Before Starset began, the screen read, “Download the Starset app from your store for an augmented reality experience at the top of this demonstration.” From the start, it was clear Starset’s show was more than a show, just like Starset is more than just a band.

The rock band from Ohio brought what they refer to as a “demonstration” on March 6th to the Regent Theater in downtown Los Angeles. The demonstration was a lot of lights, smoke and loudness, ultimately illuminated by the interactive app, which projects space-like visuals. It made its mark in an effort to spread a message about science and technology and its potential effects on society now and in the future.

90 seconds before the start, the screen switched to a countdown. At 10 seconds, the crowd chanted along: “10….9…8….” There was a buzzing hum and then a sudden explosion matched by a flood white light. The band entered and, even on a Tuesday night, the crowd roared.  The drummer and strings section played behind the screen, sometimes being covered by visuals, sometimes being framed by neon colors. Guitarist Brock Richards and bassist Ron DeChant flanked frontman Dustin Bates’ sides. The band donned what appeared to be jetpack-like gear that glowed on their chest, with a futuristic, astronaut-like mask that glowed.

Starset appropriately opened with “Satellite” from 2017s Vessels. Bates laid the evening’s narrative: “Darkening skies, coming this way. Falling behind, into nothing. But if you lead, I’ll follow.” They followed with “Frequency” and “Gravity to You.” Richards and DeChant mouthed the words from behind their masks, staring into the crowd with grins as if they were casting a spell.

Bates mostly did not wear a mask like the rest of Starset, often not under a direct spotlight. This, however, did not dilute his noticeable-ness. You wanted to see where the powerhouse voice was coming from, whether pacing the stage or crouched over an amp for some death growling. After the first few songs, Bates said, “Welcome to tonight’s demonstration.” “Last to Fall” played in with an extended violin introduction, a momentarily smooth moment before the punching chorus. The imagery of deserts, forests and a beach with a girl laying on the sand transitioned behind.

About halfway through the set, Bates questioned the crowd: “So, for how many of you is this your very first demonstration?” There are cheers, no less, and Bates continued to explain Starset’s purpose. They finish “It Has Begun,” then Bates said, “You know this one.” A fleeting creeping of the violin switched for some heavy guitars and they rocked out to “Carnivore.”

“This is our very first legitimate North American headlining tour,” Bates said. He thanked the audience for coming out on a Tuesday night, cueing the mellow moment of the evening to sing “Telepathic” and “Starlight.” Green lasers shot out into the theater and images of dusk glowed on the screens. Not to forget that this was a rock show, Starset followed with “Unbecoming,” “Ricochet” and “Down with the Fallen.”

Technically, Starset had an encore. They exited the stage, but not for long. Bates stormed back, calling out the superficialness in having the crowd chant for the band to come back to play more: “We’re not gonna do that and just play some more songs. How does that sound?” He then asked, “Los Angeles, do you want to hear something heavy?” And the night had been filled with hardcore songs, but Starset’s performance of “Bringing It Down” stepped it up. Smoke flared and lights flashed so aggressively that it was almost hard to look at for extended periods of time, but in the best way possible. “We’ve got one more song for you,” he said before closing with “My Demons,” the wild lights and smoke continued. Bates even came down into the crowd for part of the song, who he thanked at song’s end. The band bowed and exited for the final time. Static hummed as “Signal Lost” flashed in green on the screen, indicating the true end of the demonstration.

Set List

1. Satellite
2. Frequency
3. Gravity to You
4. Last to Fall
5. Die for You
6. Point of No Return
7. Telescope
8. It Has Begun
9. Carnivore
10. Telepathic
11. Starlight
12. Monster
13. Unbecoming
14. Ricochet
15. Down with the Fallen
16. Bringing It Down
17. My Demons

Photo Credit: Mauricio Alvarado