Stereophonics are back playing music on North American soil for the first time in six years. The veteran Welsh rockers brought their No Hit Left Behind Spring Tour to The Agora Theater in Cleveland on Saturday night.
The tour kicked off in Montreal on March 21, and it celebrates both their storied career and the release of their new album, Make ‘em Laugh, Make ‘em Cry, Make ‘em Wait.
I double-checked and triple-checked but couldn’t find any evidence that Stereophonics has visited Cleveland before. So, here’s what you missed if you weren’t there:
An Opener Worth Showing Up Early For
When the lights dimmed shortly after 8:00 pm, Witches Exist took the stage as the opener.
The Austin, Texas- band may look youthful, but their sound is mature beyond their appearance. Their set was atmospheric, melodic, and catchy, with plenty of guitars and a few dashes of synth.
Typically, I’m not opposed to checking out the merch tent or scouting a better General Admission location during opening acts, but the band demanded my attention with a sound that reminded me of Slowdive or Chapterhouse.
If Witches Exist are a harbinger of a shoegaze revival, count me in.
Preview of the New Album
Stereophonics took the stage around 9:00 pm.
Their new album, ‘Make ’em Laugh, Make ’em Cry, Make ’em Wait,’ is scheduled for release on April 25, 2025. The band played two tracks from the record: “Seems Like You Don’t Know Me” and the first single, “There’s Always Gonna Be Something.”
Both of the songs fit seamlessly into the existing catalog, proving the band hasn’t lost a step over three decades.
(Almost) All of the Hits
True to the name of the tour, Kelly Jones, Richard Jones (no relation), and co. offered a sampling of hits from 10 of their 13 studio albums.
The show opened the same way 2001’s ‘Just Enough Education to Perform‘ does with the raucous “Vegas Two Times.” From that same album, the band played a tight “Have a Nice Day” and a surprisingly gritty “Mr. Writer.”
The most well-represented album of the evening would be ‘Performance and Cocktails.’
“Just Looking” got the crowd fired up in the first third of the set. “Pick a Part That’s New” and “Hurry Up and Wait” were saved until the encore. The 2025 version of “I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio” includes a seated Kelly Jones with a ukulele.
Crowd pleasers “Maybe Tomorrow,” “Traffic,” and “Geronimo” made appearances.
“Local Boy in the Photograph” has to be the perfect song to end a set on a Spring Tour. Also, I think there might be a riot if “Dakota” doesn’t finish the encore of a Stereophonics show.
A moment of silence from this writer for “A Thousand Trees” being excluded from the set, but that would be the only minor complaint to a great setlist.
Local Knowledge
Prior to “Have a Nice Day,” Kelly Jones shared some of his research on the city of Cleveland prior to their arrival. I have to give him credit, he pulled an impressive list of inventions credited to the city of Cleveland, including the Man of Steel himself, Superman. Their hit that shares a name with Clark Kent’s alter ego would make the setlist.
He told a story of his visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Kelly was especially pleased to see Angus Young’s guitar and schoolboy outfit, since AC/DC was a childhood love of his.
He also shared a funny story of the conversation he had with his daughter about Elvis’ jumpsuit and a misunderstanding of its availability to be purchased.
Greatest Hits, to be Continued
They made us wait six years to see them again, but quickly reminded us of what a skilled songwriter Kelly Jones has been over the years, reminded us that his voice belongs somewhere on the list among the greats, reminded us how strong a legacy they will leave behind, but also showed us they’re not done yet.
Made us laugh, made us cry, made us wait, indeed.
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