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Stereophonics

From page 83 of Classic Rock Magazine February 2000

Cover of February 2000 issue.

'Performance And Cocktails Live At Mona Stadium' (Visual Entertainment, 80 minutes) *****

Despite what the 50,000 devotees gathered to worship at the altar of Kelly Jones would doubtless testify, the Stereophonics are not the most dynamically engaging of live acts. And it would seem the makers of this live document concur, each song herein interspliced with chucklesome soundbites or backstage larks and japes, presumably intending to prove that the trio are in fact top lads brimming with personality when you get to know them. And to be fair it works, the genially candid footage providing welcome respite from the band's enjoyable, if sometime dry, set.

Occasionally, the self conscious editing grates the unfathomable ruining of 'Pick A Part That's New' by cross-cutting from soundcheck to gig and back, in particular but in the main this is entertaining viewing. If anything it serves as a timely reminder that after just two albums the Stereophonics have a hugely impressive canon of songs. Besides the big hits and cover of the Kinks' 'Sunday Afternoon there's a further 14 tracks to be savoured/Traffic"s poignant, lighter-fuelled dusk singalong being the arguable highlight. Far better than expected, then. Daniel Silver