Stereophonics

Biography

Stereophonics are a Welsh rock band formed in 1992 in the village of Cwmaman in the Cynon Valley. The band consists of Kelly Jones (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Richard Jones (no relation to Kelly; bass guitar, harmonica, backing vocals), Adam Zindani (guitar, backing vocals), Jamie Morrison (drums, percussion) and touring member Tony Kirkham (keyboards, guitar). The group previously included Stuart Cable (1992–2003) and then Javier Weyler (2004–2012) on drums. Stereophonics have released thirteen studio albums, including nine UK number-one albums. A successful compilation album, Decade in the Sun, was released in November 2008 and charted at number two on the UK Albums chart.
Described as "classic UK rock delivered with whiskey vocals", the band have been summarised as possessing a sound akin to the genres of alternative rock and "British traditional rock". Stereophonics' debut album, Word Gets Around×Word Gets Around25 August 1997 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11A Thousand Trees3:042Looks Like Chaplin2:323More Life in a Tramps Vest2:204Local Boy in the Photograph3:225Traffic4:546Not Up to You4:377Check My Eyelids for Holes2:438Same Size Feet4:009Last of the Big Time Drinkers2:4510Goldfish Bowl3:0211Too Many Sandwiches5:0312Billy Davey’s Daughter3:50Disc 21More Life in a Tramps Vest2:342A Thousand Trees3:163Traffic5:374Local Boy in the Photograph3:33, was released in August 1997 and charted at number six in the UK, aided by the singles "Local Boy in the Photograph×Local Boy in the Photograph17 March 1997 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Local Boy in the Photograph3:252Looks Like Chaplin2:333Too Many Sandwiches4:314Buy Myself a Small Plane3:15", "More Life in a Tramps Vest" and "A Thousand Trees×A Thousand Trees4 August 1997 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1A Thousand Trees3:032Carrot Cake and Wine4:273A Thousand Trees (live)3:39". The band reached mainstream success with the release of Performance and Cocktails (and its promotional singles "The Bartender and the Thief×The Bartender and the Thief9 November 1998 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1The Bartender and the Thief3:122She Takes Her Clothes Off4:003The Bartender and the Thief (live)3:284Traffic (live)6:085Raymonds Shop (live)3:55", "Just Looking×Just Looking22 February 1999 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Just Looking4:072Postmen do not Great Movie Heroes Make2:363Sunny Afternoon3:38" and "Pick a Part That's New") in 1999 and have achieved a total of ten top-ten singles as well as one number one: "Dakota×Dakota28 February 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Dakota4:592Dakota (Footswitch Rework)4:003Soul (demo)2:194Dakota (video)4:03" (2005). Having sold around 10 million copies worldwide by 2016, Stereophonics are one of the most successful Welsh rock acts. Upon the release of Pull the Pin, they achieved five consecutive UK number-one albums.
The band have also been praised for their live performances, which have landed them headlining slots at many of the UK and Ireland's most high-profile music festivals, including Reading and Leeds in 2000, Glastonbury in 2002, V Festival in 2002, the Isle of Wight in 2004 and 2009, Oxegen in 2010, Tramlines Festival and TRNSMT in 2018, and Latitude in 2019. The band is part of the Cardiff music scene.

Formation and early years (1986–1991)

Kelly Jones and Stuart Cable lived on the same street in the Welsh village of Cwmaman. Jones heard Cable played drums so asked if he wanted to jam together. After some time practising in Jones' father's garage, Nicholas Geake joined in on guitar. Later, Jones invited Paul Rosser and Chris Davies to play on bass guitar and keyboards, respectively. Cable recalls he was the one who suggested that Jones be the singer, as his dad was a singer back in the sixties who supported Roy Orbison. In 1986 the band recorded a demo under the name "Zephyr". When Jones went on holiday the band played a gig without him, which resulted in Jones leaving the band and Jones and Cable going their separate ways. Jones, Rosser and Davies formed their own R&B band called "Silent Runner" while Cable joined a glam-rock band named "King Catwalk" on drums.
A few years later, Cable was sacked from the band. A few weeks later, Cable waved to Jones from a bus, and Jones, who was standing at a bus stop, waved back. It was the first contact they had since Zephyr had broken up. Two weeks later, Jones and Cable started speaking again. They agreed to give the band another go, but Cable only wanted to play their own songs. Jones agreed. The duo invited Mark Everett to play for them on bass guitar and Jones then started writing his own songs.
Everett went on holiday for two weeks but Jones and Cable wanted to continue rehearsing, so Jones invited long-time friend Richard Jones to fill in for Everett. Stunned by Richard's appearance and bass playing, Cable convinced Kelly to keep him instead of Everett. The band decided they needed another member to play lead guitar. Simon Collier was the first guitarist brought in. He did not stay in the band, but instead became Kelly's guitar technician. The band tried hiring two other guitarists, another Richard Jones and Glenn Hyde. Neither stayed for long. Hyde did, however, play harmonica on "Rooftop" for the band's 2001 album Just Enough Education to Perform×Just Enough Education to Perform9 April 2001 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Vegas Two Times4:292Lying in the Sun4:313Mr Writer5:194Step on My Old Size Nines4:015Have a Nice Day3:256Nice to Be Out3:097Watch Them Fly Sundays3:308Everyday I Think of Money3:259Maybe4:3510Caravan Holiday3:1311Rooftop6:18Disc 21Hurry Up and Wait (live acoustic)5:362Don't Let Me Down (live acoustic)4:353Mr. Writer (live acoustic)5:26. After Hyde left, the band stuck as a three-piece act.

Name change and V2 Records (1992–1996)

Kelly, Richard and Cable began writing and performing music in working men's clubs together in 1992 as a band known as "Tragic Love Company", a name inspired by their favourite bands (the Tragically Hip, Mother Love Bone and Bad Company). After Tragic Love Company supported Smalltown Heroes in the Borderline Club, London, they met Marshall Bird and Steve Bush who were interested in producing for the band. The band agreed and recorded a demo for "A Thousand Trees×A Thousand Trees4 August 1997 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1A Thousand Trees3:032Carrot Cake and Wine4:273A Thousand Trees (live)3:39".
Wayne Coleman organised a series of concerts throughout South Wales after receiving a demo from the band. Wayne liked it a lot but hated the band name and told them they wouldn't be performing unless they changed it. After Cable read the manufacturer name of a gramophone, "Falcon Stereophonic", he told Kelly and the band agreed to change their name to "the Stereophonics". In March 1996, the band played a gig at their local Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare with Catatonia along with local bands Krazy Keyboards (later to become Dylan Thorn), and the Pocket Devils. When the band finished their slot, John Brand approached them and he became their manager. Brand managed to get over 35 record companies in the UK interested in signing the Stereophonics. In May 1996, they signed with V2, the first artists to be signed to newly formed record label. Upon signing, they dropped "the" from their name and simply became "Stereophonics".

Debut album and ascent to fame (1997–2000)

In August 1997, the band released their first studio album, Word Gets Around×Word Gets Around25 August 1997 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11A Thousand Trees3:042Looks Like Chaplin2:323More Life in a Tramps Vest2:204Local Boy in the Photograph3:225Traffic4:546Not Up to You4:377Check My Eyelids for Holes2:438Same Size Feet4:009Last of the Big Time Drinkers2:4510Goldfish Bowl3:0211Too Many Sandwiches5:0312Billy Davey’s Daughter3:50Disc 21More Life in a Tramps Vest2:342A Thousand Trees3:163Traffic5:374Local Boy in the Photograph3:33, which reached number six in the UK Albums chart, from which five singles were released. The debut single, released 25 November 1996, was "Looks Like Chaplin". Afterwards, the band embarked on a successful world tour.

In February 1998, the band received a BRIT Award for Best New Group. In the same week, the band re-released the single "Local Boy in the Photograph×Local Boy in the Photograph17 March 1997 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Local Boy in the Photograph3:252Looks Like Chaplin2:333Too Many Sandwiches4:314Buy Myself a Small Plane3:15", which in turn reached number fourteen in the UK Singles chart. The band's debut album, Word Gets Around, also went gold in the UK.
In November 1998, "The Bartender and the Thief×The Bartender and the Thief9 November 1998 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1The Bartender and the Thief3:122She Takes Her Clothes Off4:003The Bartender and the Thief (live)3:284Traffic (live)6:085Raymonds Shop (live)3:55" (the first single from the album Performance and Cocktails×Performance and Cocktails27 February 1999 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Roll Up and Shine3:582The Bartender and the Thief2:543Hurry Up and Wait4:404Pick a Part That's New3:345Just Looking4:136Half the Lies You Tell Ain't True2:567I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio3:508T-Shirt Sun Tan4:059Is Yesterday, Tomorrow, Today?4:0210A Minute Longer3:4611She Takes Her Clothes Off3:5612Plastic California4:3113I Stopped to Fill My Car Up4:30) was released, eventually reaching number three on the UK charts. "Just Looking×Just Looking22 February 1999 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Just Looking4:072Postmen do not Great Movie Heroes Make2:363Sunny Afternoon3:38" was released next and reached number four in March 1999. In that same month, the album was released, entering at number one and going platinum within three weeks. Later that year, the band played in front of 50,000 people at Morfa Stadium in Swansea. The concert was filmed and released on DVD the following year. They also collaborated with Tom Jones on a cover of the Randy Newman song "Mama Told Me Not to Come×Mama Told Me Not to Come6 March 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Mama Told Me Not to Come3:012Sex Bomb (Peppermint Disco Radio Mix)3:543Looking Out My Window3:204Mama Told Me Not to Come (Mama Turtled Me Not to K mix)7:065Mama Told Me Not to Come (The Rotten remix)3:51", for the Tom Jones album Reload.
Throughout 1998 and 1999, the band toured in Europe, Australia and the US. On 12 June 1998, Stereophonics played to over 10,000 spectators in the grounds of Cardiff Castle in Wales. Footage of the concert was released on VHS and DVD, titled Live at Cardiff Castle.

Mainstream success (2001–2004)

The band released their third album, Just Enough Education to Perform×Just Enough Education to Perform9 April 2001 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Vegas Two Times4:292Lying in the Sun4:313Mr Writer5:194Step on My Old Size Nines4:015Have a Nice Day3:256Nice to Be Out3:097Watch Them Fly Sundays3:308Everyday I Think of Money3:259Maybe4:3510Caravan Holiday3:1311Rooftop6:18Disc 21Hurry Up and Wait (live acoustic)5:362Don't Let Me Down (live acoustic)4:353Mr. Writer (live acoustic)5:26, in April 2001. The album included the track "Mr. Writer×Mr. Writer23 February 2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Mr. Writer (live acoustic version)5:312Hurry Up and Wait (live acoustic version)5:383Don’t Let Me Down (live acoustic version)4:41", which includes lyrics that criticise a critic who the band believe gave them a negative review. The album also contained "Have a Nice Day×Have a Nice Day11 June 2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Have a Nice Day (live acoustic version)4:462Heart of Gold (live acoustic version)3:203I Stopped to Fill My Car Up (live acoustic version)5:26", which reached number five in the UK charts. To promote the new album, Just Enough Education to Perform, Stereophonics played a two-day festival, which was called A Day at the Races. This event was held in Donington Park on the first day and at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on the second. The concerts were supported by Ash, Black Crowes and the Crocketts, with Proud Mary playing Donington only. Over 200,000 separate tickets were sold for the weekend festival. The performance was released on a DVD in 2002.
2003 saw the release of their fourth album, titled You Gotta Go There to Come Back×You Gotta Go There to Come Back28 May 2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Help Me (She’s Out of Her Mind)6:552Maybe Tomorrow4:333Madame Helga3:554You Stole My Money Honey4:185Getaway4:096Climbing the Wall4:557Jealousy4:268I’m Alright (You Gotta Go There to Come Back)4:379Nothing Precious at All4:2010Rainbows and Pots of Gold4:1111I Miss You Now4:5112High as the Ceiling3:2013Since I Told You It’s Over4:43. In September 2003, drummer Stuart Cable was sacked. According to reports, it was because of his lack of commitment to the band. Cable, at the time, presented a TV show called "Cable TV" and felt that the band would never improve. Because of this, he missed several rehearsals and live concerts. He was eventually replaced by Javier Weyler. Steve Gorman, from the Black Crowes, stood in for Cable during the band's live performances until Weyler was appointed. When asked about Cable leaving the band in a 2010 interview with Rip It Up magazine, Kelly Jones acknowledged the difficulty of the situation.
Towards the end of the year, Stereophonics performed a sold-out tour of the UK, ending with a Christmas show at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, supported by Feeder, Ocean Colour Scene and Adam Masterson. The show was closed with a version of "Merry Xmas Everybody", originally recorded by Slade. The group took a break after their 2003–2004 world tour, which included a set at the Manchester Move Festival in July 2004.

Drummer changes and Stuart Cable's death (2005–2010)

Their fifth studio album, Language. Sex. Violence. Other?×Language. Sex. Violence. Other?9 March 2005 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Superman5:082Doorman3:493Brother4:054Devil4:415Dakota4:576Rewind4:467Pedalpusher3:188Girl2:009Lolita3:2610Deadhead3:3411Feel3:45 was released in March 2005. It marked their first recording with new drummer Javier Weyler. The band achieved their first number one hit in the UK singles charts with the album's first single, "Dakota×Dakota28 February 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Dakota4:592Dakota (Footswitch Rework)4:003Soul (demo)2:194Dakota (video)4:03". The second single from the album was "Superman×Superman20 June 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Superman5:092Outside2:53". However, that song did not repeat the success of "Dakota", peaking at number thirteen. After "Superman" came "Devil×Devil19 September 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Devil4:392Dapper Dan (Live From Tower Bridge Rehearsals)3:00", featuring a controversial video and reaching number eleven in the charts. The album was expected to win the Pop Factory award at the end of the year for Best Welsh Album, but were not even nominated. Feeder's Pushing the Senses would win the award.
On 2 July 2005, the group appeared at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, London, playing to their biggest audience yet. The band were also scheduled to support Oasis for a number of dates across Europe, in early 2006, but pulled out due to family commitments. 2006 also saw the release of Stereophonics' first live album, Live from Dakota×Live From Dakota3 April 2006 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Superman5:022Doorman4:013A Thousand Trees3:264Devil4:475Mr. Writer5:326Pedalpusher3:217Deadhead3:178Maybe Tomorrow4:259The Bartender and the Thief3:4910Local Boy in the Photograph4:04Disc 21Hurry Up and Wait5:132Madame Helga3:513Vegas Two Times3:544Carrot Cake and Wine4:495I'm Alright5:116Jayne4:097Too Many Sandwiches6:318Traffic5:089Just Looking5:1910Dakota6:27. The album is a two-disc compilation, featuring twenty tracks spanning all five of the band's albums and capturing the best of their 2005 world tour. Rather than being a recording of a single show, the tour was recorded every night and the band picked out the best version of each song individually. The album also features a track titled "Jayne", later released as part of Kelly Jones' solo album, Only the Names Have Been Changed.
Pull the Pin was released in the UK on 15 October 2007, along with a download-only taster; "Bank Holiday Monday". The track was also available for free to people who pre-ordered tickets for the band's concerts in 2007. The album was written and recorded by November 2006 but held back for release until late 2007. "It Means Nothing×It Means Nothing2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAIt Means Nothing3:48BBank Holiday Monday3:14" was the first single of the album, released in September before the LP was released a week later on 15 October. The album contains twelve songs and reached number one in the UK's official album chart. The next single, "My Friends×My Friends2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1My Friends3:352Nitedrive3:023Gimme Shelter (live from Tower Bridge Rehearsals)4:054My Friends (live)3:45", reached number thirty-two in the UK charts, their poorest chart performance since "More Life in a Tramps Vest" from their debut album.
On 20 May 2007, at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Preston, the band were joined on stage by Casino frontman Adam Zindani. Zindani continued to tour with the band for the remainder of the Pull the Pin tour, playing lead guitar and backing vocals. He has been credited for writing and performing on two of the band's new tracks, "You're My Star" and "My Own Worst Enemy". On "You're My Star", he sings backing vocals and plays lead guitar, whereas on "My Own Worst Enemy" he only plays lead guitar. In November 2008, Stereophonics released their first greatest hits compilation, Decade in the Sun.
On 8 December 2009, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games announced the line up for performers for the nightly Victory Ceremonies. These ceremonies included 30 minutes of entertainment from the evening's host province/territory, 30 minutes of medal presentations, and a one-hour performance by a musical talent. Stereophonics performed their song "I Got Your Number" at this event on 20 February – Yukon Night. The band's seventh album, titled Keep Calm and Carry On×Keep Calm and Carry On10 November 2009 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1She's Alright3:272Innocent3:413Beerbottle3:544Trouble3:045Could You Be the One?3:526I Got Your Number3:227Uppercut4:168Live 'n' Love3:459100MPH4:1510Wonder3:4411Stuck in a Rut3:0712Show Me How4:45, was released on 16 November 2009. They decided on this name after seeing a poster in the White Horse pub in Richmond where they spent a lot of time whilst recording the album. The album's debut single was "Innocent". The second single from the album, "Could You Be the One?", was released on 15 February 2010. The band embarked on a seven-date tour to support the new album in March 2010 playing at Aberdeen, Newcastle, Glasgow, Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield and London. with support from Glasgow band Hip Parade.
On 5 June 2010, Stereophonics played the first-ever gig at the Cardiff City Stadium with support from unsigned South Wales band 4th Street Traffic, followed by Kids in Glass Houses and Doves. The concert, known as "Summer in the City", was played to a sold-out audience of 30,000. Two days later, original drummer Stuart Cable was found dead in his home in Aberdare having choked on his own vomit after binge drinking. After the Keep Calm and Carry On Tour concluded, and their contract with Universal at an end, Kelly Jones wanted to change the way the band worked and so decided to take a break from writing and recording an album every two years.

More Drummer changes, Graffiti on the Train, Keep the Village Alive and Scream Above the Sounds (2011–2018)

On 3 March 2011, Stereophonics announced that they were working on new music in the studio. In July 2012 it was announced that Weyler and the band had parted company. It was announced on 24 September 2012 that Jamie Morrison, former drummer for Noisettes, had replaced Weyler in the band. On 8 October 2012, Stereophonics released the video to a track titled "Violins and Tambourines" from the upcoming album. On 4 November, the first single from the new album, "In a Moment×In a Moment4 November 2012 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1In a Moment5:25", was released as a free download from the band's website. On the same day, NME.com reported that the album would be titled Graffiti on the Train×Graffiti on the Train27 February 2013 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1We Share the Same Sun3:442Graffiti on the Train5:033Indian Summer4:274Take Me3:515Catacomb3:146Roll the Dice4:047Violins and Tambourines5:008Been Caught Cheating4:219In a Moment5:2510No-one's Perfect4:00. The album was released on 4 March 2013. Second single preceding the album, "Indian Summer" was released in January 2013; by 10 March it had peaked at number 30 in the UK, making it their group's first UK top-40 single since 2007. A third single, the album's title track, was released on 13 May.
In late September 2014, it was announced that a new album has been mixed and that it should be released in 2015. On 21 March 2015, Stereophonics performed in Bristol and in London's Royal Albert Hall and debuted 3 new songs "C'est La Vie×C'est La Vie12 May 2015 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1C'est La Vie3:40", "I Wanna Get Lost With You×I Wanna Get Lost With You21 July 2015 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1I Wanna Get Lost With You3:50" and "Song for the Summer" which are to be on their 9th album Keep the Village Alive×Keep the Village Alive9 September 2015 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11C’est la vie3:402White Lies3:543Sing Little Sister3:254I Wanna Get Lost With You3:495Song for the Summer2:536Fight or Flight3:417My Hero3:478Sunny4:199Into the World4:0310Mr and Mrs Smith6:4911C'Est La Vie (live From the Royal Albert Hall)3:5312My Own Worst Enemy (Stripped)4:03Disc 21Ancient Rome4:432Let Me In4:063Blame (You Never Give Me Your Money)4:364You Are My Energy3:595You’re My Star (acoustic)5:226I Wanna Get Lost With You (acoustic)4:17 with the release date of 11 September. "C'est la Vie" was released as the first single of the album. In September 2015 the band appeared on BBC Two's Later... with Jools Holland. During the Keep the Summer Alive Tour, Kelly Jones announced he would like to release the band's tenth studio album "before next summer" to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Word Gets Around×Word Gets Around25 August 1997 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11A Thousand Trees3:042Looks Like Chaplin2:323More Life in a Tramps Vest2:204Local Boy in the Photograph3:225Traffic4:546Not Up to You4:377Check My Eyelids for Holes2:438Same Size Feet4:009Last of the Big Time Drinkers2:4510Goldfish Bowl3:0211Too Many Sandwiches5:0312Billy Davey’s Daughter3:50Disc 21More Life in a Tramps Vest2:342A Thousand Trees3:163Traffic5:374Local Boy in the Photograph3:33, rather than release a compilation album.
On 27 July 2017 the band announced Scream Above the Sounds as the title for the album and will be released on 27 October 2017. It became available to pre-order on the same day. The album was released under the new distribution label "Parlophone", as the band parted ways with the old label V2. The band released "All In One Night×All in One Night2017 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1All in One Night5:17" on the same day as the lead single from it. On 4 September 2017 "Caught By The Wind" was released as the second single from the album followed by "Before Anyone Knew Our Name" as the third single on 20 October 2017.They released the album's fourth and final single, "What's All the Fuss About?" on 4 December 2017. They embarked on the Scream Above The Sounds tour in 2018.

Kind and Oochya! (2019–2024)

In January 2019, Stereophonics announced two shows as part of Forest Live, the summer concert series promoted by the Forestry Commission: 13 June at Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire and 23 June at Thetford Forest, near Brandon, Suffolk. Kind became their seventh number-one album later that year.
In March 2020 the band came under criticism from both the public and medical professionals for playing two gigs on the 14th and 15 March at the Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena while COVID-19 cases were steadily increasing in the UK. In the week prior to the event, a Six Nations match featuring Wales vs Scotland was cancelled due to COVID concerns, as was a Cardiff City football match versus Leeds United. The shows were the last major music event to take place in Wales, with the first COVID-19 lockdowns being implemented in England and Wales on March 23.
On November, Dave Roden, a sound engineer for the band, spoke publicly about the show. He claimed they had expected guidance from local authorities, or the police around the event, and that as the Welsh Government had stated that "cancelling mass gatherings was not required", the band decided to go ahead. In March 2024 the shows were highlighted during the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, with Baroness Hallett, who was leading the enquiry, stating that "You allow the mass event to go ahead, it gives the public the impression everything is fine."
Originally intending to release another greatest hits album, the band announced their twelfth album, Oochya!×Oochya!4 March 2022 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Hanging on Your Hinges2:572Forever4:253When You See It4:224Do Ya Feel My Love3:585Right Place Right Time4:426Close Enough to Drive Home4:067Leave the Light On4:558Running Round My Brain3:309Every Dog Has Its Day4:4910You’re My Soul5:2211All I Have Is You5:4512Made a Mess of Me4:0013Seen That Look Before4:2414Don’t Know What Ya Got4:5015Jack in a Box2:17 on 6 September 2021. It became their eighth number-one album. The band was due to play two gigs in December 2021, at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. However, these were postponed due to the omicron variant of COVID-19 spreading in Wales.
On 18 June 2022, the postponed concerts took place at the Principality Stadium, and was broadcast live on BBC One Wales and BBC Two, with special guest Sir Tom Jones.

Make 'Em Laugh, Make 'Em Cry, Make 'Em Wait (2024/25–present)

On 7 October 2024, the band announced a world tour, "Stadium Anthems Summer '25," to accompany their as-yet unnamed upcoming studio album. Tickets went on sale in the UK on 11 October, with subsequent venues being released gradually.
On 30 January 2025, the band announced their 13th studio album Make 'Em Laugh, Make 'Em Cry, Make 'Em Wait×Make 'em Laugh, Make 'em Cry, Make 'em Wait25 April 2025 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Make It on Your Own5:212There's Always Gonna Be Something4:033Seems Like You Don't Know Me3:374Colours of October2:465Eyes Too Big for My Belly2:436Mary Is a Singer3:207Backroom Boys4:128Feeling of Falling We Crave3:44 which would be released on 25 April. The same day, they released their first single from that album, "There's Always Gonna Be Something×There's Always Gonna Be Something30 January 2025 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1There’s Always Gonna Be Something4:03", which peaked at 100 on the UK Official Singles Downloads Chart.

Other projects

On 9 October 2007, a retrospective DVD was released in the United States, Rewind: The First 10 Years. The DVD is a double disc with a runtime of nearly four hours. Much of this footage was recorded around the time that the You Gotta Go There to Come Back album was being recorded. This is because a similar band history DVD was listed for release shortly after that album but was never released, due to the departure of Stuart Cable. This explains Jones' hairstyle (circa 2003/2004) in the interview footage and the appearance of Stuart and the rest of the band freely talking about their togetherness and solidarity as the original three members. The original footage was updated by adding further footage to the end, bringing it up to date with the band's fifth album. Stuart does not appear on any of the extra footage. Availability coincides with the US re-release of the Language.Sex.Violence.Other? DVD, and the worldwide digital debut of their latest studio album, Pull the Pin×Pull the Pin10 October 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Soldiers Make Good Targets4:372Pass the Buck3:243It Means Nothing3:494Bank Holiday Monday3:145Daisy Lane3:386Stone4:177My Friends3:358I Could Lose Ya3:189Bright Red Star3:4010Ladyluck3:4611Crush3:5612Drowning5:09.
In 2007, Jones released a solo album, titled Only the Names Have Been Changed, while recording the band's sixth studio album, Pull the Pin. The album contains ten tracks (all named after women) and features minimal instrumentation. The album also includes the song "Jayne", a previously unreleased Stereophonics track featured on the live album Live from Dakota×Live From Dakota3 April 2006 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Superman5:022Doorman4:013A Thousand Trees3:264Devil4:475Mr. Writer5:326Pedalpusher3:217Deadhead3:178Maybe Tomorrow4:259The Bartender and the Thief3:4910Local Boy in the Photograph4:04Disc 21Hurry Up and Wait5:132Madame Helga3:513Vegas Two Times3:544Carrot Cake and Wine4:495I'm Alright5:116Jayne4:097Too Many Sandwiches6:318Traffic5:089Just Looking5:1910Dakota6:27 and the Rewind×Rewind21 November 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Rewind4:452Hammerhead2:58 DVD.
Stereophonics also performed the original opening theme tune for the TV series Long Way Round. The song's lyrics were slightly altered for the follow-up series, Long Way Down, Long Way Up, and Long Way Home.