Stereophonics Dazzle 50,000 at Finsbury Park with Career-Spanning, Hit-Packed Set
- Alan Bryce
- Jul 8
- 3 min read
Finsbury Park, London – 4th July 2025
WORDS ALAN BRYCE
Stereophonics, formed in the early 1990s by childhood friends Kelly Jones, Richard Jones, and the late Stuart Cable, solidified their identity with a 1996 record deal and a strong debut, Word Gets Around (1997), which reached number six in the UK. Their breakthrough came with Performance and Cocktails (1999), launching them to mainstream fame. After releasing two more albums, Cable departed and was replaced by Javier Weyler, with whom they released the chart-topping Language. Sex. Violence. Other (2005), featuring their first UK number one single, “Dakota.” Adam Zindani joined during the Pull the Pin (2007) tour, and Jamie Morrison later replaced Weyler in 2012 ahead of Graffiti on the Train. Since then, the lineup of Kelly, Richard, Adam, and Jamie has released five more albums, with nine total UK number ones. In 2025, the band embarked on the No Hit Left Behind tour, focused on their hits rather than new material, followed by the Stereophonics Stadium Anthems tour across the UK and Europe.
On 4th July, the tour reached Finsbury Park in London—a venue renowned for hosting legendary performances. The band played to an electrified crowd of 50,000 fans, delivering a powerful and unforgettable show. The setlist spanned 11 of their 13 albums, opening with “Vegas Two Times,” followed by crowd favourites “I Wanna Get Lost with You” and “Have a Nice Day,” with the audience singing along to every word. The energy continued to build with hits like “Superman,” “Maybe Tomorrow,” and “Local Boy in the Photograph,” before the first half concluded with the high-octane “C’est la Vie” and “The Bartender and the Thief.”
During “C’est la Vie,” large pink balloons emblazoned with the words “Laugh,” “Cry,” and “Wait” were released into the crowd—an eye-catching nod to the new album. After a brief interlude, Kelly returned to the stage for an acoustic segment, performing a moving rendition of “Step on My Old Size Nines” and the timeless “Handbags and Gladrags.” The encore included a stirring performance of “Traffic,” and a surprise addition, “A Thousand Trees,” which wasn’t listed on the original setlist. The night ended with their iconic hit “Dakota,” as the crowd’s vocals soared over the band’s, creating a euphoric finale.
Having seen Stereophonics perform multiple times, I can confidently say they never fail to impress. They consistently deliver the songs fans love and give their all on stage. This show was no exception. Backed by talented touring musicians Tony Kirkham and Gavin Fitzjohn, the band delivered a seamless, dynamic performance. Kelly’s signature gravelly vocals and masterful guitar playing, paired with his engaging stories between songs, brought an intimate, personal touch to the grand spectacle.
In a time when many bands are vocal about politics during their sets, Stereophonics chose to let the music speak for itself, offering the audience a true escape and a chance to celebrate together. The crowd was a vibrant mix of long-time devotees and new fans, and everyone left on a high. The Finsbury Park concert was a masterclass in live performance—raw, emotional, and full of energy—leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. The band continues to grow stronger with every show, and with an arena tour announced for later this year, I’m already counting down the days to see them live again. It was truly an exceptional evening.
SET LIST
Vegas Two Times
I Wanna Get Lost With You
Have a Nice Day
There's Always Gonna Be Something
Just Looking
Do Ya Feel My Love
Pick a Part That's New
Seems Like You Don't Know Me
Superman
Geronimo (with “Heartbreaker” riff by Led Zeppelin)
Maybe Tomorrow
Local Boy in the Photograph
I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio (Kelly solo on ukelele into full band)
Mr. Writer
Mr and Mrs Smith (Drum solo)
Fly Like an Eagle
Graffiti on the Train
C'est la vie
The Bartender and the Thief
Encore:
Step on My Old Size Nines
Handbags and Gladrags
Traffic
A Thousand Trees
Dakota
FOLLOW STEREOPHONICS
Comments