Stereophonics @ HQ, Adelaide(13/04/10)

Thu 15th Apr, 2010 in Gig Reviews

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.

First things first, I need to send out a couple of thanks. Firstly, to the band themselves, The Stereophonics. They first toured Adelaide back in the dark ages in 1998 at the Adelaide Uni Bar. That year, they also played the Offshore Festival. Remember that festival? This is their first venture back to the city of churches since then! The second thanks goes out to the fans from Adelaide who made this a sell out show, considering The Stereophonics receive a bit fat ZERO airplay on any radio station.

The band entered the stage to the usual roar of the crowd and was looking rock ‘n’ roll as ever – leather jackets, tight black jeans. No time for hello’s, they were straight into it with new track Live ‘n’ Love off the 2009 album Keep Calm & Carry On and then launching into one of their best tracks 1000 Trees. Sounding just as fresh at it did a dozen years ago.

The Stereophonics have come along way since their last Adelaide tour; not only have they had 5 number one albums in the UK, they are one of the biggest bands in the UK today. Not bad for a band that had about 100 people at this aforementioned Adelaide Uni gig.

Great thing about tonight’s gig was it wasn’t just a greatest hits set, they played many album tracks. They are a band that changes around their set-list, which is great for fans. They mixed in many new album tracks like I Got You Number, Stuck in a Rut and future live classic Uppercut with oldies like the riotous Superman, Pick a Part That’s New and the sing-a-long crowd favourites Maybe Tomorrow and Have a Nice Day.

It was good to see many non-Adelaidians in the crowd with the Welsh flag held high during many of the songs. Local Boy in a Photograph ended the first set and would have been the best version I have heard in the 6 times I have seen them. The power of the track – unfortunately about a boy who died near their Welsh town – takes you to another place.

She’s Alright, The Bar Tender & The Thief complete with the Motorhead Ace of Spades line, and the obvious ender Dakota which would have to go down as one of the best singles on the naughties. Once again, THANK YOU to the Stereophonics for one of the best Tuesday nights in a long time.

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.