Stereophonics Going There

The Stereophonics are back with their fourth – and some say most rocking album – and are out to make good on its title. You Gotta Go There To Come Back pretty much sums up the Welsh band’s tour schedule, which finds the trio taking on Japan, North America, Europe and the U.K. all before year’s end.

The ‘Phonics tour launches with a four-date series of Virgin Megastore performances in New York City, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles in September. The shows will be special, stripped down events. Then, the band kicks off a six-gig, full band tour, which includes one stop in Canada.

Prior to the North American dates, the Stereophonics will be in Japan playing the Summer Sonic shows. Their European tour, which includes two-night stands in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and London, runs from October 2 and stops just days before Christmas.

Although the group doesn’t get nearly as much radio airplay Stateside as they do in their native land, the Stereophonics do a good job of packing the theatres here. Their most recent U.S. excursion was over the winter of 2002 when Irish rockers JJ72 supported.