January 3, 2008
I know what you're thinking - how could a group like Supergrass who've been on the scene for over 10 years and play lively pop-rock produce anything new and exciting without offending their hardcode fans, some of whom had paid over £20 per ticket (and more on eBay!)? This price did mean those hardcore fans were there to enjoy themselves even if this meant standing stolidly still for the entirety of the set.
Fortunately a younger crew took up camp at the front left of the stage to mosh wildly throughout, earning special commendation from Gaz at the end. This I think demonstrates the genius of Supergrass. True they didn't produce anything new or even that impressive, not compared to the musical jiggery-pokery of support band Little Fishes, whose chameleon like lead singer worked her way from Mick Jagger to PJ Harvey and back but with some truly touching moments such as "It wasn't my plan (to fall in love with you)".
The Supergrass set, backed by flashing Christmas trees and a massive organ (oo..er), resembled a religious gathering. The atmosphere was such that you could be forgiven for thinking the band was channelling the spirit of rock and roll glory through the all-in-white priest-like figure of Gaz Coombes.
Aspiring front men take note... the reason why Gaz seemed so captivating was his absolute engrossment in the performance. I wouldn't have been surprised if he went offstage at the end and collapsed, unable to remember any of the show, such was the intensity. The stand out tracks were in some ways the clichéd old favourites: Moving, Pumping on my stereo and Caught by the Fuzz. During these moments you could almost imagine the assembled throng stumbling out like a possessed army of Supergrass zombies to ram raid Next for white jeans or do the bidding of the Lord Gaz. Appropriate then that the last song of the night should be "Silent Night" with confused moshers singing along.
Some of you might at this stage be thinking I'm in love with Gaz Coombes.. and you'd be right... all hail Gaz and the Supergrassers!
Fortunately a younger crew took up camp at the front left of the stage to mosh wildly throughout, earning special commendation from Gaz at the end. This I think demonstrates the genius of Supergrass. True they didn't produce anything new or even that impressive, not compared to the musical jiggery-pokery of support band Little Fishes, whose chameleon like lead singer worked her way from Mick Jagger to PJ Harvey and back but with some truly touching moments such as "It wasn't my plan (to fall in love with you)".
The Supergrass set, backed by flashing Christmas trees and a massive organ (oo..er), resembled a religious gathering. The atmosphere was such that you could be forgiven for thinking the band was channelling the spirit of rock and roll glory through the all-in-white priest-like figure of Gaz Coombes.
Aspiring front men take note... the reason why Gaz seemed so captivating was his absolute engrossment in the performance. I wouldn't have been surprised if he went offstage at the end and collapsed, unable to remember any of the show, such was the intensity. The stand out tracks were in some ways the clichéd old favourites: Moving, Pumping on my stereo and Caught by the Fuzz. During these moments you could almost imagine the assembled throng stumbling out like a possessed army of Supergrass zombies to ram raid Next for white jeans or do the bidding of the Lord Gaz. Appropriate then that the last song of the night should be "Silent Night" with confused moshers singing along.
Some of you might at this stage be thinking I'm in love with Gaz Coombes.. and you'd be right... all hail Gaz and the Supergrassers!