Stone Foundation celebrates 25 years of soul music: "The Italian public has incredible energy."
Milan, 11 September 2025 – A passion for soul and African-American music as his guiding light, Paul Weller , the “modfather”, as his tutelary deity, and a curiosity for what contemporary artists have to offer as his obsession.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Stone Foundation. The English band, one of the finest examples of soul in the new century, returns to Italy for a double set of concerts, this time as headliners. They'll be playing on Friday, September 19th at the Arci Bellezza in Milan and the following day, Saturday the 20th, at the Locomotiv Club in Bologna. A chance to chat with Neil Jones , guitarist and founder of the band.
This year you're celebrating 25 years of your career. Are you satisfied with your journey?
If you had told me when I was 18 that the Stone Foundation would achieve half of what we've achieved, I would have been more than satisfied. It's been an incredible journey, far from over. Amazon Prime even produced a film about our story. Pretty surreal, when you think about it.
What have been the best moments in these 25 years?
“Supporting The Specials on their 2011 tour. Getting to work with some of our favorite musicians like Graham Parker, Hamish Stuart, William Bell, and Bettye Lavette. Playing in incredible venues around the world. Opening for the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan. And last but not least, getting to write songs and work with Paul Weller, my boyhood hero.”
What's the difference between being a support act and headlining?
"It's a matter of time, to be honest. When we perform as the headline act, we have more time to enjoy with our audience. Although supporting acts can have their advantages. For example, we have the opportunity to 'convert' new fans, introducing them to our music."
What kind of reception have you had in Italy at your previous concerts?
"Our first show in Milan, supporting Paul Weller, was truly special. The Italian crowd gave us incredible energy. And I was invited to join the former Jam singer on stage to sing 'Broken Stones,' one of his best-known songs."
What's your favorite thing about the tour experience? And what's the most tiring part?
"For us, it's the brotherhood that builds between us band members on these trips. We feel like 'the best gang in town' when we're on tour. It reminds me of when I first saw the E Street Band. Traveling the miles and performing every night makes us feel almost like one person. On the other hand, I'm the one who takes care of all the business on tour, including trying to save some money. It can be stressful, since if something goes wrong, it's all my responsibility."
Which artists have inspired you the most?
“In the early stages of our career, Neil Sheasby (the band's bassist and songwriter, ed. ) and I found ourselves united by a shared passion for artists like Traffic, Van Morrison, Dexys Midnight Runners, and labels like Stax, Def Jam, and Blue Note. Over the years, however, we've been influenced by numerous other solo artists and bands. And we continue to keep our antennas open for new inspiration.”
You've collaborated with many contemporary artists. Who are the new generation soul singers and bands you'd recommend listening to?
We admire performers and songwriters like Michael Kiwanuka and our friend Jalen Ngonda, who accompanied us on our 2018 UK tour. Another of our favorite contemporary artists is Durand Jones, with whom we've had the opportunity to collaborate. Another of our "obsessions" is Laville, a singer to watch closely. He's incredibly talented. You could call him a modern-day Luther Vandross.
What was it like, instead, sharing the studio and stage with a legend like Paul Weller?
“It was one of the joys of my professional life. It's fantastic today to be able to consider Paul a friend, having had him as an idol growing up. Writing and playing with him meant so much to me. And he encouraged and helped us throughout our careers. He was fantastic to us.”
England is the 'home' of Northern Soul. Were you—or any of the other band members—involved in this movement in any way?
“I grew up in the Midlands, an area where the Northern Soul scene has always been prominent. Towns like Hinkley and Nuneaton, which are close to my hometown of Tamworth, have long hosted events organized by the scene's instigators. And it's incredible for us to have had the opportunity to collaborate with heroes of the darker '60s soul like Nolan Porter and Joe 'Pep' Harris of the Fabolous Peps and Undisputed Truth. It's been great that similar artists, little known in their homeland, the United States, have gotten the recognition they deserved, a few years later in the UK.”
What are your favorite 60s soul songs?
"Off the top of my head, OV Wright's 'Ace of Spades,' William Bell's 'Western Union Man,' Johnnie Taylor's 'Who's Making Love,' Maurice & Mac's 'Why Don't You Try Me,' and Otis Redding's 'Tell the Truth,' come to mind. I especially like the rougher, more intense soul songs. I've always loved the Memphis sound, and being able to befriend people like Boo Mitchell, son of producer and musician Willie Mitchell, following a series of pilgrimages to the Deep South, was fantastic."
And what are, in your opinion, the best voices?
“There are so many. But you can't go wrong with Otis Redding. I had the opportunity to spend time with Otis's family in Macon, Georgia, when I was younger, to tell them how much his music and his voice meant to me. I think he's the best of them all.”
Il Giorno
