More So So Than Alright
Veterans of the Brit pop scene, Oxford’s Supergrass are a band that for the last 15 years have remained consistent, releasing records regardless of whether they hit chart success or simply remain a fan favourite, and yet somehow they are still thought of as that little indie band that had that song about keeping their teeth clean.
Swaggering onto the stage in a baker boy cap, Supergrass front man Gaz Coombes looks every inch a survivor of Brit pop as he steps up to the microphone and pounds his guitar, punching life into ‘Diamond Hoo Ha’. Crunchy layered guitars meld themselves together as the track slams its way through the crowd and whilst there are ripples of appreciation in certain segments of the stadium, the song fails to ignite everyone as it should and does do in a smaller venue. From this things fail to get much better as muffled guitars suffer from poor sound, in turn causing the crowd start to loose interest, finding instead the twisting of a snake made from a deluge of discarded cups more interesting than the Oxford band. Hits such as debut single ‘Caught By The Fuzz’ go some way to gain some form of reaction from the crowd but it is the more sedate and introspective mellowness of ‘Moving’ that induces something of a crowd sing along. Seeming reluctant at the prospect, Supergrass even throw their biggest single ‘Alright’ into the set, perhaps as a way to unite the crowd but it is clearly done through gritted teeth as each member despondently looks oblivious to the crowds appreciation of the infectious track, churning out the track simply to get it over and done with.
Today really isn’t Supergrass’ day, after some technical difficulties Gaz is forced to call on the audience to clap and keep the beat as he strives to fix his guitar peddle. After thanking the Foo Fighters for inviting them and showing their appreciation to the crowd, Supergrass unleash an explosion of thumping beats as ‘Pumping On Your Stereo’ bounces its way around the venue bursting with foot stamping catchiness that for a brief spell shows how good Supergrass can be live. Sadly though it was a case of too little too late.