Starset is one of the most original bands to come to the forefront in recent years. Complete with a back story that increases the curiosity of the audience and a sound that is completely new, Starset is all geared to become the next big thing. They have already garnered a fan base no one could have predicted in advance, and these fans are the reason this group has gone from being a YouTube sensation to performing a headlining North American tour in 2018. That’s right, now you can experience Starset live in various theater and club shows across the country. Starset tickets for these events are available for purchase, so go ahead because this is an experience you wouldn’t want to miss out on!

Formation

Starset is the brainchild of band lead Dustin Bates. Bates is interested in Astronomy, a love fueled by his work in the U.S Air Force and the International Space University. He has created a sci-fi back story for the band; that it is a public outreach initiative created by the Starset Society. This ‘organization’ aims to alert the people of Earth about the contents of a ‘message’ that has been obtained by them from outer space. He also recruited Ron DeChant, Adam Gilbert and Brock Richards in the band and together they have produced two studio albums, Transmissions (2014) and Vessels (2017).

The band members maintain this back story offstage as well, promoting ‘the message’ in interviews and on the PR circuit. They truly are in a league of their own with their expansive, electronics-infusing rock ballads. The band hails from Columbus, Ohio and is expected to become a key player in the music industry.

Transmissions

The band’s debut album is an excellent introduction to what it is all about. Transmissions catalogues the sound that defines Starset. It is a performance piece which includes original music and lyrics. The album recreates the atmosphere and image of outer space by creating expansive, epic music. It is a nod to great composers such as Hans Zimmer and U2. “Point of No Return” and “It Has Begun” are two standout tracks from this album that combine post-grunge guitar riffs and intricate orchestration in order to build anticipation, as though something is coming. This anticipation, in fact, follows through on each of their songs since ‘the Message’ has yet to arrive.

This album was a benchmark in the alternative rock world and encouraged rock group Breaking Benjamin to invite the band on tour with them. Starset played a number of shows with Breaking Benjamin throughout 2015 and became a well known name on the touring circuit during 2015.

Vessels

This is the band’s second album, released in 2017. This record goes deeper into the themes outlined in Transmissions, by exploring the changing dynamics of love, relationships and social structures in a futuristic world. The album opens on a synth-driven track called “Satellites”, with Bates belting; “Satellite, are you here tonight?  / Shine your light and set me free.”

However, there are some tracks on this album that are more general and break away from space imagery. “Die for You” is a big old love ballad. “There’s no pain I won’t go through / Even if I have to die for you” is the recurring pre-chorus in this song, reflective of big romantic gestures. The musical arrangement of this song, however, brings the expansive ‘space’ motif back for the listener and doesn’t detach them from the overarching theme. This is an excellent new album and it has caught the attention of leading progressive rock acts in the business.

Tour

Starset is slowly edging its way into the mainstream with headlining gigs across North America. In 2018, they are not slowing down and have a string of dates across the first half of the year. Starset tickets for these shows are available and you can avail the best deals if you hurry.