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Wales Online
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Wales Online
We waited nine months to move back into our flooded flats. As we were packing it happened again
We waited nine months to move back into our flooded flats. As we were packing it happened again 'We're all completely broken', said one resident of a set of ground-floor flats which have flooded three times Kim Fjaelberg was getting ready to move back into her home that had been destroyed by flooding in June when another flood occurred (Image: John Myers ) At a block of flats in Bridgend 10 ground-floor properties are in ruins. The carpets and flooring and have been ripped up, kitchen units have been pulled out, and there are no personal belongings left behind. After being flooded out of their homes in September 2024 the residents of these flats were packing up any belongings they did manage to save ready to move back in in mid-June when water poured into the flats once more. Now they are back to square one. Although devastated none of them are surprised. They have been warning those in authority that they were at risk for years. They say nobody is listening. Every time it rains they worry about a culvert which sits at the back of the property underneath a railway line. They believe that it has been the cause of the three floods – in 2012, 2024, and 2025 – that have occurred since residents moved in after the flats were built in the mid-2000s. "We've just been left," says 66-year-old Kim Fjaelberg, who has lived at Caer Castell House in Brackla since around 2007. She lived at the flat with her late husband who died in 2008 but Kim says all memories of the flat have now been ruined because of trauma. She just wants out. Since September she has been staying with different friends and is now paying £800 a month for an Airbnb. "I haven't got a home anymore," she says. Article continues below Rhys Woosnam, 43, has lived at Caer Castell House since 2010 and been through all three devastating incidents. He says the repeated flooding has caused him to lose everything. The 10 ground flats have been destroyed by a flood on three occasions (Image: John Myers ) Rhys, who woke up to two to three feet of water in his flat last September, says: "It's an absolutely horrendous situation. We've been raising these concerns for over a decade and feel as though we've been neglected. "It took me 10 years to get back on my feet after the first flood and then the second one happened. My mum passed away last year and I lost all our family photos. It's just broken us all – especially now a third flood has happened. "I've got very few financial options left apart from bankruptcy. That's the very real next step I need to look at because I'm paying for a property I can't live in. My property isn't worth what it was when I bought it. "I'm just broken really – that's where I think everyone is." The state of the bathroom floor (Image: John Myers ) One elderly resident, Elaine Munn, had managed to move back in just before the June flood as she had paid for a contractor to carry out the work separately. She had to be rescued by the fire service for the second time in nine months in order to escape her flooded home. He daughter, Kay Evans, said the whole situation is "traumatising". The cause of the 2012 flood was determined to be debris blocking one of the culverts near the flat. After this flood Rhys and other residents say they tried to engage with Bridgend council and Network Rail but claimed their concerns were "repeatedly ignored". " There was a general feeling that there was an issue with the culvert because it seemed to be running quite high a lot of the time. But nothing was ever done. We tried to get answers from the council and Network Rail but no one ever actioned everything," claims Rbys. Desperate to prove their concerns about the culvert after the devastation of the September flood the ground-floor residents chipped in to pay £1,200 for an independent engineers' assessment which found that the culvert feeding under the Network Rail line is "significantly undersized and incapable of handling the volume of water from the surrounding catchment during periods of heavy rainfall". Rhys says that this report was passed to Network Rail and the council which was "passed off". Kay Evans in her mum Elaine Munn's flat. Elaine has had to be rescued from Caer Castell House by the fire service on two separate occasions (Image: John Myers ) The distress they understandably experience after waking up to water flooding into their homes, causing them to lose irreplaceable belongings and thousands of pounds, is compounded by the lack of support they allege they have received from relevant authorities. These include Bridgend County Borough Council, Network Rail who own the land where one of the culverts which residents believe is problematic is located, and property managing agents Lambert Smith Hampton. Lambert Smith Hampton say a review of the most recent flood found that the cause was a culvert at the rear of the property "which is no longer fit for purpose". They added that this area is not managed by them "so the responsibility to find a resolution falls to Bridgend council and Network Rail". Elaine Munn being rescued during the flood in June (Image: Rhys Woosnam ) Bridgend council say the matter is "complicated" due to there being three separate culverts and multiple land owners "all of whom hold different responsibilities". They say they are working with partners and land owners to find a solution and are "hugely sympathetic" to the residents' situation. Network Rail are yet to respond to our request for a statement on the situation. "It's just complete abandonment from everyone," Rhys says. "We've tried MPs, councillors, Senedd members but all we have been receiving is tokenistic replies to say they are sorry for our situation and that's that." Caer Castell House in Brackla, Bridgend (Image: John Myers ) Just weeks after the residents were flooded out of Caer Castell House in September homes and businesses in Pontypridd were flooded during Storm Bert in November. Rhys says that the apparent immediate response by those in authority was a "a bit of a slap in the face" for the residents. Deputy first minister Huw Irranca Davies announced the Welsh Government would be funding local councils to provide grants of £1,000 to residents affected by Storm Bert flooding. "We were left to fend for ourselves," Rhys says. "We were told that funded compensation like that can't be made retrospectively. If I was planning to have a flood I might have asked for it up front but that's not not how it works." The residents have been out of their homes since September 2024 (Image: John Myers ) Rhys also says it took news reports on the flooding in June before the group received a response from the leader of Bridgend council John Spanswick. "My mental health has suffered," Kim adds. "We've never had anything – we had no compensation in 2012 and we've had no compensation since. We've just been left and now we're going through all of it again." When asked if she would consider moving back to the flat she rents at Caer Castell House Kim says she would not. "If they had sorted the culvert out maybe I would have thought about going back but nothing's been done. I have trauma – every time it rains I'm questioning: 'Am I going to be all right?'" Residents paid for an independent report which found that the culvert at the back of the property was 'inadequate' (Image: John Myers ) As the property has been flooded before most of the residents did not have contents insurance so any financial loss suffered due to belongings being damaged or destroyed was not covered. Through a service charge agreement the properties have building insurance, which is how the restoration work that none of the residents got to see for themselves due to the June flood was paid for. However this does mean that residents like Rhys are paying £1500 for a service charge on a property they can't live in. "I spoke to the building management firm, Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), after the June flood and they said they are sending out full demands for service charges and if it's not paid then they will take action," Rhys says. Kim is now on the waiting list for a council house as she is too scared to go back to the flat she rents (Image: John Myers ) LSH said they have a legal obligation to enforce the service charge and an obligation to maintain the site and the building using the funds accrued from the application of the service charge. Stay informed on Bridgend news by signing up to our newsletter here As well as the worries about how they will pay for the service charge Rhys is also worried that they may still have to pay council tax despite not being in the property. Since the September flood Bridgend council have provided residents with council tax relief though they have not confirmed in writing whether the residents will have to pay double council tax to cover this when they move back in. "They may say that it was proper council tax relief but, from what I've been able to work out from messages and bills, when we return it could double to compensate for the time it's been empty," Rhys says. Work on the properties had nearly been completed when another flood occurred in June (Image: John Myers ) A spokesman for Bridgend County Borough Council said: 'The council remains hugely sympathetic to all residents who have been affected by incidents of flooding that have occurred at Ty Caer Castell over the last few years. 'For some time now we have been working alongside a range of partners and landowners including Network Rail and Natural Resources Wales to consider suggestions that could potentially improve the overall situation and benefit the Ty Caer Castell site. 'The situation at Ty Caer Castell is complicated because there are three different culverts, one of which sits directly beneath the main Swansea to London railway line, as well as multiple land owners, all of whom hold different responsibilities. 'While the development was built in accordance with all relevant regulations and planning policies of the time the area has experienced localised flooding on three occasions. 'One of these was due to the culvert beneath the main railway line becoming blocked by fly-tipping and debris and the other two occasions occurred during periods of extremely heavy rainfall which overloaded the local watercourse and caused water to spill over the top. 'To try and mitigate against this a regular inspection scheme is in place for all of the culverts and the council has successfully applied for grant funding from Welsh Government towards the cost of installing a flood barrier in the form of a bund or embankment which will be installed this summer. 'All agencies and landowners need to consider whether infrastructure improvements could provide mitigation against any future risk. 'To help inform this work we have applied for additional funding to enable a full survey to be carried out which will review catchment and flow patterns within the watercourse. 'The council's housing service has provided appropriate advice and support for anyone who has been affected by the flooding incidents and who wants to source alternative accommodation on both a short or longer-term basis. 'We are committed towards involving residents within this process and are organising a meeting where we will be able to discuss the situation in further detail with them.' A spokesman for Natural Resources Wales said: "We are aware of the problem at Caer Castell House. It is not linked to main river flooding so Bridgend council is the appropriate risk management authority to lead on the matter. As we do for all flood risk management authorities we will provide advice and support to Bridgend council as and when requested." A Welsh Government spokesman said: 'Householder support is only considered as part of a wider emergency financial assistance scheme following large-scale emergencies. We continue to work with the risk management authority to determine how we can assist in reducing flood risk to the community.' A spokesman for Lambert Smith Hampton, the building management agents for Caer Castell House, said: "Following the most recent flood a review found that the cause of it was the culvert at the rear of the property, which is no longer fit for purpose. "Unfortunately this area falls outside of the managed area so the responsibility to find a resolution falls to Bridgend council and Network Rail. "We have agreed with the residents to assist in trying to help resolve this with the responsible parties. Residents of the ground floor advised that their service charge payment should be covered under insurance. "We then proceeded to conduct an investigation with the loss adjuster and were advised this was not the case due to lack of cessation clause in the lease. "As managing agents of the property we have a legal obligation to enforce the service charge and an obligation to maintain the site and the building using the funds accrued from the application of the service charge. "LSHR are regularly in contact with our client and await a decision on the payability of service charges by those affected by the flood but do not have the authority to make that determination by themselves. "LSHR are committed to providing quality service and assisting residents through all endeavours to the best of our ability. We have maintained constant communication and advised residents of all the information needed and will continue to assist in finding a resolution." Network Rail have been contacted for a statement on this matter. Article continues below
Wales Online
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
'Thanks for the memories' Sadness as Coney Beach prepares to close for good
'Thanks for the memories' Sadness as Coney Beach prepares to close for good Coney Beach Amusement Park in Porthcawl, South Wales, will close for good in October after more than 100 years of operation, with the Welsh Government set to redevelop the site Coney Beach will close in October (Image: John Myers ) The Evans family, owners of Coney Beach, have announced its final season, sparking a wave of nostalgia from generations of visitors who've enjoyed the Porthcawl fun park for more than a century. Described by past fair goers as "marking a true end of an era", the family has resolved to shut down the park. The family said they were "forever grateful" to have played a role in the lives of visitors across generations, leaving a lasting legacy behind. Established in 1918, Coney Beach Amusement Park remains in the memories of countless individuals in Wales, having been a staple for family and friendly gatherings. Since the announcement, messages have poured in, with many Wales Online readers saying the closure will leave a shadow over Porthcawl. For the local community, Coney Beach has long been a cherished part of their childhood memories. Read more: There are so many memories, I can't believe it's going The heartfelt missive from the family conveyed: "It is with heavy hearts we would like to share with you personally that this season at Coney Beach will be our last. We will be closing our gates for the final time this October. "It's the end of an era. For over 100 years we and other showmen and their families have lived and worked in Porthcawl helping to make it a busy seaside destination bringing fun, laughter, and fond memories to so many." Article continues below The Welsh Government has bought pieces of land along the seafront for a diverse redevelopment scheme set to include a new housing estate, retail business amenities, a fresh primary school, as well as various recreational and leisure facilities. Commenter Annette Pask says: 'So many childhood memories of the Miners Fortnight. Dirty Duck where we walked to the fair. The Hi Tide stunning meals in those days. We took my daughter twice a year and we still love it. So very very sad.' Girls on the helter-skelter ride at Coney Beach Amusement Park in August 1939 (Image: Getty Images ) Marvin E Wood agrees: 'I've regularly visited Coney Beach Porthcawl throughout my life and I'm in my 50s now but still visit often. I'll be doing so a few more times before it's closed. I think the town will regret it as there's very little else in Porthcawl for tourists or indeed locals.' Mick Rees points out: 'Unfortunately memories in today's world have little relevance. If people don't visit and operating costs go up, with little if any profit to be made, places like Coney Beach will inevitably disappear. It reaches a point where no one will invest to spruce it up or modernise it. The writing was on the wall years ago. Sad, but it's the way of the world.' Pauline Burch complains: 'They say they are closing it to make way for houses, shops and green spaces - that bit made me laugh. There used to be lots of green spaces around there before they ploughed it all up to build houses, flats and shops!' Iwan Dowie thinks: 'As much as I'm sad to see the fair go, I haven't been there for 15 years and I live up the road. Porthcawl can't be what it was in the 60's and 70's. Why - because most people are going to Benidorm or Portugal/Turkey for their two week holidays. All seaside towns in the UK are in the same situation unless you are a quaint Cornish fishing village.' Chris Davies agrees: 'Porthcawl will become a ghost town.' William Grandon replies: 'When Aberavon beach fair shut and the toilets and shops were demolished, the beach was empty. It was full of people before that. Be warned, Bridgend council, Port Talbot council wrecked our beach and now we only have one toilet in a 3 mile stretch.' Thelma Jackson remembers: 'We used to tow our caravan and stay in Porthcawl for two weeks, we absolutely loved it. The people there were always so friendly, so sad to read that it's closing.' James Bladen says sadly: "There will be nowhere to go soon in Wales, first Oakwood closed, now Porthcawl and it will be Barry island next. All the youth clubs have gone too, there is literally nowhere for the teens to go and they wonder why they just hang around and cause a nuisance.' Iris L Griffiths adds: 'Thanks for all the memories.' Article continues below Are you sad to see the fair go in Porthcawl? Tell us about your memories in our comments section.
Wales Online
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Stereophonics fans get last-minute chance to see Cardiff show as late tickets released
Stereophonics fans get last-minute chance to see Cardiff show as late tickets released There is one last chance to see the Stereophonics on home soil It's the second night of a huge homecoming for Stereophonics (Image: John Myers ) After a three-year hiatus Stereophonics made a triumphant return to the Principality Stadium on Friday. For those who missed out there's still a chance to catch them live in the Welsh capital. The band has announced a late batch of tickets for their show in Cardiff for Saturday, July 12, giving fans one last opportunity to experience hits like Dakota and C'est La Vie under the summer sun. Supporting them is fresh-faced Finn Forster and indie-pop group Blossoms adding to what promises to be a memorable weekend of music in the city. Gates open at 5pm with the show set to wrap up by 10.30pm. Both seated and standing tickets are currently available catering to all preferences. Tickets initially went on sale in October but this new batch provides a final chance to grab a spot. Seated tickets are available on Gigantic, starting at £57, though it's best to snap them up quickly before they're gone. You can find more information here. Fans looking for a more energetic experience can purchase standing tickets via where general admission standing and unreserved general seating are priced at £84.50, which can be accessed here. For everything you need to know about the gig click here. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . This summer, Stereophonics have been playing some of the UK and Ireland's biggest venues with their 2025 tour reaching its climax in Wales. The two nights at Principality Stadium, with its open roof, offer a spectacular setting to close out the tour – especially on what has been one of the hottest weekends of the year so far. READ MORE: Stereophonics' epic Cardiff gig proves that Wales' rock royalty still has it Ahead of their return to Cardiff frontman Kelly Jones said: "From seeing the Stones at the stadium in 1987 with my big brothers to then playing it for the fifth time to the Welsh people who have held us in their hearts all these years means the world to me. I'm so proud of the band and the people that got us here." Article continues below If you're in Cardiff and looking for a last-minute plan there's still time to grab tickets and see Stereophonics live before the tour moves on. Tickets for the Stereophonics final Welsh show can be found on Gigantic and by clicking the links.
Wales Online
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Stereophonics fans given major transport update hours before Cardiff show
Stereophonics fans given major transport update hours before Cardiff show The scorching heat has caused damaged a railway line near Pontypridd with services cancelled for the rest of Saturday The Stereophonics are performing at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, July 12 (Image: John Myers ) There is a huge transport update for fans heading to Stereophonics' second gig at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday. Transport for Wales (TfW) have been forced to cancel all services on two lines after the railway track was damaged by the heat on Wales' hottest day of the year. There are no services between Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare because of a track defect meaning that fans travelling from the south Wales Valleys will face significant disruption travelling to and from the gig. TfW warned that transport north of Pontypridd after the event "will be limited". You can follow our live updates on the disruption here. Infrastructure teams are working to restore the line but Network Rail say that no trains will be running on Saturday. Customers are being advised to continue to check before they travel for journeys for the rest of Saturday and into Sunday morning. Rail services are continuing to run between Cardiff Central and Pontypridd. TfW added that services are being strengthened where possible. Get the latest Ponty news first by signing up to our newsletter here. Article continues below Train tickets are also being accepted with Stagecoach between Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil, and Aberdare on services 60, 61, T4 and 78. The Treherbert line is unaffected by the track defect. A spokesman for Transport for Wales said on Saturday: 'Due to the heat the railway line has been damaged between Pontypridd and Merthyr and Aberdare. For safety reasons we've had to close this section of railway and will be unable to run any rail services on this line. Please do not travel between Pontypridd and Merthyr and Aberdare. 'Rail services are running between Cardiff Central and Pontypridd and services are strengthened where we can. Ticket acceptance is in place with Stagecoach between Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil, and Aberdare on services 60, 61, T4 and 78. 'Rail services will be busy, so please check before you travel and allow plenty of time. "We apologise to our passengers for the inconvenience caused and our infrastructure teams are working hard to restore the line. For the latest travel updates customers can check the TfW website and app: 'We are working with our infrastructure partners to rectify the issue as soon as possible. However we kindly ask customers to continue to check before they travel today, this evening, and into tomorrow. 'For the Stereophonics this evening we will be operating a full event queue and plan at Cardiff Central station and we advise customers to keep hydrated and cool if travelling across the network today. Travel north of Pontypridd towards Aberdare and Merthyr will be limited post-event with ticket acceptance in place on local bus services.' Due to the heat the Principality Stadium also issued an update to fans ahead of the Stereophonics' gigs. As temperatures are soaring above 30 degrees it's been confirmed fans can now take in collapsible 500ml water bottles (with lids removed) into the stadium. Article continues below These can be refilled for free from the water points across the concourse. The stadium is also advising fans to wear their suncream and stay hydrated. You can read our review of the 'Phonics' first night in Cardiff here.
Wales Online
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Stereophonics' epic Cardiff gig proves that Wales' rock royalty still has it
Stereophonics' epic Cardiff gig proves that Wales' rock royalty still has it Cardiff baked as Welsh icons Stereophonics swaggered back into the Principality Stadium Stereophonics put in a powerhouse performance under the Cardiff sun (Image: John Myers ) Trust the sun to come out for rock royalty. Cardiff baked as Welsh icons Stereophonics swaggered back into the Principality Stadium, bringing their aptly named Stadium Anthems tour and a couple of decades' worth of classic bangers behind them. Of course this isn't their first rodeo in Cardiff. They've rocked the capital on many occasions and the last time they performed in the stadium was in 2022, when they were flanked by the legend Sir Tom Jones, and the reviews glowed as brightly as Tom's tan. No pressure then. After performing at the UK and Ireland's biggest venues this year the 2025 summer tour culminates with a Wales homecoming with two nights rocking the roof-open stadium on one of the hottest days of the year so far. Fans were treated to their expansive catalogue including smash hits like Dakota, Have A Nice Day, Maybe Tomorrow, and A Thousand Trees as well as songs from their new studio album. The 'Phonics have developed an enduring success and unbreakable bond with long-standing fans who have supported the band since its early days. Phenomenal achievements so far include eight UK number one albums, matching the success of artists like Taylor Swift, Oasis, and R.E.M, 12 UK top 10 albums and 11 UK top 10 singles including the UK number one hit single Dakota. The powerhouse group has also sold more than 10m albums, had 1.5bn global streams, and won a Brit award . Article continues below Friday's buzzing performance saw charismatic frontman Kelly Jones masterfully leading the way, Richard Jones on bass guitar, Adam Zindani on lead guitar, Jamie Morrison on the drums, and Tony Kirkham on the keyboard. Formed in the tiny south Wales village of Cwmaman in 1992 the band had several different monikers in the early days. They signed with Richard Branson's V2 label in 1996 before releasing their debut record, Word Gets Around, in 1997. Alongside the late Stuart Cable on drums they carved out a distinctive, gravelly sound that rode the dying coattails of Britpop then promptly outlasted it. While others faded into the HMV bargain bins of history the 'Phonics doubled down on punchy riffs, working-class poetry, and choruses you can belt out in a boozer or the top tier of a packed stadium. Their distinctive blend of working-class grit, pub-rock swagger, and radio-friendly anthems turned them into chart fixtures. Thirteen studio albums later they're still belting out heartbreak and hope like it's 1999 and everyone's wearing bootcut jeans again. As a fan I was obviously delighted to attend the homecoming Wales gig. Scanning the crowd I could feel that the anticipation was high. Okay, not the Oasis levels of hysteria from earlier this month, but not far off. The support acts did their job with flair, warming up the crowd (as if it was needed in 30-degree heat) as the stadium steadily filled with sunburnt excitement. First up was Finn Forster, a fresh-faced singer-songwriter from Middlesbrough, tasked with the enviable job of kicking things off. He's joining the 'Phonics across their UK dates and called the tour 'the biggest shows of my life to date'. Next, English indie band Blossoms also delivered a rock-solid performance (see what I did there). At one point they even wheeled out a giant gorilla prop, subtlety clearly taking the night off. Fresh from their Glastonbury slot the Stockport lads are known for distinctive rock songs like Charlemagne, Honey Sweet, Your Girlfriend, and The Keeper. Their latest album, Gary, dropped last September. It's named after the 8ft fibreglass gorilla famously stolen from a Lanarkshire garden centre. As origin stories go it's certainly in keeping with the band's kooky vibe. With barely enough time for a crafty loo dash or an overpriced pint the moment arrived. The lights dropped, the crowd roared, and the boys hit the stage, clearly right at home among their adoring faithful. Pyrotechnics erupted as Kelly Jones strutted out in his trademark leather jacket and shades looking every inch the swoon-worthy rock god – part Elvis, part Valleys legend. They launched straight into Vegas Two Times from 2001's Just Enough Education to Perform, swaggering on stage like a Welsh Adonis and radiating peak early-noughties Cool Cymru energy. From there the jacket came off and it was hit after hit, a nostalgic journey through the band's stacked back catalogue. Just Looking and Pick a Part That's New threw us right back to 1999's Performance and Cocktails, the album that cemented them as Britpop survivors and gave us some of their most enduring anthems that are still loved today. Maybe Tomorrow, from 2003's You Gotta Go There to Come Back, brought a moment of introspection. Its breezy melancholia sounds as fresh now as it did when it soundtracked every early-2000s breakup montage. The sheer range on show reminded me of how prolific the 'Phonics have been. You forget just how many hits they had and how many songs you can sing along to effortlessly. Graffiti on the Train, the cinematic title track from their 2013 album, was belted out alongside more recent material like C'est La Vie (from 2015's Keep the Village Alive), which arrived with a burst of giant balloons for added flair. Mr Writer, the brooding, slow-burn hit from Just Enough Education to Perform, still simmers with attitude. Step on My Old Size Nines saw Kelly with an acoustic guitar performing a fuss-free solo under a spotlight. It was stripped-back perfection from the 51-year-old musician because who needs theatrics with world-class vocals like these? Local Boy in the Photograph, their 1997 breakout single from debut album Word Gets Around, remains as bittersweet and powerful as ever, a clear fan favourite and a reminder of how far they've come from those early gigs in smoke-filled south Wales pubs. Despite being at this since the 90s Kelly's voice is still as gritty and flawless as ever and he's still somehow ageless, the Paul Rudd of the rock world. I seriously need to know that man's skin care routine. By the time they reached Dakota, the 2005 chart-topping behemoth from Language. Sex. Violence. Other?, the entire stadium was in rapture to the band's only UK number one – a fact that still astonishes me, given their huge success. It wasn't just a standard paint-by-numbers gig from a band that's been around the block. It was a goddamn time machine. As the setlist unfolded so did the soundtrack to our lives. My takeaway is that over the decades the ' Phonics evolved just enough to keep things fresh without surrendering to the Spotify algorithm and with this show they proved it with a slick blend of 90s bangers seamlessly woven with tracks from their newest offerings, including Make 'em Laugh, Make 'em Cry, and Make 'em Wait, which dropped in April 2025. The stadium was buzzing (Image: John Myers ) Admittedly the classics are still my favourites. As a Welsh elder millennial 'Phonics were the soundtrack to my admittedly hazy, misspent youth, when not everything was 'content' and music really meant something. Trust me, you value something so much more when you've nearly broken your wrist diving across the room to hit 'record' on the stereo the second your favourite song came on the radio. Or when you planted yourself in front of the telly bang on time just to catch your beloved band on Top of the Pops because if you missed it there was no catch-up on iPlayer. Back then we swapped our treasured CDs while necking warm Bacardi Breezers in the park and blasted A Thousand Trees from cassette players on long road trips to the coast. Every Wales v England rugby clash was an excuse, nay, a duty to yell-sing As Long As We Beat the English patriotic fury and pride. As they've evolved so have I. The raw energy of Bartender and the Thief has mellowed into the wistfulness of Maybe Tomorrow. But that emotional punch is still there. They remain my go-to comfort band when I want to feel burning nostalgia, when I need to be transported back to the glory days of Cool Cymru, when hope was high, indie bands played Cardiff Castle for buttons, and you could still get a pint and a chip butty for under a fiver. What a time to be alive. That's the thing about the 'Phonics: while they might stir up all kinds of feels, they're not just a band trapped in the past. They're still releasing fresh material, still touring, and still giving the fans exactly what we want. A varied, crowdpleasing set delivered with flair without being overblown and dialling up the theatrics to eye-roll levels. Article continues below They didn't need gimmicks to carry them here – just years of superb songwriting, loyal fans decked out in merch, and that unmistakable gravelly voice accompanied by extraordinary musical talent. On a blistering summer night in Cardiff Stereophonics reminded us once again why they've endured. You made us all feel like the one.
