Supergrass – In Concert at Rock City, Nottingham – January 18, 1998 – BBC Radio 1 In Concert –
Supergrass to get the weekend rolling. In a year loaded with less-than-hopeful news about Music and the world in general, it was an enormous bright spot when Supergrass announced a reunion set for 2020, and of course took the stage for the first time since breaking up in 2010 for a surprise appearance at Glastonbury’s Pilton Party in London last night (September 6). Next up is an appearance in Oslo on Monday (September 9). For fans of the band (which I count myself as one), this comes as great news. The abrupt splitting of the band left a lot of confusion, especially since they were at work on their seventh album, Releasing The Drones when it happened. Singer/Co-founder Gaz Coombes went on to a highly successful solo career since the split up, but suddenly announced a reunion by way of a teaser Instagram post (#Supergrass2020). Speculation ran rife until a surprise gig was announced and performed last night, in addition to the Oslo gig (which, it’s reported is sold out already). The surprise gig consisted of a “greatest hits” collection, with no new music – but that may change with the Oslo gig – you never know.
But for a reminder of Supergrass in concert, this gig from a 1998 appearance at Rock City in Nottingham and lovingly preserved by BBC Radio 1 for their In Concert series should whet a few appetites and perhaps stimulate some new fans in the process. What’s happening for 2020 is anyone’s guess – a tour is on the books, but whether they make it to the States is up for speculation. Also up for speculation is whether or not Releasing The Drones will finally be finished or be scrapped for a whole new batch of songs.
In any event, it’s good news for a band that turned out a lot of classic material and were synonymous with the 90s and who have been considered (at least in the States) one of the great underrated bands of all time.
Crank this one up.
