristic sci-fi attire. I couldn’t help but think Bethesda Game Studios was involved. Was this “Starfield”? “Fallout”? Nope, this was Starset. They can build a better world than “Starfield” provided. Yes, I’m throwing some shade at a video game.
By the time I made it inside the venue, it was nearly full. Every seat was filled, every open space on the floor was taken, and I had to navigate the maze of fans to make my way to the barricade. The stage was hidden behind a massive white sheet. Behind this sheet was a production unlike any other. Sure, they had the usual lights, lasers, and fog machines, but there were also multi-level platforms with screens in front of them, and a large structure with fans scattered around sat at the center of the stage.
As Starset took the stage, the screens seemed to bring themselves to life and provided a backlit story that set the events of the evening in motion. The crowd got louder with every shadow that joined the stage. I quickly realized the purpose of the fan structure, as it began displaying holographic imagery that not only provided unique visuals, but also helped progress the Demonstration.
I should probably switch gears and talk about the music. We’re four paragraphs into this review, and this is a site about music, right? The sonic presentation was just as grand as the visuals. Starset layers their multi-instrumental songs beautifully live. Everyone had their space, and nobody overpowered the mix. This is a hard thing to do in a live setting, especially with seven members and a few playing more than one instrument at a time. Each song was faithful to the cinematic soundscape that’s created on the recordings.
Starset played a staggering 19-song setlist that contained songs from their four albums. Vocalist Dustin Bates was impressed with the crowd. “This is the biggest show we’re ever played in Pittsburgh,” he said near the end of the night. He also stated that this was their first tour with no prior album release, and the band was unsure how the tour would go. Clearly, the fans still showed up, as Stage AE was nearly sold out.
Setlist:
Unbecoming
Carnivore
MANIFEST
PERFECT MACHINE
Frequency
TRIALS
It Has Begun
Waiting on the Sky to Change
DEVOLUTION
INFECTED
TELEKINETIC
OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE
FAULTLINE
Monster
Halo
ECHO
Die for You
EARTHRISE
My Demons
I don’t want to spoil the experience that’s created at a Starset Demonstration, so feel free to continue reading. You’re safe to proceed.
The evening was filled with more than awe-inspiring visuals and otherworldly soundscapes. There was a narrative that was pulled from their music, their graphic novel, and the recently released book. That narrative weaved its way through the night. Starset creates a universe that you become a part of. You almost forget you’re at a concert as you’re sucked into the story. The music becomes the soundtrack to the world you’re living in. That fan structure I mentioned earlier becomes a huge part of the story. It helps with the visuals, but it is also used as a communication device, displaying instructions and projecting the instructor/narrator. It’s incredible technology that really helps set their production apart from others. Everything was over the top, but that’s what made this show special.
There is still plenty of time to attend a Demonstration, as Starset is touring the world well into the end of 2024. I recommend not spoiling the fun and avoiding any videos of their show before attending. Videos do not do this production justice, and when watched out of context, they almost don’t make sense. Attend a Demonstration of the Starset Society and see for yourself.
