Stereophonics - Just Looking

What this video is

Released 22 February 1999 as the second single from 'Performance and Cocktails', 'Just Looking' arrived at a pivotal moment when Britpop's cultural dominance had receded and a grittier, regionally-rooted British rock was taking its place. Stereophonics — from Cwmaman in the Welsh Cynon Valley — represented an authenticity-first alternative to the metropolitan pop-art posturing of peak Britpop. The single reached #4…

Why it matters

A key document of post-Britpop British rock's commercial ascent in 1999. The track and video exemplify the era's preference for direct, emotionally grounded songwriting and lo-fi visual authenticity over the ironic detachment of mid-90s Britpop. Represents Welsh rock's contribution to the UK…

The director

UK-based video director and former Rough Trade Records employee. Co-created and directed BBC2 alternative culture programme Snub (1987–1989). Directed music videos from the late 1980s onward, including work for The Pixies ('Velouria', 1990), The Jesus and…