GLASGOW SUMMER SESSIONS 2025 - STEREOPHONICS // BELLAHOUSTON PARK, GLASGOW
STEREOPHONICS BRING THEIR STADIUM ANTHEMS SUMMER 25’ TOUR TO GLASGOW
AS THEY CLOSE GLASGOW SUMMER SESSIONS 2025
★★★★★ (5/5)
Well, it’s gigging season, and Glasgow’s Summer Sessions are in full, glorious swing. Under a bright sun, a parade of fans streamed merrily through Bellahouston Park, sunglasses on, ready for a day built around one name: Stereophonics.
The Welsh rockers remain true hit-makers—masters of crafting songs that feel like miniature worlds, each one a moment in time. And on this sun-drenched day, they delivered those moments in rapid succession to a crowd more than willing to sing every word back at them.
First things first, though: Blossoms opened the show with infectious indie-pop shimmer, serving up breezy tunes perfect for the warm-up slot. Their set sparkled with melodic hooks and synth textures, showing why they’ve steadily become festival favourites. By the time they closed with the crowd-pleasing “Charlemagne,” Bellahouston Park was well and truly buzzing.
Then came the main event. Stereophonics took to the stage with “The Bartender and the Thief,” a thunderous opener whose piercing riffs cut through the warm air like a knife. The crowd erupted, instantly transported into that familiar Stereophonics realm where gritty storytelling meets arena-sized choruses.
Kelly Jones, as ever, was a commanding presence. His gravelly vocals sounded pitch-perfect, equal parts grit and soul. There’s something endearingly unfussy about Stereophonics live; they’re tight as a band, but it’s clear they’re also just a bunch of old friends on stage. Kelly and guitarist Richard Jones, in fact, have known each other since they were three months old—a fact that seems to echo in the band’s seamless chemistry.
The setlist was a relentless parade of hits. “Vegas Two Times” pulsed with swagger, while “I Wanna Get Lost With You” shimmered with a romantic summer glow. “Have a Nice Day” felt tailor-made for the heatwave, its sunny vibe matched by a sea of waving arms.
Moments of pure singalong bliss came thick and fast: “Just Looking,” “Pick a Part That’s New,” and the hauntingly beautiful acoustic rendition of “Maybe Tomorrow” were particular highlights. Kelly even broke out the ukulele for “I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio,” adding a playful twist that had the crowd grinning.
As the sun began to dip lower, the band powered through “Local Boy in the Photograph” and “C’est la Vie” before disappearing briefly—only to return for a stacked encore. “Step on My Old Size Nines,” “Handbags and Gladrags,” and the soaring “Traffic” kept the energy high, but of course, it was “Dakota” that blew the metaphorical roof off Bellahouston Park. From the first note, it became one giant mass karaoke session, the perfect euphoric end to the night.
All told, this was Stereophonics at their best—effortlessly cool, musically tight, and full of hits that still sound as fresh as ever. Under Glasgow’s summer sky, they reminded everyone exactly why they remain one of the UK’s most beloved live acts. And judging by the beaming faces filing out into the night, fans wouldn’t have had it any other way.