On a baking hot night in Cardiff, it was fitting that Stereophonics delivered a fired up performance that raised the temperature even higher. Part of the bands Stadium Anthems tour, this was a show that was literally packed full of anthems, with Kelly Jones & co serving up a career spanning set that included songs from twelve of the bands thirteen studio albums. With the theme from cult movie The Warriors providing the intro, Stereophonics burst onto the stage with the pounding ‘Vegas Two Times’. Fitting in twenty-six songs across a little over two hours ensured there was little time for band or audience to pause for breath, and with ‘Have a Nice Day’ just the third song in, all of the crowd were soon out of their seats and singing and dancing along. Make no mistake, this was all killer, no filler.
The Principality Stadium and Stereophonics share a history that goes back to 2001, and whenever they play here a special night is very much guaranteed. Newer track ‘There’s Always Gonna Be Something’ encouraged everyone to just be in the moment, and the blend of beautifully crafted mid-tempo ballads and polished up-tempo rockers kept the audience enthralled. ‘Maybe Tomorrow’, ‘Mr. Writer’ and ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ were greeted like long lost friends, the latter including a thumping drum coda from Jamie Morrison. The pace dropped a little when Kelly dusted off his ukulele (apparently a gift from bassist Richard Jones), and reminisced about touring with David Bowie, before leading into ‘I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio’.
Pyrotechnics and dazzling visuals combined with the raw rock energy of ‘C’est la vie’ and ‘The Bartender and the Thief’, the two rockers providing a memorable ending to the main set. Kelly then returned to the stage alone for a three song acoustic set that was simply flawless, taking in ‘Step on My Old Size Nines’, ‘It Means Nothing’ and, inevitably, ‘Handbags and Gladrags’. Re-joined by the rest of the band, a thrilling end to a brilliant gig was provided by ‘A Thousand Trees’ and ‘Dakota’, two songs that the crowd will always demand. An explosive night that cemented their reputation as one of the best live bands around, this was a celebratory homecoming that neither band nor audience will forget anytime soon.
Setlist:-
Vegas Two Times
I Wanna Get Lost With You
Have a Nice Day
There’s Always Gonna Be Something
Just Looking
Pick a Part That’s New
Do Ya Feel My Love
Seems Like You Don’t Know Me
More Life in a Tramp’s Vest
Superman
Geronimo
Maybe Tomorrow
Local Boy in the Photograph
I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio
Mr. Writer
Mr and Mrs Smith
Fly Like an Eagle
Graffiti on the Train
C’est la vie
The Bartender and the Thief
Step on My Old Size Nines
It Means Nothing
Handbags and Gladrags
Traffic
A Thousand Trees
Dakota
