First onto the stage supporting Eric Martin at the legendary Cart & Horses were Star Circus. This four-piece, led by Dave Winkler and Sophie Aurelia Young, played a fully acoustic set, their first in two and a half years, which really set the stage alight. Their sophomore album, From The Wreckage, is due for release this Friday. With MetalTalk soon to declare it “possibly the melodic rock album of the year”, we were all ears for tonight’s different approach by the band.
Star Circus
Cart & Horses, Stratford – 7 June 2025
Words: Steve Kenton
Photography: Manuela Langotsch
Love Is The Enemy was the opening track of the night. This catchy number featured a rather nice solo from Winkler. This was the very first Star Circus single, so it was a great opener to get the crowd going.
Bridges then followed up. However, there was a moment of levity from the band after a bit of a muffed opening. Dave Winkler explained to the crowd that they were a little nervous. There was, however, no need to be.
The song restarted to a rapturous crowd, with some great vocals, sweet harmonies, and an acoustic bass that sounded smoother than sheet ice. 
Chained To You was the third track of the night. Red lights accentuated the stage presence of the band, particularly Sophie Aurelia Young, who cut a striking figure with her flowing red hair and acoustic bass. The song, which was released as a single last year, featured some really tight drumming and an excellent guitar solo.
The crowd themselves seemed to be completely hypnotised by the band’s performance. There was almost a polite, placid feel to the audience, who were listening to every note, every phrase, and every beat.
Two Odds Make An Even was the most recent single from Star Circus. With lots of high-hat and alternating solos between the two guitarists, this was a real feel-good song, with a ‘let’s get a bit saucy in the back of the car’ vibe to it.
This led to Just Like In A Movie, a catchy, fun number with a light and airy aura surrounding it. The crowd were thoroughly enjoying Star Circus. They are great musicians, and this song was a prime example of a great, crowd-pleasing number.
With the capo firmly placed on Winkler’s guitar, Turn The Tide, with another series of alternating solos, lit up the crowd. Again, the rhythm section was as one. This led to Before the Song and then the final track from the Star Circus set, Save Your Life.
The crowd went mad for this particular track, and rightly so. With a great opening riff and nice chord changes, this one was some good old-fashioned blues rock at its best. It was certainly my favourite song of the night.
You have to take your hat off to Star Circus. They are excellent musicians, and they really do know how to write a good song. Their second album, From The Wreckage, is out on 13 June 2025 and will have its official launch at the Underworld in Camden on 21 June 2025.
If there is any justice in the world of music, From The Wreckage will be a huge success.
