Photo + Words: Jess Plunkett
Liverpool’s own STONE kicked off their latest tour on home soil last Thursday, performing to a sold-out Arts Club in celebration of their second album, ‘AUTONOMY‘. And it’s quickly become my favourite gig of 2026 so far.
If there were any opening-night nerves, they didn’t show. Launching straight into ‘Monkey See Monkey Do‘, frontman Fin Power lit up the stage with his presence, and the rest of the band followed suit. Rarely still and full of energy, Power danced across the stage before diving headfirst into the crowd. STONE are certainly back with a bang.
What stood out most, which is something I love about smaller venues like the Arts Club, was the band’s ability to create a direct connection with the audience throughout their performance; Power sang face-to-face with fans, even dancing in the centre of a mosh pit. Expectedly, the audience matched their energy, and it was the perfect way to ramp up the room into a sea of jumping bodies and outstretched arms.
The evening was a perfect depiction of where the band is right now. ‘AUTONOMY‘ feels like a more personal and self-assured step forward for STONE, which translated seamlessly into their live performance, as they conducted the room with confidence.
Having family in the crowd only added to the sense of community and control. Power took a moment to thank them, giving a special mention to his nan. And by the time they closed things out with their much-loved classic, ‘Money‘, no one seemed ready for it to end…
And honestly neither was I. This was one of the standout gigs of the year so far for me, and I’ll be keeping a close eye on what they do next.
Taped Magazine 