Gut Reactions (post-gig memories and other trips): Stereophonics, Winter Arena Tour 2025, OVO Hydro, Glasgow. Wednesday 10th December, 2025.

This review is jumbled. I'm not sure why. I'm writing it the night after. I didn't take notes during the show, so these were my recollections.

Stereophonics are one of my favourite bands. This was the second occasion I'd seen them this year. If anything, they were even better this time. Kelly appeared to be in a much better place, happy to gee up the crowd, visibly enjoying playing.

The production team did a fantastic job with the lighting, though the staging appeared more basic, with the walkway, notably smaller than last time, barely used. There was no way we'd see a drum kit rising from beneath as they did on previous tours during Mr and Mrs Smith. The trade-off would be for the band to sell more Standing tickets. I was pleased we hadn't bought Standing tickets because the hall was rammed and my knee and back were sore. On two occasions, I noticed the urgent waving of phone torches to attract first aiders, with the infirm subsequently being led out rather than carried out, which was positive. The downside to my location in Section 203 was that I couldn't see the entire back screen, the view blocked by the giant side screen, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the band playing.

The crowd around us was mostly fine. The European males behind us were often enjoying a chat, but I couldn't hear them during the upbeat numbers. After most songs, one would shout, "Ho," in a manner evocative of displeasure at someone standing on their lawn. That could be the norm overseas. I don't know. I've not been recently.

The bouncing balls released during C'est La Vie would have had Shirley Manson apoplectic (Context: she went off on an Australian fan for carrying a beach ball). I noticed a couple of girls carrying them as mementoes from the venue after the gig. No idea how they'd fit them in a car on the way home. A train, maybe.

I didn't enjoy the support act, Finn Forster. He's confident, but I didn't find his voice interesting. I'm sure he appealed to the younger crowd.

The beauty of this show was the music. The band have been going so long, with so many hits, it was inevitable they couldn't play them all. The setlist varied from other dates, with a couple of tunes being dusted off for the first time this tour (see below). My wife was annoyed they didn't play Handbags and Gladrags, but as I pointed out, they didn't write it.

My photos are not that great. The videos are okay, except for Dakota, when the bloke in front stood and temporarily blocked my view, but that's only at the start.

Setlist

Vegas Two Times

I Wanna Get Lost With You

Have a Nice Day

There's Always Gonna Be Something

Do Ya Feel My Love

Pick a Part That's New

Rewind

Superman

Geronimo

Maybe Tomorrow

Just Looking (Tour Debut)