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Published Thursday, September 01, 2005 by seanlmccarthy | E-mail this post

FREE STELLASTARR*: Just got home from a free concert by Stellastarr* at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge, thanks to corporate sponsor Smirnoff and radio partner WFNX. We got there around 8:30 p.m. to ensure our entry, although I don't think they turned anyone away, and opening act The Information didn't start until 10 p.m. The audience mostly behaved. Mostly. During Stellastarr's set, one guy ambled onstage, waved to the crowd, then put his arm around the bass player before hugging her and making a mess of things. Why no one tried to stop this is unknown. Singer Shawn had the quick wit to reference the Smirnoff ads by saying, "That's not drinking responsibly," then drew cheers from the crowd by suggesting, "Why don't we take him out back and kick the s*** out of him." Otherwise, Stellastarr* sounded great, playing a bunch of new songs. They return to Boston on Oct. 7 with a date at the Paradise Rock Club. Mark your calendars.