THE FRONT ROW

Saturday night in Huddersfield and the clouds were mercifully holding off. 25,000 fans packed out John Smith’s Stadium for a massive, career-spanning homecoming of sorts for Stereophonics, who brought swagger, sentiment, and stadium-sized hooks to the pitch. But before Kelly Jones and co rattled through decades of hits, two northern acts lit the fuse, and one in particular made his case for future headliner status.

“I was meant to be in the crowd tonight…”

Finn Forster, first on, took to the stage with the type of calm defiance you only get from someone who knows how hard he’s worked to get there. The last time we caught him was headlining York’s Fulford Arms to a 70-strong crowd, so stepping up in front of 8,000 or so early punters here, most still grabbing beers or queuing for merch, could’ve easily swallowed a lesser performer.

But Finn? He seized it.

Kicking off with “Long Nights”, his voice cut through with grit and melody, the sort of delivery that sticks even when the wind swirls. He moved seamlessly into tracks including “Broken Game”, and “Grey Skies”, rich with that North East lyrical sharpness and radio-ready sparkle. But it was “Stay Right Til the End” that hit hardest, an proper closing anthem delivered like he knew exactly how lucky he was to be up there.

In a moment that made the whole stadium lean in, Finn revealed he’d actually bought a ticket for the gig with his dad, before being added to the bill. He also debuted “Burning Bridges”, an unreleased track hinting at even bigger things to come. Honest, humble, and vocally on point, it’s no wonder Stereophonics brought him out on their European run earlier this year. This was a defining moment for a rising artist we’re tipping for serious future success.

By the time Blossoms strutted onstage, the stadium was filling fast. The Stockport five-piece did what they do best, deliver polished, groove-heavy pop with just enough weirdness to keep it interesting. Kicking things off with “Perfect Me” and “Oh No (I Think I’m in Love)”, it was all clean lines, tight harmonies and synth textures that danced over the stadium’s PA.

Tom Ogden, ever the showman in pastel tailoring, led the charge with his usual smirk-and-strut style. “Honey Sweet” and “If You Think This Is Real Life” came early, blending jangly guitars with their signature disco shimmer. Newer track “The Honeymoon” showed they’re not done evolving yet, part dream-pop, part festival anthem.

Crowd favourites “Your Girlfriend”, “Nightclub” and “Gary” turned up the singalong factor, before the closing trio, “I Like Your Look”, “There’s a Reason Why…” and the evergreen “Charlemagne”, sealed the deal. Blossoms may not have reinvented the indie wheel, but they’ve damn well polished the rims. Tight, joyous, and laced with swagger, they were the perfect penultimate act before the Welsh giants landed.

If you’ve seen Stereophonics live before, you’ll know they don’t mess about, and in Huddersfield, they brought out everything. No gimmicks. No faff. Just a masterclass in how to own a stadium for two hours and fifteen minutes.

They opened with “Vegas Two Times”, its gritty groove cutting through the dusk air. From there it was a rocket ride through 25 years of hits, and while the size of the crowd was massive, the set felt deeply personal. “I Wanna Get Lost With You”, “Have a Nice Day”, and “Do Ya Feel My Love” landed early and heavy, each met with arms aloft and beer flying.

Kelly Jones, as ever, was a commanding presence, rasped vocals still on point, guitar work unflashy but flawless. The connection between band and fans was evident, especially on deep cuts like “Superman”, “Geronimo”, and “Graffiti on the Train”. These weren’t filler, they were carefully chosen set moments for the fans who’ve stuck around since the Word Gets Around days.

The mid-set trio of “Maybe Tomorrow”, “Handbags and Gladrags” (a stunning Mike d’Abo cover), and “All in One Night” had the whole stadium swaying. A ukulele-led “I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio” brought unexpected delicacy, before they soared into “Traffic” and “Fly Like an Eagle”, both delivered with cinematic flair.

The final stretch? An absolute knockout.

“Mr. Writer”, haunting and still so relevant.
“Local Boy in the Photograph”, a hometown hymn played far from home.
“C’est la vie”, a crowd-pleasing stomp of pure rock joy.
And then the encore, “The Bartender and the Thief” and “Dakota”, belted back word-for-word by a crowd who clearly came to worship.

It was loud. It was sweaty. It was beautifully nostalgic. But more than anything, it was proof that Stereophonics still have that fire. 27 years in, they’re not chasing relevance, they’re reminding us why they’ve never really gone away.

Finn Forster opened with heart and hunger, Blossoms brought the indie-pop charm, and Stereophonics? They simply proved why they’re still one of the best live acts the UK has produced in the last three decades.

Huddersfield witnessed more than just a gig, this was a generational handover, a future star’s rise, and a masterclass in how to own a stadium without losing your soul.