OXFORD rock star Gaz Coombes has had an extraordinary year.
Having started 2023 with the release of probably his best album to date, the award-winning singer-songwriter has barely touched the ground with a touring schedule that has taken him the length and breadth of Britain, to the best of Europe and, most recently, on a stadium tour of Australia as main support to Robbie Williams.
This week, the Supergrass frontman – one of the most successful and best-loved artists to have emerged from the city’s music scene – flew back from a sun-kissed Down Under into a soggy England for what promises to be the best show of the year: a gig tomorrow at the New Theatre Oxford.
The show, his first solo hometown gig for five years, will see Gaz play songs from his four solo albums alongside his virtuoso band of largely-Oxfordshire musicians in front of an audience of fans, family and friends. And tickets are still available.
“Things are going great,” says Gaz, speaking from his family home in Wheatley.
“It’s been a crazy couple of months and it was a great trip – we had such a blast. It was a real laugh and Robbie and his people were great.
“But it’s lovely to be back. It feels fresh after Australia and definitely more like Christmas.”
The set list at the George Street venue will feature tunes from his fourth solo album, ‘Turn The Car Around’, which debuted at No.6 in the UK Official Album Charts, along with bangers from his highly acclaimed ‘Here Come The Bombs’, the Mercury and Ivor Novello-nominated ‘Matador’, and instant classic ‘World’s Strongest Man’.
“I can’t wait to be playing my hometown,” he says with genuine delight.
“It has been a long time coming.
“We’ve had an amazing year. We’ve travelled around a lot and had a great summer of festivals and touring – and this is a brilliant way to finish the year, doing a hometown show. I’m really excited.”
News of the show has delighted fans, many of whom have followed him since his earliest days – starting off at the age 16 in The Jennifers, before forming Supergrass with bandmate Danny Goffey, and friend Mick Quinn, whom he had met while working at his local Harvester.
Supergrass, which later expanded to take in Gaz’s brother Rob, went on to have six Top 20 albums, three going platinum. Their first album, ‘I Should Coco’, proved the biggest-selling debut for Parlophone since the Beatles released ‘Please Please Me’ in 1963.
Tomorrow’s show is a solo affair though, and follows a long wait. The closest to home he has played this year was a spectacular set at Penn Fest in neighbouring Buckinghamshire, sharing a bill with fellow rock icons Noel Gallagher of Oasis and Johnny Marr of The Smiths.
Gaz says he is thrilled to be able to share his latest work alongside his band of friends: Mike Monaghan, Garo Nahoulakian, Nick Fowler, Tomas Greenhalf and backing singers and percussionists The Roxies – Piney Gir, Amy Ashworth and Emma Brammer.
“The new album is sounding great with this band,” he says. “The band are on fire and have hit their stride. I love those guys. They are immensely talented and intuitive and we have turned into a strong family. I wouldn’t work with anyone else.
“This is a great time to come and see us.”
After the show there is a bit of time for Gaz and the band to relax for Christmas, but exciting things are planned for the new year – including a tour with the aforementioned Johnny Marr, and, he hints, possibly a project with Robbie Williams, with whom he teamed up for some songwriting before their tour.
“It’s such a pleasure to hang out with cool people who create nice work,” says Gaz.
“There’s some great stuff on the horizon – but first we have the New Theatre!
“I can’t wait to see all those familiar faces and lots of family and friends. It will be an amazing, glittering, night!”
- Gaz Coombes plays the New Theatre Oxford tomorrow (Sunday, December 10, 2023)
- Tickets from atgtickets.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article