20th Anniversary of The Feelings debut album Twelve Stops and Home Tour @ Shepherds Bush Empire, London

PHOTOS AND REVIEW BY DAMIEN HARVEY

I first bought Twelve Stops and Home back in 2006 after falling in love with “Love It When You Call,” and I remember instantly connecting with the album’s bright, uplifting sound. Two decades later, hearing those same songs live on The Feeling’s 12 Stops and Home 20th Anniversary Tour at Shepherd’s Bush Empire felt like stepping straight back into that moment.

From the second the band walked on stage, the atmosphere was electric. They performed the album in full, along with a couple of additional hits, and the excitement in the room made it clear this was a tour fans had been waiting for. It didn’t take long for the night to turn into something special.

Lead singer Dan Gillespie Sells was on outstanding form. During just the second song, “Never Be Lonely,” he split the entire venue in half and conducted a huge call-and-response sing-along, with each side singing at different times. It was chaotic in the best possible way, and completely magical. At that moment you could already tell the crowd were going to be loud all night, and that the band were ready to match that energy.

Midway through the set, the unmistakable opening chords of “Love It When You Call” rang out and the room absolutely erupted. It was easily one of the loudest moments of the night. Fans were singing every word, jumping up and down, and making sure the band knew just how beloved that song still is. It felt like the entire venue was moving together.

The band also treated the audience to their live cover of “Video Killed the Radio Star,” which they’ve performed a few times over the years. Hearing it in that setting was a brilliant surprise and added an extra bit of nostalgia to an already nostalgia-filled evening.

By the time the band closed the night with the triumphant “Join With Us,” they left the stage grinning from ear to ear and the crowd looked just as happy. What really struck me was how well these songs have stood the test of time. Twenty years later, they still spark the same joy and excitement they did when I first played that album back in 2006.

Setlist

I Want You Now
Never Be Lonely
Fill My Little World
Kettle’s On
Sewn
Anyone
Strange
Love It When You Call
Rosé
Same Old Stuff
Helicopter
Blue Piccadilly
Miss You

Encore

I Thought It Was Over
Still You Want More
Video Killed the Radio Star (The Buggles cover)
Join With Us