Welsh rockers Stereophonics have a busy touring schedule ahead, but that didn't stop them from surprising fans with three additional U.K. shows in anticipation of their jam-packed summer.
The band– consisting of members Kelly Jones (vocals), Richard Jones (bass), Adam Zindani (rhythm guitar), Tony Kirkham (keys) and Jamie Morrison (drums)– are known for songs "Dakota," "Handbags and Gladrags," "Graffiti on a Train" and "Have a Nice Day."
Stereophonics' most recent release, 2019's "Chaos From the Top Down," is the band's first new material since 2017's Scream Above The Sound.
In an interview, Jones said the single is sung from the "imagined perspective of a 15-year-old boy laying in the road after being shot." He continued:
"He’s reflecting in his time of dying about his life and the choices he made through the lack of options and opportunities he felt he had in today’s Britain,” he continued. “It also touches on the tags and labels that have been stuck on him. The stereotypes and clichés that were placed on him. It’s based on a true story that happened just outside my street. It’s happening everywhere. I’ve always written about what’s going on around me or within me since ‘Local Boy In The Photograph’ in 1996. It doesn’t fit into the style of the album I’m writing and the current political climate inspired me to release it now."
The band's three "warm up" shows– their words, not ours!– at Leicester's De Montfort Hall, Hull's Bonus Arena and Llandudno's Venue Cymru Arena precede their previously announced summer gigs and frontman Kelly Jones' solo stint.
Check out the highlights so far!
May 21 – De Montfort Hall, Leicester
The band brought all they had to De Montfort Hall on Tuesday night, performing a 20-song setlist with a three-song encore of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "Dakota" and a live debut of "Chaos From the Top Down."
They kicked off the night with "C'est La Vie" and pulled material from all of their albums, including Keep the Village Alive, Scream Above the Sounds and Just Enough Education to Perform.
Check out the band's performance of "Sunny" below!
May 22 – Bonus Arena, Hull
Stereophonics kept up the energy night two, performing a nearly identical setlist before closing out with the same encore.
They had the whole arena singing along with them... check out the fan videos below of "Maybe Tomorrow" and "Local Boy in the Photograph."
It's not too late to buy tickets to night three at Venue Cymru in Wales on May 24... visit the band's website for ticket information and upcoming tour dates.
