Stereophonics at the Waterfront Hall 2013

As a surprise I got tickets to see the Stereophonics in the Waterfront Hall on the 7th of March. I knew I left it late to get tickets (I only began looking about tickets on the Monday beforehand). I first went to a Ticketmaster Outlet in the City Centre (in DV8 on Castle Place). I enquired, but there was no tickets left as Ticketmaster only get a quota of tickets. Next, I rang the Waterfront directly - they had sold out of tickets as well. Disappointed, but undeterred I then searched on Gumtree. You'd be surprised what bargains you can find on Gumtree and you can pretty much get most things your looking for. I was lucky and found someone selling seated tickets for the asking price. It is hateful when people ask for an extortionate amount of money for something which can reasonable - especially concert tickets. If looking for sold out tickets for concerts, Gumtree is a good place to look (especially if on the day, as people want a fast sale). Yet, it can be risky leaving it to the last minute and you may not get what your looking for.

So on Thursday the 7th of March around 7pm we went to the Waterfront Hall. We just had a lovely dinner in the Morningstar, so we just went to our allocated seats to chill out before the support act came on. The support act was Gareth Dunlop, a local singer from Belfast. He's very famous in the United States of America (in Nashville in particular) and in 2011 was named as 'Young Songwriter of the Year' at the Annual Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival. Songs of his have featured in popular t.v. shows such as 'One Tree Hill' and 'Cougar Town'. Most recently his song 'Wrap your arms around me' was featured in the film 'Safe Haven'.

Gareth sung solo for this concert. I really enjoyed his style of singing and how it was only him with an acoustic guitar on stage. I'd definitely go and see him again...it's music that you can sit and relax to with a drink or even to have it on in the background when in the house...

There was half a hour intermission, then Stereophonics came on. The Stereophonics are a Welsh alternative rock group which formed in 1992. They've featured in some of the United Kingdom's and Ireland's most popular festivals such as: Oxygen, Glastonbury, V festival, Isle of Wight and Reading and Leeds. I've enjoyed their music since I was a teenager to present; and they've been on my list to see for quite awhile. The intimate setting of the Waterfront Hall was great for this concert. We had fantastic seats and were seated close to the stage, on an upper right balcony.

I really enjoyed the concert - they played songs from both the past and their present album 'Graffiti On The Train'. I'd recommend to check out their new album, I have it on for when I do work for university. I loved it when they played my favourites ('Dakota' and 'Indian Summer').  I hope to see them at Oxygen later this year... Stereophonics have recently released their dates and venues for their UK Tour in November of this year.

Friday 8th - GLASGOW, Hydro Arena

Saturday 9th - ABERDEEN, AECC

Monday 11th -BELFAST, Odyssey Arena

Thursday 14th - MANCHESTER Arena

Friday 15th - LEEDS, Arena

Saturday 16th - NEWCASTLE, Metro Radio Arena

Monday 18th - NOTTINGHAM, Capital FM Arena

Tuesday 19th - BIRMINGHAM, LG Arena

Thursday 21st - BRIGHTON, Centre

Friday 22nd - BOURNEMOUTH, International Centre

Sunday 24th - CARDIFF, Motorpoint Arena

Monday 25th - CARDIFF, Motorpoint Arena

Thursday 28th - LONDON, The O2

I'd really recommend to see both Gareth Dunlop and the Stereophonics. Next time I'd get standing tickets (just as I think the atmosphere is better). Roll on Biffy Clyro at the end of March - I just love live music!