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Ocean Colour Scene, Leeds O2 Academy
Graham Clark, Features Writer
Martha Reeves and The Vandellas
For those who got in early Martha Reeves and The Vandellas were an extra treat. Martha told the Leeds audience she had come all the way from Detroit and wasn't going to go off stage early as she and the Vandellas gave a storming version of Dancing In The Street. Complete with an 8 piece band including a 4 piece brass section it felt like she was the headline act. A wise choice to support Ocean Colour Scene.

Think of Ocean Colour Scene and BritPop and Chris Evans' Friday night TV Show comes to mind. Fast forward to 2018 and the band are going stronger than ever.

In the tradition of classic British groups like The Kinks, The Small Faces and The Jam they have their roots when music and style went hand in hand.

Ocean Colour Scene
Lead singer Simon Fowler has an instant rapport with the fans, nursing a heavy cold the singer, always the professional carried on. Guitarist Steve Craddock looked slim and stylish - his son is now in the line up - he must have his dad's musical genes as he swapped easily between guitar, mandolin and keyboards.

Also by Graham Clark...
Mariah Carey, Leeds Arena
Alexander's Christmas Menu, Skipton
Rita Ora - Phoenix (Atlantic Records)
James Come Home To The North
Compilation - Dave Pearce - Dance Anthems (New State Music)
With a strong back catalogue such as The Riverboat Song, Better Day and The Circle it could easily have turned into a greatest hits set. New song Be With You sounded just as good as the old tracks.

When Steve Craddock's amp decides not to work, Fowler still remains on stage not to let the fans down, his experience shone through. Full credit to him too for continuing when feeling under the weather.

The Day We Caught The Train closed a brilliant night; as the fans took over singing the song it could have been back in the 90's again.

Ocean Colour Scene, Leeds O2 Academy, 6th December 2018, 17:00 PM