Dave Sweetmore - 17th October

Its three years since Stereophonics last toured, and last week the band announced their biggest ever UK and Ireland stadium tour which will take place in 2025.

Since forming in 1992 in the small Welsh former coal mining village Cwmaman, near Aberdare, the band have become one of the biggest and best rock bands ever from the UK, credibly gaining a reputation as one of the all-time great British bands. From 1997's 'Word Gets Around' debut album, which has to be one of the greatest debut albums ever, until the 2022 'Oochya' album, Stereophonics have released 12 studio albums, eight of which went to number one, one live album, and numerous singles, including 11 of which made the top ten.

A lot of the band's songs have become some of the greatest anthems of all time around the world over the years. A new album is promised and due to be released before the tour, and next year's live dates have been announced as the 'Stadium Anthems' tour, with lead singer Kelly Jones promising to fit in as many of the band's hits and fan favourites into the setlist as possible. The tour will be starting on June 5^th in Belfast at Belsonic, the band will then play at Dublin's St Anne's Park on June 6th, Virgin Media Park in Cork on June 7th, followed by The John Smith's Stadium in Huddersfield on June 14th, Glasgow's Bellahouston Park on June 28th, London's Finsbury Park on July 4th, ending with two huge gigs in the Welsh capital Cardiff, when they play the Principality Stadium on July 11th and 12th.

They will also be headlining next year's Isle Of Wight Festival.  Consisting of original founding members Kelly Jones and Richard Jones, and long serving members Adam Zindani and Jamie Morrison, Stereophonics are one of the most iconic British bands of all time, and there is no doubt they have become the biggest rock and roll band ever from Wales, and long may it continue. They are an amazing live band with a super cool frontman and I honestly believe with their songs, music, and outstanding shows, they will become the next Rolling Stones for longevity and importance in British music and culture.