Rock Regeneration

O2 Academy, Bournemouth,

In what was the one of the busiest nights of the year at Bournemouth’s O2 Academy and the reason was that top Welsh rock band the Stereophonics were in Town for a special one off show as a warm up for a 3 night Christmas run at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London. There are no new releases to promote as their bands last album was 2009 “Keep Calm and Carry On”. The emphasis on the evening was for the band to let their hair down and have some fun. Tonight’s hand picked support was the “Broken Vinyl Club” from Aberdare in South Wales. The four piece strode out on to the stage and confidently performed a set of 60ís inspired material along the lines of iconic 60’s bands such as The Beatles, The Byrds, and The Kinks.

The band impressed the Sell Out crowd with some great tunes including their latest single “One Way Street” which included some great harmonies and the classic jangly style guitar work. The band left the stage have impressed the vast majority of the audience who whole heartedly showed their appreciation in full.

Gallery: 1–2–3–4–5

The atmosphere in this great venue was just one of anticipation, to see a band that headlined a gig at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in 2001 in a venue such as this is an exciting prospect. The lights dimmed and the band take to the stage with the audience giving them a reception the band of this calibre deserve, the stage was bathed in light with two festive multi coloured Christmas trees either side of the stage. Lead singer Kelly Jones takes it all in his stride proceeding to deliver a great set full of highlights, swapping between electric and acoustic guitars performing songs that show off his superbly consistent song writing.

Gallery: 1–2–3–4–5–6

For one couple in the audience it would be a night they will never forget as the chap got down on one knee during “Maybe Tomorrow” and proposed to his girlfriend the answer was of course yes and every one around them cheered as she muttered her answer with a smile of disbelief on her face, a nice touching heart warming moment that the band was completely unaware of. As the evening progressed the audience seemed to get louder with their voices sounding great in this old Opera house, with them singing along at the tops of their voices to the likes of “Have a Nice Day” and “Handbags & Gladrags”. The obligatory encore created a lasting image that many here tonight will never forget, the band performed their two best known songs “Dakota” and “The Bartender & The Thief”, the house lights were on for the majority and looking around every person in the room joined in together in complete unison, a truly great end to what had been a totally brilliant show from a band who are still at the top of their game.

Set List
Madame Helga
More Life In A Tramps Vest
A Thousand Trees
Maybe Tomorrow
Step On My Old Size Nines
Handbags & Gladrags
She’s Alright
Mr Writer
Superman
Vegas Two Times
I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio
Have A Nice Day
Local Boy In The Photograph
Just Looking

The Bartender & The Thief
Dakota

Links
http://www.stereophonics.com
http://www.myspace.com/thebrokenvinylclub

Review By Dave Chinery (Chinners)
Pictures By Alex Freeman.