The Stars has been played on NTS shows including The Big Happy Show, with Best Friend first played on 7 October 2021.

The Stars is a Japanese psychedelic rock band (not to be confused with several other bands named Stars, without the article). It was formed around the year 2000, in Tokyo, by guitarist Michio Kurihara, (栗原ミチオ), vocalist You Ishihara, bassist Chiyo Kamekawa, and drummer Ken Ishihara, all ex-members of the band White Heaven. The band hasn't released any new material since 2005's critically acclaimed album Perfect Place to Hideaway.

Band members (as of 2005): You Ishihara (vocals), ex-White Heaven Michio Kurihara (栗原ミチオ) (guitars), ex-Ghost, ex-Ai Aso,…