Stereophonics delivered an anthem-filled performance to a near-capacity crowd at Citizens House of Blues, electrifying fans with their signature sound.
The Citizens House of Blues in Boston, MA, has kicked off 2025 with a stellar concert lineup, and the addition of Welsh rockers Stereophonics only adds to the excitement. This legendary venue, just a stone’s throw from Fenway Park, continues to be a hotspot for unforgettable live music.
With the Red Sox still in preseason, Lansdowne Street was far quieter than usual, making parking and navigation a breeze. The only real crowd was the eager line of fans waiting to get inside the House of Blues. As Boston’s skyline evolves with sleek, modern buildings, the House of Blues remains a venue rich with character, offering an intimate yet powerful concert experience. Like its neighbor, the MGM Music Hall, the venue boasts excellent sightlines from every vantage point, creating the illusion of a much smaller space than it actually is.
Fans arrived early to secure prime spots, setting the tone for a night of music, singing, and dancing. Unlike some of the more chaotic shows the venue has hosted, the Stereophonics crowd was there simply to enjoy the night – no mosh pits, no crowd surfing, and no concerns for security. This night was about absorbing good music and a good time.
Opening the show was Witches Exist, a rising band from Austin, TX, that burst onto the scene in 2022 with their debut EP, Fertilizer. Their sound is a mesmerizing fusion of shoegaze and noisegaze – ethereal yet chaotic, with layers of dreamy synths, thunderous drums, and swirling guitars.
As the lights dimmed at 8 PM, the stage was bathed in deep blue hues, setting the perfect atmosphere for the band’s hypnotic sound. Witches Exist kicked off their set with “Homeostasis” from their 2023 album Crashing, a track that perfectly captured their signature blend of melody and turbulence, with vocals and guitars intertwining in a beautifully chaotic dance. “Tacomex” brought a more laid-back, groove-driven vibe, ideal for swaying along with friends, while “Shelter in the Cocoon” delivered an irresistibly catchy chorus that had the crowd nodding in rhythm. Witches Exist proved to be an excellent opener, setting the stage for a memorable night of music.
Stereophonics was up next. The Welsh band has been delivering powerhouse anthemic music to millions of fans since the mid-’90s. Anyone who has attended a Stereophonics show knows they’re in for a night of great music, sing-alongs, and memories to last a lifetime. Currently, the band is on their spring tour, traveling across the country with a promise of No Hit Left Behind – and they’re living up to that promise.
As the band took to the stage, the room erupted in cheers. They kicked off their set with “C’est La Vie” from their 2015 album Keep The Village Alive – a fast-paced, energizing track that had the crowd singing and dancing from the start. It was the perfect opener for a 20-song setlist that took fans on a journey through Stereophonics’ 13-album discography. From “Local Boy in the Photograph” from their 1997 debut Word Gets Around to two brand-new singles from their upcoming album Make ‘Em Laugh, Make ‘Em Cry, Make ‘Em Wait, the band showcased the full breadth of their career. The new tracks, “There’s Always Gonna Be Something” and “Seems Like You Don’t Know Me,” offered fans a taste of what’s to come when the album drops on April 25.
“There’s Always Gonna Be Something” is a song that resonates deeply, touching on the uncertainties of life. As frontman Kelly Jones has described, it’s about the daily struggles we all face in accepting what lies ahead.
The night was a rollercoaster of emotion and energy. The band kept the crowd moving with high-energy hits like “Geronimo” from 2017’s Scream Above the Sounds and “Superman” from 2005’s Language. Sex. Violence. Other? Between songs, Jones took moments to connect with the audience, sharing stories behind their music. One particularly moving moment came when a piano, decorated in white Christmas lights, was rolled onto the stage. Jones reflected on a childhood memory – receiving a bike one Christmas and riding it through the snow, the crunching beneath his tires reminding him of a Robert Frost poem he loved. With a single spotlight illuminating him, the crowd hushed, soaking in the intimate moment as he began to play “Boy on A Bike” from 2017’s Scream Above the Sounds.
Throughout the night, the audience often matched Jones’ volume, taking over choruses with full force. Whether it was “Mr. Writer” from 2001’s Just Enough Education to Perform or “Traffic” from Word Gets Around, the crowd became an extension of the band, singing every lyric with heart and soul.
As the night wrapped up, the band held “Dakota” until the very end of the night. The song was full of energy that had the crowd clapping along from the very first note to ring out over the House of Blues. It didn’t take long for the crowd to start to sing along to the song. They got louder and louder as the song continued until Jones yelled out “Let me hear you sing it Boston,” to which the crowd happily obliged, matching his volume which clearly caught the band by surprise at just how loud they sang. The band exchanged smiles as they listened to the crowd singing their words back to them. It was such a great way to end a night of great music and moments.
Stereophonics once again proved why their music has stood the test of time. This tour isn’t just a greatest hits set, it’s a celebration of their legacy and a glimpse into their future. Stereophonics’ spring tour will continue on through early April. They kick off their summer tour at the end of April heading back overseas through August.
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