Ocean Colour Scene - Live at The LCR, Norwich 28.04.25

2 May

On a warm Tuesday night on the 29th of April, The Norwich LCR at the University of East Anglia was transformed back into the 90s. The nostalgic sounds of Ocean Colour Scene, supported by Kula Shaker, played the city venue for one night only on their 24 date 2025 UK tour.

It was a sold out show for the 1,550 capacity venue and the queue was curling up the pavement well before 7:30 pm when the doors opened.

Gig goers filtered into the building and found a place to see the stage.

At 7:55pm, the room filled with the sounds of “Radhe Radhe”, a song by Hansraj Raghuwanshi. The scent of joss sticks filled the air and the stage had orange flower necklaces draped over speaker boxes and the drum kit to set the tranquil mood.

Crispian Mills enters onto the stage, followed by Jay Darlington behind the keyboard, Paul Winterhart behind the drums and Alonza Bevan sliding on his guitar.

The set started off with “303” and “Gratefully When You're Dead”, leading on to “Jerry Was There”, “Broken Dreams” and “Into The Deep”. The screen lighting up behind with psychedelic colours and pictures of the band.

The crowd swayed with the music and enjoyed the atmosphere.

Crispian speaks to the crowd during breaks in the set, sharing spiritual stories and wisdom which have the audience captivated and cheering.

Next, the band plays “Broke as Folk” and “Shower Your Love”, adding their most recent release “Charge of the Light Brigade” which was only released on the 10th April this year.

Ending the set and Crispian slipping on his beautiful painted custom Fender guitar, named “Lucky 13 - Flying Peacock”, they played their four most popular hits, “Tattva”, “Hey Dude”, “Hush” and “Govinda”, finishing on a high with the whole crowd singing and dancing along.

Photos: @hayleajaynephotography

After a small break, it's time for the main act. The stage gets changed around and instruments get placed.

Ocean Colour Scene takes to the stage with a chorus of cheers and clapping. Simon Fowler walks up to his mic, along with a music stand gathered with notes and his setlist.

Steve Craddock and Raymond Meade put on their guitars and Oscar Harrison slips behind his drum kit to open with the song “The Circle” from their infamous “Moseley Shoals” album.

Hit after hit followed with “I Just Need Myself”, “One for the Road”, Families” and “July”.

The crowd are loving the nostalgic throwback they are receiving, especially with Simon telling anecdotes about being in the band before.

Next, they play songs from more of their older albums, with “Go to Sea”, “So Low”, “Profit in Peace”, “100 Mile High City”, “Mrs Jones”, “She's Been Writing” and “Lining you Pockets”.

A massive cheer erupts when they play the massive hit “The Riverboat Song”. Groups in the crowd are head banging and dancing along to the music, reliving their youth.

The next three songs come from their amazing 1997 album “Marchin’ Already” with “Better Day”, “Get Blown Away” and “Travellers Tune”. Simon is still making jokes into the mic with the band which has the crowd chuckling.

Ending the evening with three massive hits from “Moseley Shoals”, the crowd got treated to “Get Away”, “Robin Hood” and the platinum selling chart topper “The Day We Caught The Train”