Ocean Colour Scene O2 Brixton Academy

Chris Griffiths
Apr 27
3 min read

For those of us who grew up with Moseley Shoals and Marchin’ Already as the soundtrack to our youth, Ocean Colour Scene’s latest live outing felt less like a gig and more like a deeply personal reunion. On a packed evening at O2 Brixton Academy, London: the band (including original members Simon Fowler, Steve Cradock, and Oscar Harrison) — proved that, while the years may have moved on, their music remains as vital and stirring as ever.

Opening with The Circle, the band immediately set the tone for the evening: heartfelt, energetic, and steeped in nostalgia. I Just Need Myself and You've Got it Bad followed in quick succession, each note met with raucous applause from an audience eager to sing along to every word.

It was a crowd largely made up of fans who had journeyed with the band since their Britpop-era heyday, and it showed — faces a little older, but eyes just as bright, united in shared memories and the enduring spirit of the music. Throughout the evening, that communal sense of belonging was tangible, turning the show into something closer to a celebration than a performance. Nothing has been lost by a fine act who still sound as tight and produced a sound as they did thirty years ago.

The band’s setlist played like a greatest hits collection: the driving urgency of Hundred Mile High City, the soulful melancholy of Better Day, and the anthemic power of Profit in Peace all featured prominently. Songs like July and Up on the Downside reminded us of Ocean Colour Scene’s knack for crafting tracks that balance lyrical introspection with irresistible hooks.

Simon Fowler’s voice, rich and resonant, showed no signs of losing its emotional weight, while Steve Cradock's guitar work was as sharp and dynamic as ever. Oscar Harrison’s drumming remained the band’s heartbeat — steady, powerful, and utterly reliable.

As the main set closed with the effervescent Get Away, it was clear the crowd wasn’t ready to let go. The encore, featuring Robin Hood and a euphoric rendition of The Day We Caught the Train, brought the evening to a perfect, bittersweet close. Hearing the entire room chant back the chorus was a moment that summed up the night — a reminder of the band's deep connection with their fans and their enduring place in the British musical landscape. In truth, we couldn’t hear Simon’s trademark lyrics over that of the thousands in front of them.

Ocean Colour Scene may have emerged from a very specific moment in time, but last night proved that their music transcends nostalgia. While we look ahead to reunions of multiple bands from the era, most notably Oasis and Stereophonics, it was a reminder that great songs never lose their power — they simply gain new meaning as we carry them through our lives.

A triumphant night from a band who still have plenty to say, and I for one, will still be listening.