Pioneers of UK hip-hop and electronic dance, Brit Award winners Stereo MC’s are gearing up for a major return to the road in 2025, announcing a brand-new run of UK and Ireland tour dates that will see them reconnect with fans across the country and beyond. We caught up with Rob B ahead of their Manchester O2 Ritz show on the 13th December 2025…
ROB BIRCH (STEREO MC’s)
You recently played The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon – what was that experience like, stepping back into an American spotlight?
Rob Birch: It was great to play a live TV show again, especially in front of a real audience. We were genuinely honoured to be doing it with The Roots – we’ve been fans of that band and of Questlove for years. So that was a big privilege and a real pleasure. It’s a total trip being on a stage like that – the big TV cameras, the lights, the buzz from the crowd – it’s just amazing. And it was snowing outside too, which I loved. It made the whole thing feel kind of surreal and magical.
And wasn’t this your first full U.S. coast-to-coast tour in over two decades – how did the audiences compare with the early days?
Rob Birch: They felt really sincere, actually. I wasn’t sure what to expect after so long, but our love for performing has only deepened over the years. We’ve become more experienced, but we still really enjoy doing it – not just out of habit, but because we genuinely love being up there. I think the crowds can feel that. We played a festival in the States where it started raining right as we came on, and the whole crowd stayed put – no one left. They stood there in the rain with us, and that meant a lot. I love when a crowd feels like a conversation – when you’re all vibing on the same wavelength, trying to express what you think about the world without spelling it out too literally. Everyone just starts to feel alright together, and that creates a really nice energy.
Honestly, I didn’t see much difference between any of the crowds. At the end of the day, we’re all human beings. If we’re not too caught up in divisive stuff, we can all sit in the same room and have a great time together.
KEEPING THINGS FRESH
With fans spanning generations, how do you build a setlist that strikes a balance between nostalgia and current relevance?
Rob Birch: We try to give a cross-section of our music from over the years, but we also road-test new tracks – if they work live, we keep them. Not every tune translates perfectly to the stage, and Nick usually decides what makes the cut. He’s the filter. I’d probably sneak in a few of the more laid-back ones that I personally love, but he knows what lifts a crowd.
We’ve also done a lot of collaborations over the last decade with deep house and Afro house artists, so we weave a couple of those into the set, too. It keeps things fresh. And with some of the older tracks, we’ll polish them up a bit — give them a new edge so they sound bigger and more alive onstage.
CONNECTED WITH THE PEOPLE
“Connected” and “Step It Up” still sound as fresh now as they did in the ’90s — what keeps those grooves alive for you?
Rob Birch: Honestly, I’ve no idea – I just know I still love performing them. They still make me lose myself every time. I’ve never had that problem some artists talk about, where they can’t stand playing their big hits anymore. I feel lucky. Those songs connected with people, and if they still want to hear them live, that’s a blessing. There’s no way I’d ever get negative about that – not a chance.
When you hear those tracks on the radio or TV today, do they still feel like yours, or have they taken on a life of their own?
Rob Birch: Yeah, they’ve definitely found their own legs. That’s what music’s like – you plant these little seeds, put them out there, and they grow. Some become diplomats, some become artists, and some enjoy being in the garden. They all find their place in the world.
I try not to feel too much ownership over the music anymore. So many people and moments influence what you create – they’re part of the energy around you. If I hadn’t met certain people or been in certain places, those songs wouldn’t exist. Music feels like it comes out of thin air sometimes – it’s a gift. You have to keep the door open and let it flow through. I’m happy those tracks found their way, and I try not to overthink it. I just hope the journey continues and that I stay focused on staying creative.
“I’M ALWAYS MAKING MUSIC”
The Stereo MC’s sound always blended organic rhythm with electronic edge – how do you keep that balance in 2025?
Rob Birch: Nick runs an Afro house label, and I DJ monthly on Margate Radio, so we’re constantly surrounded by new sounds — new and old. That keeps us learning. You’ll hear something and think, how did they do that? It pushes you to experiment, the same way it did when we first heard Public Enemy’s “Rebel Without a Pause” – that sense of shock and inspiration still drives us.
I’m always making music, but these days I’m trying to be more natural with what comes out. I write lyrics – sometimes more like poetry – and not everything has to be for the dancefloor. Maybe some of it can be storytelling, with music as the backdrop. I’m experimenting with that – telling stories from the heart. At this point in life, I want to feel the impact of what I’m creating. If it feels right there, in the heart, that’s enough. I’m not chasing whether it’s a “banger” anymore. It’s just about staying real and inspired.
And on the flip side, with what you’ve just said; are there creative habits from the early years that you still swear by in the studio today?
Rob Birch: I can’t speak for Nick, but for me, it’s still the same essence. If you wake up in the morning and feel excited about what you’ve been working on – and the first thing you want to do is switch on your gear and hear it again — then you’re in the right place. That spark, that sense of curiosity, is everything. If I’m not feeling that, something’s off, and I need to change direction – or maybe just become a gardener instead!
TRUE TO LIFE
This new tour appears to be a genuine homecoming. What inspired the title True to Life?
That’s actually a line from a tune we made called “Running”, off “Deep Down and Dirty”. Nick came up with the idea of using it as the tour title, and it feels really apt. At this stage in our lives, it’s about staying grounded in who we are. Touring’s no joke – it’s tough on the body, and looking at the schedule, I was like, this is for a 25-year-old! But it’s also energising. I’m excited to be travelling again, connecting with people, and sharing music. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that the bones hold up along the way.
That was going to be my next question… How do you find touring these days: harder on
the body, or more meaningful for the mind?
Rob Birch: It’s both. We’ve been playing live for so long that once you move past the fatigue, you reach a deeper space. There’s a new kind of connection with the crowd – one that only comes with time. For me, I want the shows to feel uplifting, especially in a world that can feel pretty hostile right now. When I’m on the mic, I try to be emotionally open and honest. If I mess up, I’ll say so – I want it to feel natural, real. People respond to that honesty. We don’t just turn up for the paycheck; we want to give people a slice of ourselves, something they can truly feel.
NEW MUSIC
Is it true there’s new material coming – something that mixes club energy with classic Stereo MC’s?
Rob Birch: Yeah, there are a few projects in the works, and some of them are quite experimental. We’ll see where it lands. Personally, I want to make the record I want to make — not the one I think I should make. If that surprises or even disappoints some people, I can live with that. I’ve got to stay true to what feels right. That’s what keeps it exciting, and that’s what keeps it alive.
Tickets for all shows are on sale now via www.stereomcs.com.
STEREO MC’s
The core lineup features founding members Rob Birch, Nick Hallam, and Cath Coffey, joined by drummer and percussionist Tansay Omar, a reunion that promises to deliver the unmistakable groove and live chemistry that has long defined Stereo MC’s. Fans can look forward to a deep dive through the group’s catalogue spanning seven acclaimed studio albums with classics such as “Connected,” “Step It Up,” “Elevate My Mind,” and “Lost In Music” all expected to feature.
TRUE TO LIFE UK / IE TOUR
NOVEMBER 2025
27 – GLASGOW, St Luke’s
28 – LEEDS, Brudenell Social Club
29 – LIVERPOOL, Arts Club
DECEMBER 2025
4 – BRISTOL, Trinity
6 – MARGATE, Dreamland
7 – NORWICH, Epic Studios
12 – LONDON, Shepherd’s Bush Empire
13 – MANCHESTER, O2 Ritz
14 – BIRMINGHAM, O2 Academy 2
JANUARY 2026
30 – DUBLIN, Button Factory
31 – DUBLIN, Button Factory