By Alan Wilson, Rocktalk writer

RIDING HIGH on the success of their new album Pull The Pin, which went straight to No 1 in the album charts last week, Welsh rockers Stereophonics kicked off their UK tour with a typically storming set at the Caird Hall in Dundee last night.

From the huge roar they gave the minute the band walked on stage, the packed audience kept up the noise for their heroes and were ready to dance and sing their hearts out from the start.

Stalwarts of the Brit Rock days, Stereophonics have maintained their reputation as one of Britain’s favourite bands for over 10 years and, judging by last night’s tremendous performance, there is every chance they will be around for at least another decade.

Only days after badly injuring his arm in an altercation with a bouncer, lead singer Kelly Jones showed no sign it was affecting his guitar work and he gave a true frontman’s performance, in addition to filling the hall with his amazing rock voice.

As promised beforehand, the band delivered a real mixture of old and new tracks, showcasing their new material from the album in the middle of the set which was heavily punctuated with golden oldies like Mr Writer, Have A Nice Day, The Bartender And The Thief, and No 1 single Dakota from last album, 2005’s Lanaguage. Sex. Violence. Other?

It was yet another great night in front of a sell-out crowd at the Caird Hall this year, following gigs by the likes of Ian Brown, The View and Arctic Monkeys.