Live: Sterophonics

Electric Ballroom, London

THE Stereophonics' new album is called Keep Calm And Carry On - a title that sums up their approach.

After years of selling out arenas, they can ignore musical trends, keep their heads down and carry on making good, honest rock 'n' roll.

To many critics that means they're barely any more inventive than Status Quo. That's too harsh on Kelly Jones, a singer with more wit than he's given credit for.

Mischief

His sense of mischief comes over in the show's start. A dig at the band's supposed lack of glamour, as they arrive on stage, two models pout at them, then take up catwalk poses as Kelly and co tear into the raucous funk of new song She's Alright.

New single Innocent follows. More romantic than usual, but still made for the terraces, it's a lovely classic British tune in the tradition of Squeeze and Madness.

In the VIP bar, Stereophonics' No1 fan Wayne Rooney approves - he sings along (surprisingly tunefully) and plays air guitar throughout.

Despite the new songs' strength, not everyone is as ecstatic as Wayne.

After a long break to record the new album, the recently-expanded quartet are unusually nervous, shaking off the cobwebs as they feel their way back into playing live.

Punky early singles More Life In A Tramp's Vest and The Bartender And The Thief are a brilliant reminder of how energetic Stereophonics can be.

But the ballad-heavy middle of the set drags. Even though it's a small club, the dreary Vegas Two Times and 100MPH (the only dull newbie) are an excuse to head to the bar.

Perhaps the final word should go to Wayne. "That was very, very good," he tells Rated. "I've got the new album, and that's brilliant too."

Well, would you argue with him?

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