It had been five years since Stereophonics last played in Paris, when they sold out two nights at the Olympia, and their return at Le Zénith once again brought out a full house. The venue was packed from floor to rafters with a crowd of loud, rabid fans eager to reunite with their heroes after half a decade. The band walked on without ceremony and opened the set with "Vegas Two Times."
The setlist spanned a wide stretch of their catalogue, in keeping with the tour’s title, No Hit Left Behind. Old 'Phonics classics like "Just Looking," "Maybe Tomorrow," and "Have a Nice Day" were, of course, met with raucous fervour. These tunes continue to mean something to a lot of people, in a way that’s hard to put into words. Why do pieces of music have that effect on us? One of the highlights was the performance of "You’re My Star," which frontman Kelly Jones noted they hadn't played in a long time.
A few songs from the new album, Make 'em Laugh, Make 'em Cry, Make 'em Wait, released just four days earlier (read our review HERE), were also included. "Do Ya Feel My Love" and "There’s Always Gonna Be Something" blended in naturally, and it’s a testament to the quality of that record that the songs were (almost) as well received as the old chestnuts.
The songs may be moody at times, melancholic or soothing, sentimental even, and always melodic — but make no mistake: Stereophonics is a rock band. The guitars were loud and brash, and the rhythm section kept things grounded. Arrangements mostly stayed close to the studio versions, but on stage they take on a much harder edge.
Kelly Jones’ stage presence is like his voice: warm, inviting, with a slight hint of mischief. He addressed the crowd like one would an old friend, with bonhomie and humour.
The main set ended with "A Thousand Trees," followed by an encore of "C’est La Vie," "Hurry Up and Wait," and "Dakota." These are songs many in the crowd have lived with for close to thirty years, and they’ve come to feel like old friends — tied to places, people, and moments that have stayed with us. This show became one more memory to go with them.
Friday's Playlist: Parkas & Bowl Cuts - 80's & 90's Britpop
Ride @ Élysée-Montmartre - December 22nd, 2022
The Libertines @ Le Zénith, Paris - September 30th, 2014
