Gut Reactions (post-gig memories and other trips): Stereophonics, "Stadium Anthems", Summer Sessions, Bellahouston Park, Glasgow. Saturday 28th June 2025

The day had been going so well. I managed to park near the corner of Mosspark Boulevard and Corkerhill Road, so the walk to the venue was quick. While it was irritating that, unlike for Sting 3.0, there was no separate VIP entrance, the one queue being fed in three directions at least moved quickly and efficiently. I never got frisked, so it was straight through to the VIP booth to collect our wristbands.

The VIP Garden was far busier this time, not unusual given the event itself was sold out and it was a Saturday. It would be easier for people to get there earlier. We had to stand to eat our burgers as there were no seats left. The Land Rover DJ was again blasting out his tunes, so we were unaware that Finn Forster was on stage until we left the area.

I can see why Kelly would have approved of Finn opening the show. He's a competent singer-songwriter with a band that makes good music. I didn't see all his set, but enjoyed what I heard.

A cold wind is blowing a hoolie across the park. Cigarette smoke flies in my face from the punter beside me, making my eyes sting. We decide to move, only to come across someone else vaping, their plumes billowing past us like a steam train. Even the dry ice machine is struggling to fulfil its task, as the white gas blows back on itself, dispersing before it can grace the stage.

We move closer, deciding to shadow a mother and daughter, despite their smoking and vaping, as their height is slightly less than ours. The view is clear to the stage, and that's what counts.

Before Blossoms, a drunken woman pushes in beside me. She has bleached-blonde hair and so much fake tan, it actually accentuates her facial wrinkles. She is so out of it, she doesn't even realise how much of her drink she is spilling. Her family shepherd her closer to the centre line, and she nearly falls over, not realising there is a narrow walkway covering the middle line of the grass. Thankfully, we dodged trouble with that one.

The sun comes out just as Blossoms take the stage. They are a revelation. I was only vaguely familiar with their hits. I had no idea what to expect. They blew me away (so did the wind - it was a spicy burger). As a band, they have a James vibe to them, playing catchy tunes with an ensemble feel to proceedings. Lead singer Tom Ogden (whom I was shocked to discover is thirty-two; he looks more like seventeen) comes across as a Jarvis Cocker-like frontman, full of cool poses and struts, dressed as if he's going to his first job interview in an oversized, brown suit, complete with a tie. To stand out from the other applicants, though, he wears sunglasses and white brogues because, with his long hair and swagger, he's cool enough to pull off the look.

Charlemagne

The wind plays a significant part in his performance, as he often leans into it, allowing his hair to be blown away from his face. The wind may also have been the cause of the big screen on the left malfunctioning midway through. Fortunately, the techs managed to reboot it again before the end of the set.

While I can't say I was a big fan of Blossom's work before, I might consider giving them another try. On the evidence here, they've got something special.

Setlist
Your Girlfriend
Oh No (I Think I'm in Love)
What Can I Say After I'm Sorry?
Perfect Me
Honey Sweet
If You Think This Is Real Life
I Can't Stand It
Nightclub
I Like Your Look
There's a Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls)
Charlemagne
Gary

How many cups does it take to look like a dick?
Actually, that's not fair.
Everyone joined in, making it a fun game.

Blossoms

Tom Ogden

Gary

With fifteen minutes to go before Stereophonics were due on stage, I warned my wife to brace herself. No, I wasn't feeling frisky. I was predicting the influx of drunken latecomers. Almost immediately, one happy-go-lucky tallish chap with grey hair and a short-trimmed beard appeared, barging past the people a couple of rows in front of us. Grinning, he explained he had to stand there because his wife was small and she wouldn't see otherwise, entirely missing the irony of his action. My wife and I looked at one another, shaking our heads. More tall people returned, oblivious to the small people around them (perhaps they had been taught not to look down on others).

A woman wishing she had an axe
to fell that plank.

The music playing during the interval was very much to my taste: Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire, AC/DC -Whole Lotta Rosie, ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man: all classics. Hopefully, a statement of intent that Stereophonics were going to rock our socks off.

Which they did!

Now, at this point, I thought I had a great view. What I should have realised is that Gen Z (and older) cannot recognise a tune without popping their phone in the air to video it, for anything up to thirty seconds (or however long a TikTok is) after which their arms wither. They can multitask, though. They can film while dancing, singing, and vaping, recording a jumpy video that is unwatchable in every respect but still an accurate representation of the proceedings. The grey-haired interloper seemed to have his camera set to selfie, the screen facing the stage most of the time (He left to buy more drinks, but returned with a friend, taking up even more space).

I gave up on any hope of recording anything well-known, only managing to film Hurry Up and Wait in its entirety. I managed to snap a few pics along the way whenever there was a large enough gap.

Hurry Up and Wait

The setlist was not as I expected from previous shows. They'd shaken up the order for Glasgow. Breezing through hit after hit, Kelly and the boys gave an excellent performance, with occasional pyros and fireworks. The stage utilised six tower screens, three on either side, as well as the giant screens at the far sides and back, to add another dimension to the visuals. The show had a big feel about it at times, yet could feel close and intimate at others. That's the beauty of their music, rocky one minute, tender the next. Something for everyone.

Kelly is effortlessly cool as he plays guitar in his leather jacket, with his scarf tucked in. Such a lot of talent packed into one person. He told us the story of touring with David Bowie in America, about the time the tall, white duke watched them soundcheck. They didn't want to keep him back, so they hurried through the set, only playing each guitar for a short time. On the way back to the dressing room, David walked with them, putting his arms across Kelly's shoulder, remarking that they had something special there, but if he could give them some advice, it would be even better if they made the songs longer.

More assertive lads (by that I mean another word beginning with 'ass') push forward. One youth in a white T-shirt makes space beside me, his elbows jutting into my upper arm. Next, a pint cup flies past, missing him by inches (how? he was the biggest target), and sprays me and my wife with beer. I get it down my arm and inside my glass lenses. Her fleece takes a soaking.

The events then take a darker turn during "C'est La Vie." Becoming suddenly aware of a disturbance nearby, I spotted a young Welsh girl screaming at an older man, who was pushing back through the crowd. She launches her nails at him, scratching his face. The girl's dad and other males follow, intent on coming to her aid. I don't know what the man did to deserve this, but I sensed from her angry reaction that he was very much in the wrong. Seeing a foe he could battle, the man turned to face the Welshman and had to be restrained by his sons, who screamed at him to back down, telling him he was in the wrong and to leave it alone. The man stumbled off, disappearing into the crowd to the jeers of the party of Welsh fans.

An empty space had formed, akin to a mosh pit, as everyone backed away from the conflict. No one returned to fill it. This gave the man the perfect opportunity to stagger forward to reclaim his spot with his family. He kept looking towards the Welsh people, trying to catch their attention, ready for the next round. His boys restrained him again, forcing him away. By this time, our joy at attending the gig had soured. While no blows were thrown, except for the scratch to the man's cheek, as far as I could see anyway, the threat of violence was upsetting.

I joked to my wife, "Man, some people can't take their dad anywhere." It didn't lift her mood. She was still apprehensive.

By the time the band played the final number, Dakota, this down feeling became embedded when more drunk youths pushed past to have one last rammy in the boisterous crowd. Youths were hoisted onto shoulders, the dancing became riotous, and, everywhere, phones were raised, blocking nearly every view. We didn't want to be anywhere near it. Not a great way to end the night. Kelly didn't even do his signature leaving move, turning back towards the crowd multiple times to elicit another cheer.

As we departed, the number of drunk people barely able to walk or, in some cases, even stand, was an embarrassment. The wrecks didn't respect the queue of people waiting to get through the exits, forcing their way past, apologising only if they stumbled against you. Not pretty. I suppose, if they can afford Gold Circle tickets, they can also afford to drink all day, too, even at festival prices.

I would love to see an alcohol free festival, where suspected drunkards were breathalysed at the gate. If they were over the statutory limit to drive, they wouldn't be allowed in. All alcohol would be confiscated. Any vapes or cigarettes would be placed in security pouches, which could only be opened in designated areas outside the arena. If they can do it with phones, why not these products? (I am also not a notoriously fun person, so the festival would be a disaster.)

We headed back to the car. My shirt smelled of booze, my T-shirt of cigarettes. Back in the day, that would have been enough to qualify as a great gig. Such a shame as Stereophonics really brought their A game.

Setlist

The Bartender and the Thief

Vegas Two Times

I Wanna Get Lost With You

Have a Nice Day

There's Always Gonna Be Something

Just Looking

Pick a Part That's New

Hurry Up and Wait

Superman

Geronimo

Maybe Tomorrow (Acoustic)