Stereophonics @ LG Arena – Tuesday 19th November 2013
Prior to Stereophonics taking to the stage, a number of videos are played including Kasabian and Red Hot Chili Peppers but the most interesting is the choice of The Kills track U R A Fever which sees dry ice released over the crowd. As the arena goes dark, the sound of a helicopter blares through the speakers and the band take to the stage kicking the night off with Catacomb. As the song proceeds, pink dry ice is released from the sides of the stage enveloping the band as they play. Kelly Jones’ first words to the near sell out audience are “Let’s have a fucking party”, as they launch into Local Boy in a Photograph which is received with excessive applause and singing, pretty good going for the second song in.
I haven’t seen the Stereophonics live for nearly fifteen years and, clearly, they are far more comfortable in such a large venue now with the addition of various lighting techniques, use of effects on the live camera feed and movement around the vast stage. With the title track of their new album, Graffiti on the Train, sees the Stereophonics move into a darker and moodier zone that demonstrates Jones’ vocal abilities whose gruff qualities sound better live than they do on record. Throughout the performance, Kelly Jones makes reference to his gig going and gig playing events in Birmingham including the legendary Jug of Ale and coming to the old NEC arena to see the likes of AC/DC and Van Halen. The next section of the set consisted of the band’s greatest hits including A Thousand Trees, More Life in a Tramp’s Vest and I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio, all of which have the crowd singing along particularly when Jones hands the vocal lead over at the end of Maybe Tomorrow. A single taken from the new album, In a Moment, starts with a gritty riff that drives the song and this sombre side is reflected in the video which is also directed by Kelly Jones.
The atmosphere is lightened with the upbeat Indian Summer which sees giant balloons released upon the audience and end up occupying the security guards and keeping them entertained especially when the burst and unleash golden ticker tape. The five piece band competently power through the catchy and slightly nauseating Have a Nice Day returning to the melancholy vibe with the beautifully sullen Violins and Tambourines. The set finished with rousing Bartender and the Thief which sees the crowd moving and includes a brief Ace of Spades reference and a mass ticker tape fest. The band exit to ecstatic applause but as the house lights are not raised it is evident that they will return in a short space of time. With the addition of an upright piano on stage, the band reappear and Jones takes a seat at the piano and explains the motivation for the next song, including a cheeky comment to a female member of the audience, which leads into I Stopped to Fill My Car Up. This was definitely the best song of the night and as it built up towards the end of the track, Jones leaves the piano to join local lad Adam Zidani on guitar, playing a duet which is reminiscent of Aerosmith in the 1970’s.
The encore continues with Just Looking that has everyone clapping and singing followed by the Stereophonics famous cover of The Faces Handbags and Gladrags. The evening is completed with a stirring delivery of Dakota, and looking at the faces of the audience all seem very satisfied with the performance and the tweets afterwards were extremely positive. Undoubtedly, the Stereophonics are a talented band who write music that is popular with a vast number of people, but, for me, I just find them musically too safe. Considering Jones’ rock influences, I wish they would push the boundaries more and explore other avenues as his voice is incredible and could create some chokingly beautiful blues tracks. However, the music that he generates now appeals to so many that he is obviously doing something right for the masses,it just doesn’t rock my world.
Review by Toni Woodward
Photographs by Steve Roche