Tag: Stereophonics

Review: Stereophonics at Sheffield Arena.

As a music lover, it’s safe to say that I’d give my right arm to be in a famous band…although maybe that wouldn’t then be overly practical. You know what I mean though, right? And when Stereophonics take to the stage in Sheffield tonight and Kelly Jones strides down the catwalk that stretches out into the crowd, all leather jacket and cool quiff, that feeling is amplified x 10, if you’ll pardon the pun.

Some lucky people just exude cool and Jones has always had it. So tonight, as the band kick things off with a raucous ‘Vegas Two Times’… it’s difficult not to focus on just him.

But this is much more than just the Kelly Jones show. The staging is superb, with big screens and graphics combining with an audience cam – briefly featuring me and Mrs C stood either side of an Amazonian giant of a young woman – and even the occasional lyric being projected behind the band. This means that your eyes are everywhere while the rest of you is busy getting pretty much blown away by the sound.

The early part of the set features a series of singalong Stereophonics’ classics and tonight’s crowd don’t fail to indulge, meaning that, despite the fact that this could just be regarded as a soulless a 15,000 capacity concrete bowl, the energy is palpable. This is a band well versed at playing this size of venue and then some and it’s a great start to the gig.

In the middle of the set is a mighty version of ‘Geronimo’, featuring a bit more catwalk action and some rock and roll superstar poses. This is then followed a few songs later by the welcome return of raucous early classic, ‘More Life In A Tramp’s Vest’ before the frenzy is calmed with the unlikely appearance of Kelly playing a ukelele version – or at least the start of a version – of ‘I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio’.

Later in the set it’s ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ that has the crowd singing along before an excellent version of the altogether more soulful ‘Fly Like An Eagle’. And then it’s time for the final song of the first part of the set and a thunderous rendition of ‘The Bartender And The Thief’ which leaves everyone in the crowd hungry for more.

For the encore, there’s ‘100MPH’, ‘Traffic’ ‘C’est la vie’ and then an almighty version of fan favourite ‘Dakota’. A brilliant ending to a brilliant gig. On a cold and windy December night in Sheffield, Stereophonics have proven once again that they can warm any room right up!

Middle Aged Gigging: Stereophonics at John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield.

A funny one this gig. Beforehand, I was slightly reticent about going and not for the usual reason of being middled aged and living life in an almost permanent state of tiredness. No, this was different. This was a stadium gig and I really couldn’t remember the last time I’d been to a gig in a stadium. In fact, if anything I’ve been going to gigs in smaller and smaller venues of late. I needn’t have worried so much though, as first Blossoms and then headliners Stereophonics served up a cracking night that may well have taken the roof off the place if it actually had one!

The first time I saw Stereophonics live was around 1996, before their first album came out in what was a glorified pub in Hanley, Stoke-on Trent and it still amazes me to see what they’ve become. Don’t get me wrong; they’ve always had the songs and talent to deserve to be selling out stadiums, but it’s a hell of a leap from those early days!

Tonight, we arrive (fashionably) later than planned and after a mix up over stage times, realise that we’ve missed the first support act. In fact, we’re still trying to get into the stadium as the night’s other support, Blossoms, take to the stage. So, while I’m a big fan of their song ‘Your Girlfriend’ it’s difficult to enjoy it while your being squeezed through a small gap to get into a stadium and then precariously edging down some stairs towards the pitch. Tricky to sing along to when you’re trying not to take an almighty tumble!

Blossoms look and sound great though. Singer Tom looks amazing in flared jeans, striped shirt a loose tie and there’s more than a little bit of Mick Jagger about him. Tonight, he also brings to mind Faces era Rod Stewart and even a little bit of Prince at times, which is surely no bad thing?

Their set is superb and songs like ‘Gary’, ‘I Like Your Look’ and ‘Charlemaine’ have the whole stadium grooving along. It’s a great start to our night and the perfect set up for the main event.

After a quick set change Stereophonics amble on to the stage to a great welcome. There’s the odd wave from the band, but it’s a pretty low key entrance. And before we know it we’re into opener ‘Vegas Two Times’ and it feels like the whole place is up and moving. It’s a great track to open with.

This being a ‘Stadium Anthems’ tour there’s plenty to enjoy. Lots of singalong anthems and lots to make even the most curmudgeonly and dancephobic music fan (that’s not me, by the way) shuffle their feet. And singer Kelly Jones looks the epitome of cool in shades, black jeans and a black leather jacket. Oh, to be a rock god!

Stereophonics prove themselves to be as tight as it gets and this is just a brilliant rock and roll show. The visual production – in the form of screens – is pretty good; videos accompanying some of the songs and the odd bit of pyrotechnics as well as some massive pink balloons sent out into the crowd later on in the set as night falls. However, it’s the music that counts here; a stand alone reason to come and see the band.

Singer Kelly Jones has always been renowned for his incredible voice and it doesn’t let him down tonight as he’s absolutely note perfect throughout. My fears about a stadium show are quickly allayed as Stereophonics fill the place with a great big dollop of good old rock and roll. There are the usual irritations about this kind of show – people barging through to get closer to the stage when ‘their song’ comes on, people chatting – but none of it manages to get in the way of this being an excellent gig. Stereophonics do indulge in the odd bit of rock posturing, the odd pose here, a showbiz point or wink there, but then maybe they’ve earned the right to call on the odd cliche having sold over 15m records! It certainly doesn’t spoil anything for me, anyway.

There’s barely a dull moment tonight. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a set of stadium anthems so you’d have to be a fairly miserable fan of the band to not be enjoying what’s on offer. For me though the standout tracks are ‘Geronimo’ complete with it’s enormous saxophone (a baritone sax, I think?), ‘I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio’ with Kelly on ukelele, ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ and ‘Mr. Writer’.

As we edge towards a close – and my knees and feet begin to grumble – we’re treated to the ever brilliant ‘Local Boy in The Photograph’ and ‘C’est La Vie’ before an encore comprising of blistering versions of ‘The Bartender and The Thief’ and ‘Dakota’. Stadium anthems indeed!

As they exit stage left, Stereophonics leave behind a very happy bunch of Yorkshire punters. It’s been a brilliant night and a gig and band well worth coming out for. Makes me think that I shouldn’t leave it as long between shows next time!