Simon, Oscar and Steve played to a sold out Royal Festival
Hall to celebrate their 25th birthday. As ever, they do not
disappoint.
The semi-acoustic gig allowed for more of their underrated
folk numbers ‘She’s Been Writing’ and ‘Village life’ to get an airing. The
accompaniment of the string quartet heightens the beauty of these Fairport
Convention inspired numbers.
Fans always remark upon Simon Fowler’s voice and Steve
Craddock’s guitar playing when they see them live but this environment
highlights just how great they are and why, as a partnership, they should be
considered one the best of all time. Fowler can switch between heartbroken
English folk music to an energized mod in a heartbeat whilst Craddock, having
to reduce the tempo, ramps up the psyche elements of his guitar playing to
create something special.
Usually at this point, we’d describe the highlights from the
set. However, this is a career spanning set which we’re certain everyone has
read a review of before. So, we asked ourselves in the office, what makes OCS a
band who continually sell out big venues every year?
Other than the obvious answer that the songs are effing
marvelous, TT feels it’s the common touch Simon Fowler’s lyrics have so often
provided. The mid 90s was an era of working class bands breaking through for
various reasons. Oasis were brilliant and an example of just how special people
from humble backgrounds could be. Blur and Pulp wrote fantastic social commentary
about lives people recognised and Suede were superb at turning squalor into
beauty.
Whereas, OCS always felt like an extension of their fans on
stage. ‘So Low’ depicted how so many people felt and feel about getting up for
work (good or badly paid) and ‘Travellers Tune’ could have been any group of friends
in the UK on a weekend away. Perhaps best of all though was line from ‘Get
Blown Away’:
‘And Monday she'll go down town standing naked in the road /
You may know what I am / But who I am you don't know’
This line epitomised how they were always one of ‘you’ on
stage. The normality of them probably shortened their careers in the mainstream
(one only has to look at how albums 5-7 were overlooked) but year in and year
out big venues are sold out. This isn't just an annual nostalgia trip either,
any new album tour is supported by an always respectful crowd.
We only hope and pray that a few bands starting out today
follow their mantra.
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