Review: Stereophonics, Wolverhampton Civic Hall
It may have had something to do with the fact that their home nation had achieved a monumental rugby victory against England just hours earlier, but Welsh rockers Stereophonics had fire in their belly and a powerful performance of their own which rocked Wolverhampton Civic to its core.
The sell-out crowd could almost forgive euphoric frontman Kelly Jones for his little dig, which came right at the end of the near-on two hour set – when he reminded them of the thrashing while telling them where they could stick their chariots.
Because Jones and co had the Black Country crowd like putty in their hands from the very start, delivering a blistering set which showcased their new album Graffiti on a Train as well as plenty of their old favourites.
For a band more used to big arena and stadium tours – and they've just announced dates for one later this year – they chose the relatively intimate venue of the Civic to show off their latest material. No wonder the tickets were snapped up in minutes.
They sensibly provided a mix of new and old – opening with We Share the Same Sun, from the new album, before launching into the punchy classics Bartender and the Thief and A Thousand Trees.
The new album was well received with both the title track and their new single Indian Summer going down a treat before the band belted out the fast and fabulous Vegas Two Times.
The bluesy Been Caught Cheating, also from the new album, is another track which is given a warm welcome from the crowd.
The 'Phonics could do no wrong with every track – more than 20 of them - packing a punch and Jones' gravelly voice sounding as strong as it has ever been. For the encore, it was back to the new material with the ballad No-One's Perfect, before the catchy Have a Nice Day and their addictive anthem Dakota.
Great gig in a great venue - and for those who missed out this time round they'll be back in the Midlands on November 19 when their big venue tour comes to Birmingham's LG Arena.
The Six Nations success was not the only Welsh victory on Saturday. Stereophonics were also in a league of their own.
Maria Cusine
