By Chloe Morris
Making waves in the pop scene and ready to take on the mainstream, singer-songwriter Benjamin Steer is a rising voice who is quickly becoming one to watch. Selling out every single date on his first headline tour, his authenticity will win you over if his discography doesn’t – but I’d be really surprised if it doesn’t. After picking up a guitar to find a new hobby, it’s clear to see after attending his Bristol show at the Exchange, that this is something much more.
After arriving at the venue just in time to catch North-East support act Dolder, the room was already full and humming with excitement. Dolder are a wholesome dynamic duo made up of identical twins Dani and Zara. Their raw and emotive lyricism, paired with their soft and warm vocals that blend seamlessly together, had me instantly hooked. A highlight was their new single, Sleeping Pills – its relatable backstory and memorable melody make it a great track that encapsulates their overall sound and aesthetic as musicians.
Up next was Ben himself, who kicked off his set with By My Love, which pulled an upbeat energy into the room and set the tone for the rest of the evening. His vocals give off a likeness to Tom Grennan, but he makes the sound his own through a softer pop focus. His running beats and rich guitar strings, mixed with his memorable lyrics, really make it impossible to ignore his refreshing sound. A highlight track of mine was Trophy, which has a great pace and addictive drums, and really thrived in a live setting.
Taking moments in between songs, Steer would talk to the audience and get them involved as much as he could. One instance was when he got everybody to sing happy birthday to a member of the crowd, even taking the time to address her by name after meeting her before the show. Also worth mentioning, Ben got into the audience to sing an acoustic version of Muted Colours, where beforehand, he opened up about how he took a leap into the music industry. This acoustic version, along with the brief moments of vulnerability, added a great contrast to the higher-energy, full-band segments.
Steer also appeared very comfortable on stage. He cracked a few jokes in between what could’ve been awkward pauses and came across as naturally charismatic at various points, whether that was when he shared what a song was written about or expressed his gratitude to everyone who was in attendance. He seemed to be enjoying the show as much as the crowd did.
As the night came to a close, Ben briefly stepped off stage before coming back to perform No One Wants to Die Alone for an encore, which was a fantastic opportunity for one last dance, with its building beat leading into the catchy chorus.
To conclude, Benjamin Steer is an artist who is ready to find his wider audience. His unforgettable pop sound will leave a long-lasting impression, and his mix of vulnerability and infectious pop songwriting makes him an artist worth keeping an eye on.
Photography & Text Copyright 2026 © Chloe Morris/ADRENALINE Magazine.
Chloe McLelland 
Alisha Lawton 
Alexandra Pullen