THE Stereophonics must be quite taken with Bournemouth and the BIC, as they seem to include a date here on most of their tours. And judging by the rapturous reception from the packed venue when they took to the stage they will be welcome back anytime they feel like it.

Kelly Jones immediately strolled along the extend stage to deliver the opening number from the middle of the crowd before returned to the main stage to join the band for Caught by the Wind and a rousing C’est La Vie.

Never a band to scrimp on the stage set-up lights or effects the band and crew never fail to put on a stunning show and tonight was no different. Kelly’s gravelly voice and the bands driving beat deliver the perfect rock show. Even the slower more considered numbers have real substance and power behind them.

Halfway through the whole band decamped to the end of the extended stage to deliver four songs from the centre of the crowd. The crowded set up transformed an arena show into a small intimate pub gig, albeit to nearly six thousand people. I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio provides the first mass sing along of the night, Chris Farrow’s Handbags & Glad-rags which is a live favourite of mine, You Say It’s Your Birthday with Boy on a Bike rounding off the segment.

The second half of the show contained too many hits to mention them all but no Stereophonics gig would be complete without a rousing version of A Thousand Trees, the pounding Bartender and The Thief and of course show closer the fabulous Dakota.

Like a force of nature there just seems to be no stopping the Stereophonics as they go on their merry way leaving a trail of satisfied fans in their wake. Lets hope they enjoyed tonight as much as we did and return as soon as possible.