‘Young and foolish’: Ocean Colour Scene’s Simon Fowler on living in the Britpop era with Oasis

Virgin Radio

25 Oct 2023, 11:49

Simon Fowler has reflected on the special time during the 90s that Britpop ruled the music roost ahead of a celebration dedicated to the genre. 

Britpop Classical will be an orchestral celebration of the mid-1990s music movement featuring Simon of Ocean Colour Scene, John Power of Cast & The La’s, Mark Chadwick of Levellers, Saffron of Republica, and Mark Morriss of The Bluetones.

Not only will they perform some of their own greatest hits, but they’ll also belt out some of the most iconic Britpop songs of the era. 

The Britpop Classical shows will take place at London’s Eventim Apollo on 7th June 2024, Birmingham Symphony Hall on 8th June, and Manchester Bridgewater Hall on 9th June. 

During an exclusive chat with virginradio.co.uk all about the tour, Simon reminisced about the 90s era, during which he, alongside the likes of Noel and Liam Gallagher, had the UK music scene in the palm of their hands. 

“It was great, great fun,” Simon told us. “I wouldn't want to do it now. Too much staying up!

“We were younger and foolish. It was everything you can imagine. It was great fun. We were in the best gang, we were with Paul [Weller] and Oasis. So ours was the best gang.”

While he’s sure those shenanigans that the Britpop scene were known for won’t be occurring when he heads out on the road with a new gang next year, Simon did allude that he is often “easily led” but as the oldest should “probably try and be in charge.”

While you might not expect to hear Britpop hits as Wonderwall, There She Goes and The Circle with some classical undertones being performed with a live orchestra, Simon admitted that both genres blend much more seamlessly than you might think. 

Speaking about taking on a refreshed look at the 90s genre, Simon shared: “We did, as Ocean Colour Scene, the three of us, me Steve [Cradock] and Oscar [Harrison], a tour with a string quartet called The Q Strings. We played the Symphony Hall in Birmingham. We played at the Bridgewater Hall and the Festival Hall in London. It was fantastic, it was a really, really nice experience and The Q Strings are lovely.”

“The two [genres] have always gone sort of hand-in-hand, I guess since those cheeky Beatles made Sgt. Pepper. So I'd say I've got a great admiration for classical music and romantic music. I know a fair bit about it, really. So it's just up my street.”

Britpop Classical begins on 7th June 2024 at London’s Eventim Apollo. Tickets to Britpop Classical are on sale now and available from Ticketmaster.