The Beast Goes On A Starbender In North London!

Review: Starbenders, Support Electron & Dead Writers

The Dome, London – June 12^th, 2026

Reviewer / Photographer – Phil Honley

Starbenders returned to the venue where I first saw them two years ago, downstairs at The Dome in Tufnell Park, London. The gig kicked off bang on schedule with the first of the nights support bands.

London based but hailing from Portugal, metal band Electron hit the stage with new single ‘Trap’ and gave us a powerful thirty minutes of high tempo metal. This got everyone in the mood for what the night had in store.

Setlist:

Trap
Burning Inside
Echoes Of A Dying World
Burn It Down
Lie To Me
Toxic
You Betray
Break Me!

Next up we had another London based band, Dead Writers, a band that I was looking forward to seeing. Classed as a ‘Dark Romantic Rock’ band they certainly had the gothic look with frontman and primary songwriter Paul Shine. These guys also kicked off their short set with the band’s current single ‘Meet The Shadow’.

Setlist:

Meet The Shadow
Perfect Portrait
The Waves Of Time
Among Spirits
She’s All The Animals

Finally it’s time for tonight’s headliners, all the way from Atlanta Georgia, glam rockers Starbenders. Formed back in 2013 by singer and guitarist Kimi Shelter and bassist Aaron Lecesne. Kriss Tokaji on guitar has been with the band since inception but drummer Qi Wei replaced original drummer Emily Moon in 2024.

The new album ‘The Beast Goes On‘ (review here) is their best yet, and with the tour going under the name of said album we were going to hear many of these tracks live here tonight. The band entered to speakers blasting ‘O Fortuna’, adding to the atmosphere.