Words and photos: Rhona Murphy.
The Southampton Summer Sessions has provided something for everyone over the 2025 shows from Rag ‘n’ Bone Man to UB40, McFly and Stranglers appealing to every age group and music genre (at least if you like pop, rock, punk or reggae). Ocean Colour Scene (OCS) is a rock band formed in Birmingham whose halcyon days (arguably) were from 1989 to 1997. They’ve played with Paul Weller and Oasis and are affectionately know as one of the Britpop bands of the time. Band members have come and gone with the current line-up Simon Fowler (vocals/guitar – pictured top), Steve Cradock (lead guitar & acknowledged ‘rock god’), Oscar Harrison (drums) and Raymond Meade (bass). OCS has never stopped touring and recording and the ‘britpop’ label understates the quality and genius of the band.
Two great support bands took to the stage before OCS’s set. Firstly Echobelly, who also peaked in the 90s and early noughties. If I’m honest I didn’t think I knew their music until they started playing and I realized I must have been a closet Echobelly fan! Sonya Madan makes a great frontwoman. She’s captivating and demands the attention of the crowd. Echobelly proved to be the perfect opener for the evening, with an ethereal vibe setting the tone for what was to come.
Next up was Cast, from Liverpool, fronted by John Power (vocals/guitar), Liam ‘Skin’ Tyson (guitar), Jay Lewis (bass) and Keith O’Neill (drums). Cast are an excellent band who (in my opinion) are headliners in their own right so to be able to enjoy them plus OCS on one line-up is particularly exciting. The setlist mixed old and new with the title track ‘Love Is The Call’ from the most recent album in 2024 played as the third song. Cast are supporting Oasis on their UK, Ireland and US dates this summer.
Ocean Colour Scene took to the stage at 20.45 hrs with the crowd nicely warmed up by the support bands and lubricated and fed thanks to the food stalls and bars at the back end of Guildhall Square. ‘Circle’ was the opening song and Simon Fowler’s vocals are as good as they’ve ever been. If you bumped into Fowler in the street you probably wouldn’t immediately think frontman but he is an actual real life rockstar. I found myself captivated by Steve Cradock’s guitar riffs (pictured below). In addition to his role in OCS, Cradock plays with Paul Weller’s band and also has a successful solo career.
OCS played through 90 minutes of crowd pleasing songs ending up with the classic ‘The Day We Caught The Train’. The evening as a whole was thoroughly enriching and a good time was had by all. OCS has a busy year of festivals and gigs and I’d recommend them to anyone.
Cast Setlist:
Sandstorm
Fine Time
Love Is The Call
Flying
Guiding Star
History
Faraway
Walkaway
Tomorrow Calls My Name
Alright
Ocean Colour Scene Setlist:
Circle
One For The Road
Families
Fleeting Minds
July
So Low
Profit In Peace
Go To Sea
Get Away
Robin Hood
Lining Your Pockets
Riverboat Song
Better Day
Get Blown Away
Travellers Tune
100 Mile High City
The Day We Caught The Train
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