Supergrass effortlessly overcome last minute change as iconic band celebrate flawless album at Manchester's Albert Hall
Supergrass fans were treated to something rather special when the Britpop favourites opened their first of two nights in Manchester.
Supergrass are currently on the road, playing venues up-and-down the country, as part of their 30th anniversary tour celebrating debut record I Should Coco. Devotees having a chance to see the iconic album performed in full during the schedule.
The Mercury Prize-nominated collection includes the somewhat era-defining Alright, which brought global recognition Supergrass' way, Caught by The Fuzz, Mansize Rooster and others. Gaz Coombes and his bandmates aired those and many more as they kicked off their first of two nights at Manchester's Albert Hall on Friday evening.
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Consisting of the aforementioned Gaz, Mick Quinn, Danny Goffey and Rob Coombes, the indie troupe, formed in Oxford, back in 1993, took their disciples back to a simpler time during their very sweaty Manchester city centre show.
Support on the night came from Kissing People and last minute recruits Reverend and The Makers. Led by Jon McClure, the late drafts two members short, enjoyed a wonderful connection with those packed into the sold out venue. Shifting through a few tracks from their 20-year body of work.
Unsurprisingly, the stripped back version of Heavyweight Champion of the World went down a treat. The rev revealing, due to the unexpected booking, the three-piece were being accompanied by his seven-year-old son's iPad.
The charismatic singer stating: 'If it's s**t, blame him.' Before the close of their support act stint, the rev added: 'All f**king about aside, Supergrass are the most underrated band in the world.'
A fair few in attendance, on Friday evening, would likely agree with that sentiment. Supergrass, later arriving on-stage to enviable adulation, performed in front of a backdrop consisting of that rather menacing I Should Coco caricature album cover.
Addressing the venue, lead Gaz said: 'I didn't think 30 years later we'd be here doing two nights in Manchester at the Albert Hall.' That 'track four', the rather famous, Alright helped to set the early tone of delirium as the group progressed through big hits and lesser-aired rarities.
Mid-set drummer Danny Goffey briefly halted proceedings to declare 'that was kind of special, I thought'. Of course, alongside the I Should Coco classics, the Coombes brothers and the accompanying members of Supergrass couldn't resist treating the masses to some more favourites from the band's back catalogue. Moving bringing an echoing singalong to the Albert Hall as Supergrass worked to a close.
Gaz praised the 'Insane energy in the room' before the main set finished with Grace - in every sense. The group soon returned to the stage for a two-song encore opened by Sun Hits The Sky with the instantly-recognisable anthem Pumping On Your Stereo getting the crowd in the mood for an indie disco. Perhaps a few even popped into 42s afterwards to further relive their youth…given the mythical club was only round the corner.
I'd Like to Know
Caught by the Fuzz
Mansize Rooster
Alright
Lose It
Play Video
Lenny
Strange Ones
Sitting Up Straight
She's So Loose
We're Not Supposed To
Time
Sofa (of My Lethargy)
Time To Go
Richard III
Late in the Day
Mary
Moving
Grace
Encore
Sun Hits the Sky
Pumping on Your Stereo
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