There’s something electric in the air when Stereophonics come home. Friday night saw the band take to the stage at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium for the first of two epic summer gigs, and if you were lucky enough to be there, you’ll know exactly what we mean when we say: what a night.
These special Cardiff shows are part of the band’s Summer Sessions tour, ahead of a winter arena series later this year. The Principality Stadium holds a special place in the band’s history, having played sell-out shows there in 2001, 2003, 2005 and twice in 2022, it’s fair to say they’ve lost none of that magic.
And boy, did they deliver.
A scorcher of a day, a scorcher of a gig
Friday was one of the hottest days of the year, with temperatures pushing 33°C in the capital. The stadium roof was wide open, letting the sun pour in as early fans streamed in and took their spots. There was a proper summer festival vibe from the get-go, sunglasses on, beers in hand, and a full line-up of cracking live music ahead.
It felt more like a giant family reunion than just another concert. Maybe that’s what Stereophonics gigs in Wales always feel like. For many fans, especially the locals, it’s more than just a night out. It’s coming home.
Finn Forster: warming things up, and then some
Opening the evening was Finn Forster, who absolutely rose to the occasion. Honest lyrics, soaring vocals, and a really emotional delivery made his set memorable. Can’t Back Down and Broken Game stood out for us, but the whole set had a real sense of intimacy and purpose. He even admitted this might have been the biggest crowd he’s ever played to, and the stadium responded with warmth and enthusiasm. Very heartfelt and definitely one to keep an eye on.
Blossoms bring the good vibes
Next up: Blossoms. We weren’t sure how their set would land having not heard them play live before, but they won us over completely.
Tom Ogden, with his 70s-inspired swagger, flared jeans and infectious energy, led the band through a sun-drenched set packed with fan favourites. Charlemagne had the whole stadium bouncing, and Your Girlfriend might just be our new summer anthem. Oh, and Gary! — complete with the backstory and the 8ft Gary stage prop, had us laughing and dancing in equal measure. If you’ve never explored their back catalogue, get on it. Their music videos are brilliantly quirky, and Perfect Me is well worth a watch.
Watching them live just hits different. Blossoms weren’t just here to fill time, they properly got the party started. They left us wanting more… more… much more…
Then, the moment we’d all been waiting for…
There’s a buzz when the lights drop. The stage FX start up. And you know it’s time.
Due on at 8:15pm but started a smidge later, Stereophonics hit the stage, and the roar from the crowd was deafening. So much so, I couldn’t really make out the first song!
They played C’est La Vie and from that moment on, it was a non-stop masterclass in live music. Tracks like Have a Nice Day (cue stadium-wide singalong), I Wanna Get Lost With You, Maybe Tomorrow, and Do Ya Feel My Love? had us completely hooked.
By the time Dakota rolled around to close the night, the place had lost its collective mind. Kelly Jones, ever the cool frontman, barely had to sing a note, the crowd did that for him.
Newer tracks like There’s Always Gonna Be Something offered thoughtful moments, encouraging everyone to leave their troubles at the door and just be present in the moment. It worked. For two hours, the world stopped. It was just us, the music, and that confetti-filled ending (Wait, Cry, Laugh fluttering down around us, poetic, really).
A band that just gets it
With over 10 million albums sold, eight UK #1s, and a legacy of anthems, Stereophonics aren’t just a band, they’re part of the cultural fabric of Wales. And gigs like this are a reminder of why.
There’s something different about seeing them in Cardiff. It’s personal. It’s powerful. And it’s loud. They pulled off a two-hour set packed with the hits we all know and love, and they made it look easy.
And now? They get to do it all over again tonight.
Friday’s set timings:
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17:00 – Doors open
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18:00 – Finn Forster
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19:00 – Blossoms
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20:15 – Stereophonics
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22:30 – Gig ends (reluctantly)
From the blistering heat to the even hotter performances, Friday night’s Stereophonics gig was a homecoming to remember. If you’re heading to the Saturday show, lucky you. If not, well… there’s always the winter tour.
One thing’s for sure: Stereophonics still know how to raise the roof even when it’s wide open.
Looking for tickets?
A limited number of tickets have just been released for Saturday’s Stereophonics gig at the Principality Stadium!
If you missed out on Friday night’s unforgettable show or simply want to do it all over again, this is your chance.
Find out more and book here whilst they last:
https://myticket.co.uk/artists/stereophonics
https://www.gigantic.com/stereophonics-tickets/cardiff-principality-stadium/2025-07-12-17-00
