They promised a party and the Stereophonics certainly delivered on a wonderful night in Wrexham.

It was two summers ago that the South Wales band became the first to play The Racecourse Ground since 1982.

It was a glorious evening and a legendary gig to match, and the masses gathered again for what promised to be a night of pure joy.

The 20-000 sell-out crowd arrived by road, rail and foot during the course of the afternoon, ready to party to Kelly Jones’ unmistakable tones.

Support acts PINS, Fireroad and – to great acclaim from the swelling audience – Jake Bugg kept everyone entertained, but now the people of Wrexham were ready for the headline act.

At around 8pm on a muggy evening at this famous old football stadium, Kelly Jones, Richard Jones, Adam Zindani, Jamie Morrison walked on stage to a raucous reception from their adoring public.

Word Gets Around was Stereophonics’ first album way back in 1998 and this 20th anniversary show was a real homage to their classic tracks from two decades at the top.

They kicked things off with C’est La Vie, and before long the crowd were signing to every word with A Thousand Trees.

The set – over two and a quarter hours in length – kicked into top gear during a spine-tingling 45-minute period which began with heartfelt renditions of Maybe Tomorrow and Superman.

What followed was an outstanding 25 minutes at the front of the stage from all the band, including I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio, Been Caught Cheating and Handbags And The Gladrags, which had the Wrexham audience in full cry.

Things just got better and better. Sunny was possibly the highlight of the whole evening, Jones beginning with a piano solo before launching into an incredible vocal performance.

Just Looking and an acoustic Traffic came next as the skies fell dark around the famous old stadium.

This had a different feel to 2016. Back then, the town – and the whole nation – was alive with football fever the night after Wales had famously beaten Belgium in the quarter-finals, people just wanted the street parties to continue. Wales’ very own version of England’s golden summer of ’96, when football and music also dominated everyone’s lives.

This was a more stripped-back version of the band, acutely aware of a successful 20 years which started from humbling beginnings.

“Some of you bought our first record, have followed us for 20 years, while there will be some of you who have only been fans for six months,” Jones said addressing crowd towards the conclusion of a performance filled with emotion and energy as the Stereophonics made Wrexham feel that buzz once more.

The crowd wanted more and they got it. A stunning four-track encore, with Mr and Mrs Smith bringing the house down.

‘Summertime, think it was June’, Jones sang as the band launched into their final encore hit – Dakota – which has become their most recognisable song. The Racecourse roared back in response. It’s an answer many people will give another 20 years down the line when they are asked: “Were you there to see the Stereophonics at The Racecourse?”