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Looking around the Royal Albert Hall it’s clear to see that those true fans of Ocean Colour Scene’s ‘Mosley Shores’ are out in force. It may have been over 15 years since the group became one of the UK’s most loved acts with classics ‘The Riverboat Song’ and ‘The Day We Caught the Train’ but tonight reinforces why they are still at the top of their game.
Support came from the surprise of the night The Moons with their Welleresque style and impressive stage presence. Charging through a powerful set, the band finished to rapturous applause, with a dedication to the late John Lennon, an acoustic version of ‘This Boy’.
As the Royal Albert Hall begins to fill up, a few recognisable faces can be spotted with The View’s Kyle Falconer and The Inbetweeners’ Jay Buckley. It’s clear that Ocean Colour Scene have lasted this length of time due to their tremendous, dedicated fan base. And maybe more importantly, the sometimes underrated writing talents of the band.
Walking on to their upcoming release ‘21’, lead singer Simon Fowler seems at home on the venue’s stage. Breaking into the Ocean Colour Scene classic ‘The Riverboat Song’, the band are back. Ocean Colour Scene have always had an exceptional live reputation and this night is no different.
Playing a variety of songs from their expansive 20-plus year career, the fans are more than happy to receive them. Material from their last album, ‘Saturday’, shows a move away from the more well-known guitar feel of past albums, embracing a more retro-orientated sound. The new material works well live alongside the band’s other loved releases ‘Hundred Mile High City’ and ‘Better Day’.
After nearly two hours of a highly fuelled set, Ocean Colour Scene return for an astounding encore to a venue filled with pure love and affection. The band may not be scoring the number one hits they used to but none of that seemed to matter to them. And when the entire venue is on their feet for the last performance of the night ‘The Day We Caught the Train’ it was clear that it didn’t matter to the fans either.
As Ocean Colour Scene get ready to release ‘21’, a collection of favourites and unreleased songs from the band’s career, from the crowds reaction it certainly won’t be their last.
