Reef on 30 years of Replenish and bringing the energy back to Leeds

As Somerset rockers Reef gear up for a UK-wide tour celebrating 30 years since the release of their debut album Replenish, frontman Gary Stringer is feeling reflective — and ready to bring the energy back to Leeds.

- by Dennis Morton

Reef singer Gary Stringer (right) spoke to the YEP ahead of their Replenish 30th anniversary tour.

The 13-date run kicks off this autumn, with a stop at our city's 02 Academy on November 6. Fans can expect a full performance of Replenish, followed by a greatest hits set spanning the band's six-album catalogue. Support on the night comes from Irish alt-metal outfit Kerbdog and Terrorvision's Tony Wright.

"I hadn't listened to [Replenish] for 30 years until the summer," Gary admits. "When you've mastered a record, you kind of leave it and move on. I mean, we played three or four of those songs over the years in our set. But playing the whole album, start to finish, was fantastic."

Released in 1995, Replenish launched Reef into the heart of the Britpop era, with singles like Good Feeling and Naked earning them spots on tour with Paul Weller, Kyuss, and even the Rolling Stones.