21-05-2025
'Greatest hits': Ocean Colour Scene promise Britpop favourites at city gig
Ocean Colour Scene return to play a summer show in Southampton next month for the first time since their 90s Britpop heyday.
Back then it was an appearance at one of the much missed Power in the Park events that reigned supreme in the city, attracting as many as 100,000 young revellers to Southampton Common to see the likes of Boyzone, Rachel Stevens and Peter Andre.
Thirty years later the band, responsible for retro hits including The Day We Caught the Train, are one of the headliners for TK Presents Southampton Summer Sessions, a Guildhall Square concert series now in its second year.
(Image: Brian Sweeney)READ MORE: Iconic music venue 'facing uncertainty' as campaign launched to secure future
"I remember it well," says guitarist Steve Cradock.
"It was very pop, but it was a lot of fun.
"We become a bit of a hippy band when we play outdoors! Well that's the vibe I get anyway.
"Our indoor shows are very intense, which is fantastic, but I love the freedom of playing outdoors.
"People want to hear the stuff they know, so you can expect a greatest hits type thing, unlike our own shows where we can be a bit more self indulgent. People are there to hear stuff they know."
Ocean Colour Scene will be supported on Friday June 27 by fellow 90s artists Cast and Echobelly at Summer Sessions, which also boasts appearances from McFly, Train, The Human League, Simple Minds, and Rag'n'Bone Man.
Steve revealed the band, who have had 17 Top 40 singles and six Top Ten singles over the years, are considering releasing a new record, something they haven't done for more than a decade.
He also plays guitar for Paul Weller and The Specials and has been producing the latest album for up and coming duo Burr Island.
"It's always been all about the music for me. I must have been about 11 years old when it started to make a huge impression on me and it still really thrills me," Steve added.
Tickets for the Ocean Colour Scene gig are on sale now from
