I consider myself as a bit of a Stereophonics geek after seeing them 14 times in the last decade and have been an avid fan since first hearing Tramps Vest back when i was at school.
With this in mind, I travelled down to the Reading Rivermead with mixed feelings of how the gig would be. The support band were completely new to me and that can sometimes be the downfall of any gig for me. Luckily, they were pretty damn special. But nothing, and I mean nothing as amazing as The Stereophonics were!
From the bluesy opening note leading up to "Bartender and the Thief" to the five minute ovation at the end of "Dakota" - I was hooked. It was a great location for an intimate gig but luckily Kelly and the boys arrived knowing that the crowd was full of hardcore followers and deserved the stadium effect that we've grown to know and love.
Overall - It was one of my favourites. An intimate gig with a decade of hits from a highly underrated band....couldn't ask for much more could I! Apart from catching Javiers drum stick I guess!