Ocean Colour Scene and Kula Shaker at Nottingham Rock City – A Night of Britpop Mastery
On Sunday, April 13, 2025, Nottingham Rock City was the epicentre of a Britpop resurgence as two of the UK’s most iconic bands—Ocean Colour Scene and Kula Shaker—delivered a double bill that was equal parts nostalgia and unfiltered, electrifying musicality. This wasn’t just a gig; it was a reminder of what made British rock of the ’90s so enduring and why it still matters today.
Kula Shaker: Psychedelia with Purpose
Kula Shaker took to the stage with a presence that immediately pulled the audience into their technicolour world. There’s something magnetic about Crispian Mills when he’s in his element—commanding yet unpretentious, with a voice that cuts through like sunlight through stained glass. Backed by a band as tight as ever, they opened with a flurry of tracks that bridged the past and present seamlessly.
Tracks like “303”, “Hey Dude”, and “Grateful When You’re Dead” were met with thunderous cheers, every beat landing with the energy of a band who never missed a step. But what really impressed was the inclusion of newer songs like “Charge of the Light Brigade” and “Broke as Folk”, which didn’t feel like filler but fresh additions to a growing legacy. It takes guts to bring new material to an audience primed for the hits—but Kula Shaker proved they’re not interested in simply being a heritage act.
The spiritual intensity of “Govinda”, sung entirely in Sanskrit, brought the room to a near-mystical stillness. It
was a standout moment—transcendent, authentic, and absolutely spellbinding. Their fusion of Indian classical sounds with British rock remains as compelling now as it was nearly three decades ago, and their performance showed not just a band revisiting their roots, but evolving with intention.
Ocean Colour Scene: Still Soulful, Still Supreme
After a short interval, Ocean Colour Scene emerged to a roar of anticipation. Any doubts about whether they could match Kula Shaker’s energy were immediately dispelled as they launched into “The Circle”, a song that set the tone for a night rich in melody, memory, and mutual appreciation between band and audience.
Simon Fowler’s voice hasn’t lost its soul—rich, weathered, and beautifully honest. Steve Cradock’s guitar work, as always, was pure class, shifting effortlessly between restrained elegance and blistering riffs. Oscar Harrison on drums and Raymond Meade on bass laid down a groove that felt both relaxed and rock-solid. These are musicians who play with the assurance of masters but without ego, and it shows.
The crowd hit fever pitch for classics like “The Day We Caught the Train”, “Hundred Mile High City”, and “Travellers Tune”. Each chorus was sung not just by Fowler, but by the entire room—a sea of voices lifted in collective joy. Yet it wasn’t just about playing the hits. Ocean Colour Scene performed with genuine heart, giving weight to every lyric, every chord, every pause.
What was most remarkable was how relevant it all felt. These songs—some written decades ago—still resonate. They speak to joy, resilience, heartbreak, and hope with a simplicity that never feels shallow. In an era of overproduced digital music, OCS reminded everyone what real, human connection through song sounds like.
The Verdict: Timeless Brilliance
This wasn’t just a concert; it was a reaffirmation of the power of live music to unite, uplift, and inspire. Kula Shaker brought colour, mysticism, and a fearless energy to the stage, while Ocean Colour Scene offered depth, soul, and the kind of craftsmanship that only comes from a band deeply attuned to each other and their audience.
Nottingham Rock City has seen its share of memorable nights, but this one was special. Two iconic bands, both still hungry, still evolving, and still capable of blowing the roof off. For fans new and old, this was a show that didn’t just live up to expectations—it soared past them.
