Embracing classic pop song structures and guitar jams in equal measure, Ocean Colour Scene defined the best qualities of the British trad rock and britpop that surfaced in the wake of during the second half of the 1990s.
Ocean Colour Scene have notched up nine albums, three of which went Top 5 – 1996’s Moseley Shoals, 1997’s Marchin’ Already and 1999’s One From The Modern – and a run of nine successive Top 20 hit singles commencing with 1996’s The Riverboat Song.
They supported Oasis at their massive Knebworth shows that same year, and two years later helmed the biggest arena tour of any UK band to date.
From their days as Breton-shirt wearing disciples of The Stone Roses (debut single ‘Sway’) to million selling Britpop superstars (‘Marchin’ Already’ bumped Oasis’ ‘What the Story’ from the top spot in 1997) to long-term touring allies with Paul Weller, they have always stood shoulder to shoulder with the greats of modern rock.
Moseley Shoals, the 1996 album, made the band’s career. Featuring ‘The Riverboat Song,’ ‘You’ve Got It Bad,’ and ‘The Day We Caught the Train,’ Moseley Shoals went triple platinum, a success furthered by 1997’s Marchin’ Already, and its hits ‘Hundred Mile High City’ and ‘Travellers Tune.’ These two tuneful, vigorous records established the blueprint the group would follow over the decades. Once the Brit-pop boom faded in the early 2000s,
The band continue to record on a regular basis and have announced an extensive tour for April/May. Ocean Colour Scene play Live at the Big Top on Tuesday April 22, 2025. Tickets from www.dolans.ie
