Johnny Marr/Gaz Coombes - O2 Academy, Bristol - 11th April
Image by Gary Maher
Well, this was quite the double-header.
An artist of Johnny Marr’s stature would be enticing enough, but for his tenth anniversary tour (commemorating last year’s Best Of, Spirit Power) the legendary Mancunian has pulled out all the stops.
Not least with his choice of support act: Gaz Coombes could probably fill Bristol’s biggest venue (capacity 1600) on his own but, freed from such pressures and obligations for his last album, the Supergrass frontman takes the opportunity to present his own, esteemed solo career.
Through necessity, Coombes’ six-piece band squash together at the front of the stage for his ten-song set but it matters naught, with a relaxed energy and comfortability reflected by the singer, a man clearly comfortable with his place in the world.
From the clanging, driving one-off single ‘Salamander’ (featuring some raucous saxophone), there’s a noticeable ease and positive vibe emanating from the stage.