Posted on

Sun hits the Scarborough sky for Supergrass on comeback trail

Going out: Supergrass have a run of gigs next summer

EVERYTHING has aligned for Supergrass on the “improbable comeback” trail.

The Oxford four-piece of Gaz Coombes, Danny Goffey, Rob Coombes and Mick Quinn will head to Scarborough Open Air Theatre on June 20 next summer, with tickets going on sale at 9am on Friday.

Coming first will be Supergrass: The Strange Ones 1994-2008, released on BMG on January 24 2020 to mark the 25th anniversary of their chart-topping debut album I Should Coco.

This box set stacks up their six albums on picture-disc LP and CD; bonus CDs of unreleased live material; B-sides; remixes; rarities; studio out-takes; demos; acoustic versions; oddities, new mixes; a deluxe book, posters and button badges.

Supergrass made their comeback in September in a bold manner, taking to the stage unannounced at Glastonbury Pilton Party to rip through a greatest hits set, embracing Richard III, Moving, Alright, Lenny, Going Out, Caught By The Fuzz, Sun Hits The Sky, Pumping On Your Stereo and Grace.

Supergrass are back after a decade away? I should coco

“Everything aligned for us to make this happen for 2020,” says drummer Goffey, recalling September’s re-launch. “It was the first time that we collectively felt the buzz to get back in a room together and play the songs. We’re extremely excited to get out there and bring a bit of Supergrass joy to all our fans… and their extended families.”

Formed in 1993, the Oxford band released the Mercury Prize-nominated I Should Coco in 1995; In It For The Money in 1997; Supergrass, 1999; Life On Other Planets, 2002; Road To Rouen, 2005, and Diamond Hoo Ha, 2008, plus the 2004 compilation Supergrass Is 10.

After the BRIT, NME, Ivor Novello and Q award-winning band split in 2010, Gaz Coombes released his solo albums Here Come The Bombs in 2012, Matador in 2015 and World’s Strongest Man last year.

Quinn has been playing with his own group, DB Band, and has been a member of Swervedriver since 2015; Goffey’s album Schtick came out in 2018.

From Friday (December 20), tickets can be booked on 01723 818111 or 01723 383636; at scarboroughopenairtheatre.com or in person from Scarborough OAT, in Burniston Road, or the Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau, Scarborough Town Hall, St Nicholas Street.

Did you know?

Supergrass’s I Should Coco in 1995 was the Parlophone label’s biggest-selling debut since The Beatles’ Please Please Me in March 1963.

Posted on

Snow Patrol and Little Mix set fair for Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Snow Patrol: sunshine awaits in Scarborough next summer

SNOW Patrol and Little Mix are the new additions to Scarborough Open Air Theatre’s ever-expanding summer season for 2020.

Gary Lightbody’s Northern Irish indie rock band will play on July 4; “the world’s biggest girl band” are booked in for July 21, boosting a line-up already featuring Mixtape (Marc Almond, Heaven 17 and Living In A Box) on July 10 and McFly on August 14.

Tickets will go on sale for Snow Patrol on Friday (November 29) at 9am, preceded by Little Mix on Thursday at 9am, at scarboroughopenairtheatre.com.

This month, Snow Patrol have marked their 25th anniversary by releasing Reworked, 13 reimagined versions of their back-catalogue peaks, complemented by three new recordings, Time Won’t Go Slowly, Think Of Home and Made Of Something Different Now.

Next summer’s show is sure to feature the likes of Run, You’re All I Have, Signal Fire, Called Out In The Dark and Take Back the City and Chasing Cars, officially British radio’s most played song of the 21st century. Expect to hear songs too from 2018’s Wildness, their first studio album after a seven-year hiatus.

Peter Taylor, director of Scarborough Open Air Theatre concert promoters Cuffe and Taylor, says: “Snow Patrol are not only one of the biggest-selling UK bands of the last 20 years, but they are also one of the most critically acclaimed live acts. We are delighted to be bringing them to Scarborough for summer 2020.

“They are behind some of the best-loved indie rock anthems and these special songs are going to sound amazing at this unique venue. I have absolutely no doubts this is going to be an incredible night.”

In the Mix: Little Mix confirmed for Scarborough Open Air Theatre return

Little Mix will head to Scarborough on July 21 as part of a 21-date Summer 2020 tour that will take in Hull College Craven Park Stadium, Hull, on July 12.

They played Scarborough OAT previously in July 2017 and this time will perform such hits as Woman Like Me, Touch, Shout Out To My Ex, Black Magic and Wings.

“Performing live is our favourite thing to do as a band, we love it,” say The X Factor alumni Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson. “Our last summer tour was one of our favourites ever, so we can’t wait for some more brilliant outdoor shows next year. We want everyone to come party with us in the sunshine.”

Record sales of 50 million have seen Little Mix notch up four number one singles, four platinum-selling albums and nine platinum-selling singles in Britain, surpassing a record previously held by the Spice Girls.

Their 2016 album Glory Days was the biggest seller by a female group this century in the UK, alongside being named the longest-reigning Top 40 album for a girl group ever.

This year, Little Mix have toured Europe, Australia, Japan and the United States and taken their LM5 Arena Tour to Britain, Ireland and Europe.

Tickets for both Snow Patrol and Little Mix also will be on sale in person from the Scarborough Open Air Theatre, in Burniston Road, and the Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau, Scarborough Town Hall, St Nicholas Street, and on 01723 818111 and 01723 383636. For Little Mix at Scarborough and Hull, visit livenation.co.uk.

Charles Hutchinson

Posted on

Marc Almond, Heaven 17 and who else are off to Scarborough next summer?

Marc Almond: playing Mixtape night at Scarborough Open Air Theatre



MARC Almond, Heaven 17 and Living In A Box will lead the Mixtape line-up of Eighties and Nineties acts at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on July 10 next summer.

Tickets will go on sale tomorrow (November 22) at 9am for the second SOAT show to be confirmed for 2020 after McFly were booked in for August 14.
Peter Taylor, directorof venue programmers Cuffe and Taylor, says: “We are delighted to announce Mixtape, the much-requested return of an ‘80s and ‘90s night to Scarborough Open Air Theatre.

Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17


“Previous shows have always been a big party night and, since the last ‘80s and ‘90s night here in 2017, we’ve been repeatedly asked for another one. We’ve listened, and Mixtape is here for summer 2020.
“Marc Almond, Heaven 17 and Living In A Box are not only three great artists with a string of major hits between them, but they all have such a strong local connection. We feel sure this will be another great night on the stunning Yorkshire coast.”
Lancashire-born Marc Almond first made his mark as frontman of chart-topping Leeds synthpop duo Soft Cell before branching out into a diverse solo career.
He was awarded an OBE for services to music and the arts, an Ivor Novello Inspiration Award, an Icon Award by Attitude Magazine and a Mojo Magazine Inspiration Award, as well as receiving an Honorary Fellowship from Leeds College of Music. 

Living In A Bx…now featuring Kenny Thomas

Sheffield electronic stalwarts Heaven 17 will celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2020. Born out of the schism in the original Human League, they still feature Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware, makers of such hits as Temptation and Come Live With Me and the albums Penthouse And Pavement and The Luxury Gap.

Fellow Sheffield band Living In A Box have joined forces with double BRIT nominee Kenny Thomas, the Nineties’ soul singer, who has taken over the lead vocals.

Tickets will be on sale at scarboroughopenairtheatre.com, in person from the SOAT box office, in Burniston Road, or the Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau, in Scarborough Town Hall, St Nicholas Street, or on 01723 818111 and 01723 383636.

Charles Hutchinson