Wake up, North America...It's Stereophonics.

2 friends. 1,754km

2 bands. 3 shows.

I’ve seen Stereophonics sixteen times in my life.

I know some of you have never had the opportunity.

But sadly, I bet some of you have never even heard of them.

For the latter, I just don’t get it.  
This is my story of seeing them for the 14^th, 15^th, and 16^th time.

I love music. It always inspires me to create. So when I brought up the idea of driving nearly 2,000km to see Stereophonics three times, my wife didn’t even bat an eye. She’s so supportive of everything I do; it makes me wish I was the same. Having said that, I almost backed out. No matter my love for Stereophonics and the support of my wife, the fact I suffer from severe panic attacks almost made me walk away from this opportunity. Hotels, long road trips, concerts, flights, movies, weddings, my list of panic attack triggers goes on and on. But the thing is, most would have no clue. I’ve successfully kept hidden my battle with them for years. It’s been a personal challenge to not give in to the sweat and fear that grips you as they rage. I’m sure it would be much easier to avoid some of my triggers, but I’m not letting the panics win.

So driving into Toronto with one of my great friends for the first night of my Stereophonics Road Trip, and having already interviewed the bassist Richard Jones for All The Write Notes, we began to reminisce about how many times each of us had seen the band since 2000. Acoustic, in-store, festivals, even once when they were hungover after having a late dinner with Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller. Each time, the same result. A passionate performance of music you can set the course of your life to.  

Arriving early at the Danforth Music Hall left us with some time for a few beers and to people watch. The Irish pub was filled with new and old fans alike, but they were all buzzing about how lucky they were to still get to see one of the greatest UK bands of all time in a tiny venue. It made no sense to them, and it certainly doesn’t make sense to me. But regardless of whether they’re playing in front of 50,000 or 1,000, Stereophonics are performers, and they did just that. They came out of the gate ripping through tracks like "Catacomb", "Local Boy In The Photograph", and "Superman". Though written over 10 years apart, that combo of rock sent the crowd into a frenzy. And for me, for the first time that I can remember, I didn’t have a panic.  Not even a hint of one.

With the two work days in-between gigs over, we packed up and headed down Highway 402 towards Michigan. As we snailed our way across the bridge to the USA, and made our way into Detroit, the textures of the city showed Detroit isn’t as dead as everyone portrays it. You can see the life growing, it’s industrial heritage intertwined with the new. You can't help but believe Detroit will bounce back stronger, sooner rather than later. However, checking into the hotel there was one thing missing, my panics. 

Laughing it off, we had dinner and a few beers before walking a couple blocks north to St. Andrews Hall. Being an intimate landmark in Detroit, the venue was hopping as the Stereophonics played a similar set-list to their Toronto set. But as the best bands show you, a set-list doesn’t need to change when you’re passionate.  Classics like “Thousand Trees” and “Just Looking” had the crowd chanting while new tracks “We Share the Same Sun” and “Graffiti on the Train” had the crowd moving. And to my shock, but continued relief, no panics.

Gatorade and grits in the morning,  (potatoes cut up in small pieces for my fellow Canadians) and it was time to hit the road to Chicago. Staying in the Loop downtown, we grabbed some deep dish and hit the show early so we didn’t miss the opener. “The Wind And The Wave”, a southern folk-rock band out of Texas, made quite a few fans each night and I guarantee we will be hearing big things from Patricia and Dwight.

“I paid $150 to see them at Cardiff stadium. I would've paid $500.”

“I paid $200 to see them in the UK, and tonight I paid $18.”

“Wait till my UK friends see this pic of me 10ft from the stage.”

Those crammed into The Vic Theatre in Chicago were clearly in shock and disbelief as they voiced similar thoughts to those in Toronto, and Detroit, at still getting to see Stereophonics in a club. They clearly had no idea why one of the most successful bands in Europe and Asia over the past 16 years were still playing clubs in North America. They weren’t complaining, and neither am I. But I guess I'm saying, you're missing out.  

As for the show, it was the best of the three. The crowd was electric, and I’m sure most left with damage to their eardrums. Plus, we all got to see lead singer Kelly Jones step out for the encore and play keyboards for the very first time. Kelly looked at home as he played the opening to “I Stopped To Fill My Car Up” on keys before shredding the rest of the song to pieces with his familiar Gibson.

As I screamed every lyric to their closing song ‘Dakota’, I couldn’t help but smile at how lucky I’ve been to see them so close up, for so long. Now I don’t want to give up my chance at seeing them five feet from the stage, but when artists, authors, or musicians are so good at their craft that they inspire, they deserve the proper recognition. So wake up North America, I think a 16 year nap is long enough.

BTW I haven’t had a panic since.