Ocean Colour Scene

Birmingham O2 Academy

Words and pictures by James Watkins

Simon Fowler led OCS through a storming set

Birmingham’s finest brit-pop band, Ocean Colour Scene, launched into their second hometown gig in a week to send the glitzy new Academy into memories of a career spanning nearly 20 years.

Opening with The Riverboat Song, made famous as the intro to popular TV/chat show TFI Friday in the nineties, OCS gave the near sell-out crowd the opportunity to test the new floorboards out as they sprung into overdrive.

Playing through a set-list of 18 classic tracks including You Got It Bad, Traveller’s Tune and a late blast of 100 Mile High City, the 5-piece seemed intent on delivering to the fans a show that they craved, with frontman Simon Fowler in fine voice and lead guitarist Steve Cradock resembling a slick guitar playing James Bond in his circular shades and perfect collar as he powered his way through epic power chord solos none more-so perfect as in The Circle.

Fowler wound up football fans

Mid way through the night, Fowler started a mini chorus of boo’s and cheers as he commented on the small matter of a local Midands derby between Birmingham and Aston Villa, but the boo’s were soon turned into song as nearly 3000 fans joined in an audacious chorus of Get Away before being treated to a finale of The Day We Caught The Train which was simply stunning.

OCS seem to have been around for so long that many take them for granted. Their stellar performance, however, gave hardcore and fairweather fans alike a trip down memory lane and a reminder of how great theys actually were and still are.

They remain one of the Midlands best bands.