Live Review: Ocean Colour Scene Acoustic Show @ The Ruby Lounge

Date: 25th May 2011

Reviewed by: MDS

Ocean Colour Scene were Birmingham's response to Manchester's Oasis and London's Blur in the Brit Pop era; a slightly more retro-inspired band but still with laddish chanting songs, sporting mod haircuts and flares.

Their seminal album Moseley Shoals (1996) became quite an iconic recording, and is what Simon (guitar) and Oscar (bass) are playing out on this, the 'Moseley Shoals Tour'.

Hearing the songs from the classic album with other tracks thrown in, I quickly realised that OCS (as they're affectionately reduced to) are one of those bands whose songs seep into your psyche without you even realising. You might not think you know them, but actually, you do. And quite well too. Surely, theoretically, it's this element that puts them into the realms of being real musicians.

With a set list that was well thought through in terms of highs and lows, building up from songs like 'Foxy' and 'Mechanical Wonder' to the massive album hits 'The Circle' and 'The Day We Caught The Train' for the encore, this was a pretty great gig. And surprisingly there wasn't a front-man in sight. Not that he was required; Simon and Oscar seemed to manage the vocals incredibly well, and even though it was an acoustic set with Oscar playing keys on certain tracks, wasn't drab or dull sounding at any point. I had to consistently remind myself that Simon isn't actually the lead singer.

Despite the band’s heyday being well behind them, the guys had absolutely packed the venue -  more so it seemed than innumerable trendy, fashionable, cool bands in the last few months could - and with fans who knew the band, their humour, and their songs inside out. And I mean inside out. Simon spent time between songs nattering and making jokes, which everyone seemed to get, and the set basically turned into a full on karaoke session – honestly the most I've ever seen a crowd sing along with a live show, and at full volume. It was quite a thing to behold.

Covering gigs in places such as Grimsby, Blackburn and Hull, these two have been sent out to the provinces to warm up die-hard fans for the impending full band tour and festival appearances across July and August. I hope they rest of OCS are grateful and can keep up the standard too; this show ticked all the boxes that a gig should, and with only half the members.