Stereophonics

Welsh rock heroes Stereophonics made a triumphant homecoming to South Wales on Sunday, as the band headlined three sold out shows in Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.
There was an air of anticipation before the Stereophonics emerged on stage at the Motorpoint Arena as part of a new chapter in the band’s career, and they did not disappoint.

Kicking off the show with Catacomb, the crowd responded in rapturous fashion to Kelly Jones’ unique and distinctive voice. The Cwmaman-born singer clearly enjoyed being back in Cardiff encouraging the crowd to sing along to past favorites including Local Boy in the photograph and Superman before launching into a tirade of old hits including ‘A Thousnad Tree’s’, Maybe Tomorrow and the fast pace ‘More Life in a Tramps vest’.
The band’s first single from the new album, ‘Indian Summer’ displayed a new edgier sound and a taste of things to come in the near future. With an extensive back catalogue, Stereophonics got the right mix of old and new songs, which can prove to be rather difficult after the excitement of the opening tracks, the atmosphere did waver slightly as the band performed tracks from Graffiti on the Train.

Without being too heavy, Stereophonics manage to shake the Motorpoint arena, moving from the gentle bluesy country style of 'Been Caught Cheating', to crowd classic 'The Bartender and the Thief' as the set comes to a close. The noise is ridiculous, so without too much delay, they return back to the stage to perform a rare piano-led rendition of ‘Stopped to Fill My Car Up’ which is followed by a mass sing-along for ‘Just Looking’. The night’s most special moment however comes with their now famous rendition of Rod Stewart’s ‘Handbags & Gladrags’, which has become so synonymous with the band over the years that Jones still feels the need to tell fans it’s a cover version. Concluding the evening with ‘Dakota’, the arena erupts as the audience are on their feet cheering and clapping ending the night on absolute high! What an atmosphere!