Ocean Colour Scene

Another London gig and another stopover. It was rail replacement again, so Neil drove to Shenfield, parked on someone’s driveway, and we hopped on the train. The gig was in Brixton and a Travelodge in Peckham meant taking the Elizabeth Line to Whitechapel and then an overheard to Peckham. The hotel was right across from The Red Bull, a proper boozer, which we made our home.

After a couple of rounds each, we took the bus into Brixton to find some dinner before the gig. We went for a Brazilian, this was a street food vendor and not a trim of the pubic region. Although, after biting into a frozen cheese ball type thing, Hammy might have preferred a downstairs haircut. Despite the one undercooked item the food was pretty decent although we all have no idea what it was we were eating.

After dinner, we headed to the venue to see Kula Shaker, who were opening the show. A few years prior, Brixton Academy had been closed due to a mob of idiots trying to gain entry to a gig without tickets, resulting in the tragic death of two security guards. As part of the reopening plan, several strict security measures were put in place. I support security measures that prevent tragedies like this from happening again, but I felt that the management of the Academy hadn’t really improved things. People were herded like cattle, and what should have been a simple entrance and exit plan seemed like another disaster waiting to happen. A mixture of getting tea and the extra time it took to get in we only saw the end of the final song!

Anyway, on with the main gig.

Ocean Colour Scene, often overshadowed by fellow Britpop bands like Blur and Oasis, once again demonstrated that they have more to offer than meets the eye. Their catchy hits and soulful rock sound showcased their musical talents in a way that deserves recognition.

Starting the show with underrated gems like The Circle and You’ve Got It Bad from their 1996 album Moseley Shoals, Ocean Colour Scene set the stage with Steve Craddock’s sublime guitar work and frontman Simon Fowler’s vocals leading the way.

Although the energy waned slightly during more melancholic songs from One from the Modern, the crowd was soon back on their feet for the high-energy Hundred Mile High City. Classics like The Riverboat Song and Travellers Tune kept the momentum going throughout the set. Ocean Colour Scene’s loyal following was evident as their music, with more depth than some other Britpop bands, resonated with the audience.

Closing with the bluesy garage rock number Get Away and an encore that included their iconic anthem The Day We Caught the Train, Ocean Colour Scene’s throwback rock sound harkened back to the glory days of Britpop – proving that they have a lasting place in the music scene.