It’s set to be anthem after anthem at the Villa Marina in Douglas next Thursday, as Moseley’s finest come to town for what will be one of the gigs of the year.
Indie heroes Ocean Colour Scene’s August 29 date with the Manx public is long overdue, given the band’s eponymous debut album came out way back in 1992.
Falling between the energetic pop/rock of mod revival and the psychedelic experimentations of Traffic, Ocean Colour Scene came to be one of the leading lights of the 1990s Britpop era.
With mentorship from the likes of Paul Weller, and a trail blazed by the explosion of Oasis, the band’s 1996 album Moseley Shoals was released to critical acclaim enough to catapult them to international prominence.
These days, 48-year-old singer Simon Fowler looks back on the period with wry bemusement, reflecting that despite the bands intentions they were ‘pop stars for 18 months’.
Fowler prefers the label of ‘a folk rock band that got lucky’.
The line-up that will play at the Villa next week is completed by long-time guitarist Steve Cradock – who also plays with Paul Weller’s band – and drummer Oscar Harrison, with bassist Dan Sealey who replaced Damon Minchella in 2003.
Moseley Shoals produced the singles that have remained among their best known material; think TFI Friday anthem The Riverboat Song, The Day We Caught the Train, You’ve Got It Bad and The Circle.
1997’s Marchin’ Already knocked Oasis’ Be Here Now off the top spot in the UK album charts, and spawned equally anthemic singles in the shape of Better Day Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels theme Hundred Mile High City.
New album releases every couple of years ever since have added staples to the live set, from protest song Profit in Peace from 1999’s One from the Modern, right up to the title track from this year’s effort Painting, Ocean Colour Scene’s tenth studio album.
Off the back of that release, the band are in as high a demand as they’ve ever been, if their tour schedule is anything to go by.
A string of shows across the UK and Ireland in the early part of the year came before a jaunt to sunny Spain, with the band back to the UK in time for the summer festival season, which included slots at Scotland’s T in the Park, and they’ll travel to the island fresh from headlining the Arena stage at V Festival this month.
New dates are been regularly added to their already 18-strong Marchin’ Already UK tour in November and December.
Thursday’s concert takes place in the Villa Marina’s Royal Hall starting at 7pm.
Support will come from Chris Helme who, alongside Stone Roses guitarist John Squire, saw platinum success with The Seahorses. The 1997 album Do It Yourself featured the hits Love Is The Law and Blinded By The Sun.
Tickets start from £30 for standing and unreserved seating, up to £40 for dress circle seats and admission to the after show party.
To book tickets, call into the Villa Marina reception, the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal, call the box office on 600555 or visit cfvg.gov.im