Allow me to set the scene:

It was Friday, January 2nd, 2009. As I got myself up and out of bed, I began to muse upon the fallibility of scheduling a night out so early into the new year – especially after what was always going to be one hell of a celebration barely two days ago. Still – and despite my body screaming incessantly to give up, stay home and settle for the couch – I moved myself onto the train, into Richmond, and finally into one of my favorite live venues, The Corner Hotel, as I psyched myself up to see indie-rock outfit Stars. The first thing that I noted was the immediate and apparent fact that the place was far from crowded. The show hadn’t sold out, and, perhaps, with good reason: as you may know, suburbs away, Fleet Foxes were gearing up to play the Prince Bandroom. And, unsurprisingly, most punters were there. My friends were there. Hell, I would have liked to have been there. But instead, I made the commitment long ago, not to mention the effort that very same night, to see a band that had captured my interest for many long years. And as you’ll no doubt find throughout my review, my effort was anything but wasted.

Newcastle band Firekites were the supports for the evening, and they played to a consistent, warm reception from the crowd. Its easy to see why: their appeal is rooted, generally, in what one might like about Stars. Their sound is very much at times brooding mood music, with alternating male/female vocals, complete with harmonies. They closed with single Same Suburb Different Park, their strongest song, and you got the feeling that they might be onto something. However, as the crowd finally began to build, you go the sense that It was, perhaps, a burden to Firekites, to support a band who does what they do with much better success.

Soon, it was Canadian five-piece Stars that graced The Corner stage, and they were certainly quick to show their love for a similarly appreciative crowd, throwing roses – red and white – into a sea of outstretched arms and hands. Fittingly, the band began their set with The Night Starts Here, followed by fan-favourite Take Me To The Riot, which made known Stars’ agenda from the outset: they were here to treat us all to a truly special start to the year. And treat us they would, with front-members Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan combining for sweet pitch-perfect harmonies from song to song, as the set showcased the band’s talents on everything from brass to keys (a melodica made more than one appearance). Stars played from releases from right across their career, including tracks from their newly released EP Sad Robots, indicating not only the rich diversity of the back catalogue, but also an exciting sign of things to come. Perhaps most impressive was the band’s set list, crafted to perfection: slowing the tempo when the night demanded it, and rocking out when the crowd called for it.

All was running smoothly, but before the band could continue, Campbell engaged the crowd on an intimate level, with an apology for Pyramid Rock. Only days earlier, they had exited the festival stage early due to some unruly crowd behaviour. Interestingly, it was here that Campbell revealed that Stars had only twice ever in their career cut a set short, and both times had been during tours Down Under. He made no hesitations in noting, however, with great satisfaction, that the second shows played here have been some of the best of the bands career – a declaration met with rapturous applause from the Corner crowd. And, happily, he wasn’t wrong. The hits continued, including rocky Ageless Beauty, and the beautiful Your Ex-Lover Is Dead, and the night culminated in a brother, a sister and a birthday girl happily dancing on-stage – also, interestingly, a first for the band. After a series of heartfelt thank yous, and a terrifically long encore, the band left the stage, and in doing so, left the Corner crying out for more.

Its been a length review, but some final words: frontman Campbell, between songs, actually acknowledged that Fleet Foxes were playing elsewhere on the same night, and praised the crowd for attending Stars’ show instead – because, after all, in Campbell’s words, Fleet Foxes are ‘an amazing band’. But let’s be honest: Stars played, essentially, a five-star show. It sure feels odd, and weirdly special to have your friends express you to, in simple terms, that you missed out on Fleet Foxes, only to say to them, ‘No: you missed out on Stars’. Enough said, really.