On a warm summer evening in Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens, Supergrass brought their 30th anniversary I Should Coco tour to the Irish capital for a second time, following a sold-out performance at the 3Olympia Theatre earlier in May. Performing to a crowd of just over 6,000, the band proved that three decades on, they’ve lost none of the energy, charm, or raw Britpop swagger that made them icons of the 1990s.
Opening the night was Liverpool-born singer-songwriter Matt McManamon, known for fronting The Dead 60s and playing lead guitar with ska legends The Specials. McManamon’s solo set mixed indie-rock grit and Britpop rhythms, and his experience on stage was clear. His voice was strong, his guitar playing tight, and he warmed the crowd up nicely as the early evening sunlight softened the city’s recent heatwave.
As the sun dipped behind the trees of the picturesque public park, Supergrass took the stage to an eruption of cheers. The band launched straight into the infectious, high-speed riffs ”I’d Like To Know”of followed up by ”Caught by the Fuzz” and the crown many of whom had clearly grown up with the band responded with joyous abandon. From that point on, it was a hit-packed celebration of I Should Coco, the band’s 1995 debut album and various hits that captured the energy of the Britpop era while never fully subscribing to its clichés.
Tracks like”Mansize Rooster” / ”Alright” and ”Lenn” were delivered with precision and playfulness, with frontman Gaz Coombes leading the charge in his typically charismatic fashion. His voice hasn’t aged a day still capable of the youthful sneer and melodic clarity that defined the band’s early sound. Behind him, drummer Danny Goffey and bassist Mick Quinn were locked in tight, the rhythm section propelling each song forward with the urgency and groove that always set Supergrass apart from their peers.
The crowd, excitable from the outset, grew increasingly lively as the night wore on. At one point, security had to intervene with a few overzealous fans tossing pints, but the atmosphere remained good-natured overall more celebratory than chaotic. There was a sense of nostalgia in the air, but it wasn’t heavy-handed; rather, it felt like a reunion of friends who hadn’t missed a beat.
Between songs, Coombes thanked the audience for their support over the years. The energy never dipped, and the encore included a blistering version of “Sun Hits the Sky” and the anthemic “Pumping on Your Stereo,” sending fans home on a high.
For fans of the Britpop scene, Supergrass has always been a top-tier act. After last night’s show, it’s easy to see why. Their sound still feels vital, their performance effortless, and their connection with the crowd genuine. A perfect summer gig from a band who never stopped being great.
Matt McManamon photos:
Supergrass photos & set-list:
Set-list:
I’d Like to Know
Caught by the Fuzz
Mansize Rooster
Late in the Day
Mary
Strange Ones
Alright
Time
She’s So Loose
We’re Not Supposed To
Lenny
Sofa – of My Lethargy
Richard III
Moving
Grace
Encore:
Sun Hits the Sky
Pumping on Your Stereo
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic