Having just released their debut studio record ‘Fear Life for a Lifetime’, the public interest in Liverpool quartet STONE is at an all-time high. In support of the record, they stopped by Wedgewood Rooms on Sunday (27th) night as part of their tour, which sees them travel from Exeter through Leeds and everywhere in-between.
Most would have seen them opening for various groups over the past few years, with Inhaler and DMA’s notable acts they were billed under. However, it’s their own shows where their visions come to life most. With space and time to put on the full works, it is under the guise of this latest tour that sees STONE at, arguably, their best incarnation yet.
Running their way through songs old and new, there’s little time for the band to stop and chat. Song after song passes by, and the band appear to be speaking solely through their music. Opening with album track Train, there’s a real ferocity that comes bursting through the speakers. The drum-heavy intro setting the pace for the rest of the night as guitarist Elliot jumps about the stage erratically.
Having just the one record so far, the band put forward a credible setlist which interwove their earlier singles between album tracks. Songs like ‘I Gotta Feeling’ bled perfectly into ‘Sold My Soul’, to a much deserved reception from the audience. ‘If you Wanna’ brought forward their infamous hook-heavy sound, demonstrating to the crowd just why they’ve managed to climb the ranks to where they stand today. ‘Money (Hope Aint Gone)’ is a clear standout song in their catalogue, and you could tell both band and audience believed this.
In the support slot tonight was Portsmouth locals The Straights. A great blend of modern punk with straight-forward blistering rock and roll, they clearly came to play as they took the audience through a no-filler slot. On and off stage in what felt like moments, it was refreshing to see a band be so alert and have so much agency for a Sunday night support. Before leaving the stage, they confirmed new tunes would be coming soon: definitely ones to watch. A perfect warm-up for what turned out to be a night jam packed with unapologeitc rock music.
Fin Power (vocals) seemed more reserved than usual- he has certainly shown in shows gone by that he’s not scared of a mosh-pit or two. irrespective of this, it is clear from the faces of the crowd as they leave The Wedgewood Rooms that STONE had delivered beyond expectations. The sound and act of a band about to take off into the stratosphere, STONE are more than deserving of their burgeoning status as hot on the heels of the modern indie greats.
