THE NIGHT PHONICS ROCKED CARDIFF

IT was a night of celebration, nostalgia and emotion in Cardiff last night as the Stereophonics took to the stage at Cardiff City Stadium, almost six years to the day since they last played there.

The Welsh music giants returned to the capital with a bang as they played in front of tens of thousands of their most devoted homegrown fans at one of the biggest gigs of the year.

And fans couldn’t get enough of them.

Performing alongside special guests Band of Skulls, The Shimmer Band and indie rockers The Vaccines, the huge open-air show was brimming over with greatest hits and new releases.

With a vast back catalogue of hits, the ’Phonics focused much of their set on some of their most popular classics – much to the delight of the screaming crowd.

There were plenty of nods to their iconic 1997 album, Word Gets Around, with outings for the hugely popular A Thousand Trees and More Life in a Tramp’s Vest.

Emotions ran high throughout the performance as frontman and new dad Kelly Jones had earlier said the concert would be dedicated to former band member Stuart Cable.

Speaking during an interview with WalesOnline earlier this week, the Cwmaman rocker said: “I’ve really been looking forward to doing this gig all year because we had a blast last time.

“But, yeah, I know that the minute we get out on stage it’s going to bring a lot of memories.

“It’s impossible to forget the fact that last time we played Cardiff City Stadium was an incredible night, and all the boys in the band had a huge party the next day – but then, the following morning, we heard Stuart had gone.”

In the crowd was Rhian Mitchinson, from the Rhondda, who was celebrating her birthday at the gig.

She said: “The atmosphere is incredible.”

Also at the gig was new mum Emily Barnes, 25, who was spending some “well over-due” quality time with her own mother – and they’re both huge fans of the Phonics.

She said: “We’re so excited to be at the gig – we’ve been waiting ages to see them.”