LIVE FROM THE PIT: I See Stars and The Hara

Every once in a while there comes an act that hasn’t had the chance to come to the UK despite being around for a while, meaning that for both the artist and the fans alike, the show is incredibly special. This is exactly the show that I See Stars just played at The Underworld in London. The Michigan band were formed in 2006 and apart from a small opening slot in 2024 haven't played a London show since 2013. Fans in the crowd had been waiting over a decade to see them and all of the energy was unleashed in the duration of this set, with of course a few surprises just for these shows.

First to warm up the stage, arriving with bass you could feel in your bones and rapid flashing lights, The Hara. This trio from Manchester have also been in the scene for some time, having released their first EP in 2018 and played many shows supporting the likes of Sum 41, Ice Nine Kills and Escape the Fate.

As the band waltzed on and immediately rocked the entire venue, lead vocalist Josh took a moment to explain that they are using this show as a warm-up to ‘get the rust off’ for the year that they have lined up for themselves. Their music contained mainly alternative metal with elements from all different genres and an overall message of self-love and acceptance.

Lead vocalists Josh’s fry screams were something to behold as well as impressive solo sections from Zach and Jack - Guitarist and drummer respectively. Although the crowd was tough to get moving, The Hara certainly achieved exactly that by getting the whole pit to participate in mosh pits, circle pits and even a wall of death which Josh joined himself.

The floor of The Underworld slowly packed out, and then the balcony all the way to the corridor, every person shuffling to try and get a satisfactory view of the spectacle that was about to take place.

I See Stars came parading onto the stage to an eruption of cheers, opening with ‘Running With Scissors’ from their latest album, Treehouse. The entire venue instantly detonated into moshing and jumping, every single fan screaming the lyrics so loud it was almost hard to hear the band themselves. Lead vocalist Devin Oliver, sporting his recent signature sparkly mesh shirt and bleach blonde hair.

With each tune that started the crowd got louder and rowdier from a seemingly endless supply of power. The band made this show extra special by throwing in some deep cuts just for these long times fans that had waited so patiently. This included the song ‘Filth Friends Unite’ from their 2012 album ‘Digital Renegade’, which got an explicitly loud reception.

There is no denying the bands star qualities as they rocked the stage, their experience serves them well and leaves every person infactuated in their performance. Each member of the band interacting with fans, with eachother whilst simultaneously maintaining their stable sound and welding their instruments flawlessly. Devin getting down on his knees multiple times to sing face to face with fans that were lucky enough to secure the front row.

While those in the front sung with everything they had the fans in the back continued to mosh and jumping every starting circle pits, crowd surfing and stage diving, this show really had it all. The music bringing everyone in the room together with themes of feeling different, addiction, being in love and being young, each person finding a way to connect it to their own stories.

The band promised to return to London as often as they can having seen how grateful the crowd was and the energy they were rewarded with. The Underworld was also lucky enough to receive the news that the band will be releasing a brand new record this summer!

As the show came to a close and the band played one of their more recent singles ‘Anomaly’ Devin reached into the crowd as far as he could to connect and hold hands with every fan he could. It's abundantly clear how much love the fans have for the band and the band has for their fans, the type of connection that seems to be getting rarer in these recent times.

I See Stars have an incredible 2025 lined up ahead of them with shows in festivals in Germany, a tour in Oceania and Asia and of course a brand new record on the horizon. Be sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled for the greatness these guys still have ahead of them!

Words: Amy Smyth

Photos: Emily Champion