Live Review: Supergrass – I Should Coco – 30th Anniversary Tour
7th June 2025, Forum, Melbourne
Review by Jeana Thomas
Photography by
I just got back from Supergrass’ I Should Coco 30th Anniversary Tour show and I’m still buzzing like I’ve downed a triple espresso! As a long-time fan who’s been spinning I Should Coco since I snagged a scratched-up CD from a record shop ages ago, last night was everything I hoped for and more. Let me take you through the absolute riot of a night it was, with all the sweaty, nostalgic, grin-inducing chaos that only Supergrass can deliver.
I Should Coco, Supergrass’ debut album from 1995, is a fizzy, fearless explosion of Britpop brilliance that became their best-selling record, shifting over a million copies worldwide. Packed with cheeky anthems like “Alright” and “Caught by the Fuzz,” it’s a 40-minute joyride of jangly guitars, punky energy and Gaz Coombes’ snarling yet catchy vocals. From the raw rush of “Mansize Rooster” to the dreamy haze of “Sofa (Of My Lethargy),” it captures the band’s youthful, carefree spirit. It’s no wonder this album, with its infectious hooks and quirky British charm, still feels like a timeless party 30 years on.
The stage was set with a striking backdrop—a giant rendition of the Coco album cover, prominently displaying the band members’ faces in bold, eye-catching detail. Gaz Coombes, Danny Goffey, Mick Quinn and Rob Coombes walked on the stage to a huge applause. They kicked off with “I’d like to know” and I swear it was like bursting out of the gate like a Britpop rollercoaster, fast, cheeky and packed with the kind of youthful energy that makes you want to start a band in your garage immediately. The whole venue was singing along and Gaz’s vocals had that perfect mix of snarl and cheeky charm. I Should Coco in full was the main event and every track was a banger. “Alright” had us all jumping like idiots, belting out “We are young, we run green, keep our teeth nice and clean” with zero shame. That iconic piano riff? Pure serotonin. And “Strange Ones”? It turned the place into a sweaty, joyous pit.
What makes Supergrass so special is their vibe, like they’re just a bunch of mates having a laugh and you’re invited. Gaz was moving with the energy and enthusiasm of someone half his age. Danny was smashing the drums with this wild grin and Mick’s basslines were tight as ever. Rob’s keyboards added that extra layer of magic, especially on dreamier tracks like “Sofa (Of My Lethargy).” That song’s psychedelic vibe hit even harder live, with the crowd swaying like we were all in some ‘90s fever dream. The whole set felt like I Should Coco’s scrappy, youthful spirit was alive and well, 30 years later.
I was a bit worried they’d stick too strictly to the album and skip their other classics, but Supergrass delivered the goods. After tearing through I Should Coco, they treated us to a handful of gems from their later albums. “Pumping on Your Stereo” was an absolute riot—those chunky riffs had the whole place bouncing. They even dusted off “Richard III” from In It for the Money, and it was pure fire, all gritty and snarling. I’d forgotten how much that song slaps live.
Seeing them live reminded me why I Should Coco is such a timeless record. It’s not just nostalgia, it’s the jangly guitars, the infectious hooks and that quintessential British wit woven into every lyric. Tracks like “Mansize Rooster” had me grinning like an idiot and I wasn’t alone. I overheard some fans near me raving about how they felt 17 again and I totally got it. Supergrass have this knack for making you feel young and reckless, even if you’re pushing a bigger age bracket and your knees are screaming from all the jumping.
The energy in the room was unreal. I caught a glimpse of Gaz smirking at the crowd during “Alright,” like he knew exactly what this meant to us. The band’s dynamic crackled with a familiar spark, their seamless interplay revealing a connection that’s only grown sharper with time and they’re tighter than ever.
This tour is a love letter to their roots and its clear Supergrass are loving every second of it. After their 2010 split, their 2019 reunion felt like a miracle and now this? It’s proof they’ve still got that spark. I saw some post from other fans raving about the show and one guy called it “a proper ‘90s party.” Spot on. If you missed this gig, I’m gutted for you, but there’s still time to catch another stop on the tour. Trust me, you need this in your life. Supergrass just proved they’re not just a band, they’re a vibe, a time machine and a bloody good time. Here’s to I Should Coco and the lads who made it a classic. What a night!
ROCKET SCIENCE
Blast Off with Fuzz, Fury and Futuristic Flair
Rocket Science opened for Supergrass on their I Should Coco 30th Anniversary Tour and what a way to kick off the night! As a Melbourne garage-punk outfit supporting the Britpop legends, Rocket Science brought a gritty, electrifying vibe that had me hooked from the first chord. As someone who’s been digging their cult classics like “Burn in Hell” for a while now, seeing them live was like uncorking a bottle of fizzy, psychedelic chaos.
Right out the gate, Rocket Science hit the stage with this raw, unpolished energy that’s so their style. Frontman Roman Tucker was a total firecracker, strutting and snarling with this wild, Iggy Pop-meets-’60s garage swagger. Their set was a glorious mash-up of trashy punk, psych-rock and new-wave edge—think The Stooges jamming with The B-52s in a sweaty Melbourne dive bar. They delivered a high-octane set that showed off their wild, genre-blending flair, tearing through tracks like ‘Heroes on the Wall’ and ‘Pop Lover’ with psychedelic swagger. ‘Copycat’ and ‘One Robot’ brought punchy, synth-laced grooves that had the crowd bouncing, while ‘Burn in Hell’ closed things with a fiery, chaotic edge—equal parts garage rock snarl and space-age attitude. Each song was a ride, full of twists, noise and attitude, proving Rocket Science haven’t lost their knack for turning musical mayhem into something magnetic.
What I love about Rocket Science is how they don’t take themselves too seriously, but they’re so tight as a band. They’ve been at it since ’98 and it shows – every riff, every beat felt like it was meant to be. Rolling Stone once called them one of Australia’s best live acts and I get why. The set wasn’t long, but it was like a shot of espresso – short, intense and leaving you wired. My only gripe? I wanted more!
For a Supergrass crowd hyped for I Should Coco, Rocket Science was the perfect appetiser – grungy, fun and just a bit unhinged. They set the stage on fire and left us all primed for the main act. If you haven’t checked them out yet, do yourself a favour and dive into their catalogue. Rocket Science is proof that Aussie rock still has plenty of spark.
About the Writer: Originally hailing from Western Australia, Jeana Thomas now thrives in the vibrant city of Melbourne. Amidst the hustle of her role in a prominent teaching hospital, she also navigates the dynamic world of entrepreneurship as the owner of a medical transcription company. Beyond her professional endeavours, Jeana finds solace and joy in the rhythm of music, the allure of travel and the artistry of photography, with a particular passion for wildlife photography.
About Sheldon Ang Media: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to more than 170 of the hottest acts including Coldplay (Perth), Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK and The Kid LAROI with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, UB40, Delta Goodrem, The Wiggles and Toni Childs on social media. The founder has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 70 artists. SAM is also a music journalist on the Triple M Radio network.