Stereophonics have come a long way since they dropped the ‘The’ from the beginning of their name. From being signed up by an agent on the spot of their first gig to performing with Tom Jones, Stereophonics certainly have a lot more in them too. Following on from their 2007 album “Pull the Pin” their tour found them in Auckland last night, performing to a packed rabble on Mother’s Day.

I’m amazed I managed to see a thing, having to compete with not only individuals gifted with the tall gene, but also the individuals gifted with the ability to jump high. I snuck my glances in the gap between a girl’s hair and her neck on the balcony, which offered me fantastic views of the jumping crowd below. You wouldn’t necessarily associate Stereophonics with crazy mosh pitting mobs but certain songs definitely called for it.

Coming out onto the stage, you’d think it was a bright sunny yet nippy day in autumn, as all band members (except drummer Javier Weyler, who later played shirtless) sported leather jackets with lead singer Kelly Jones wearing huge sunnies for the first few songs. Must be all part of the ‘rockstar’ image.

A few ‘oldies’ such as ‘Pick a part that’s new’, ‘Just Looking’ and ‘Thousand Trees’ were mixed with the relatively newer and more commercialised songs such as a collection from their 2005 album, “Language. Sex. Violence. Other”, including Superman, Doorman and Devil and favourite ‘Have a Nice Day’ and ‘Maybe Tomorrow’.

As an encore, Kelly came out all lonesome for an acoustic slow number which unfortunately took a backstage to the commotion created by a crazed fan who was lead out neck first by security. Obviously they left Dakota as their final song, it being their most popular and recognisable song to date (in the Southern Hemisphere, anyway). With the way the audience had been carrying on singing and jumping to other songs however, you’d have no way of knowing that just by gauging the crowd. They were educated, loyal followers who sang along with songs dating back to the early days, unconcerned with popularity or the ‘hits’. However, having said all this, I thought that Dakota was one of the better songs performed live. The ad lib extension on the end gave it another dimension whilst the lighting accentuated the song’s strength.

Despite the admission of a few technical difficulties (known as ‘fuck-ups’ according to Kelly, and dealt with, with a glass of red wine), the night went off happily and, judging by the mob’s reaction, a huge Sunday evening hit. Don’t worry those who missed out. Stereophonics said they would be back… tomorrow night.

Tags: New Zealand, Stereophonics