The Jam and Ocean Colour Scene announce Borders tour dates

David Knox • Published 10 Sep 2009 13:49 0 Comments

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TIME OUT has teamed up with Combination Arena Concerts to give our readers the once-in-a-lifetime chance of getting up close and personal with two of the country's most influential bands.

The Jam are coming to Galashiels next month for a warm-up show ahead of their O2 Academy Tour.

As well as having a pair of tickets to catch one of the most important acts of the late 1970s and early 80s you can also meet original drummer Rick Buckler and bass player Bruce Foxton.

If that wasn't enough, we have a similar competition to see Ocean Colour Scene celebrate their 21st birthday at Springwood Hall in Kelso.

And, again, we will also arrange for our winners to have a pre-gig chat with the band and pick up some autographs.

Andy Fisher from Combination Arena Concerts told Time Out: "We expect both nights will be close to selling out as The Jam and Ocean Colour Scene have loyal followings."

The Jam enjoyed a five year reign as kings of late 70s and early 80s music with an endless stream of hits including Going Underground, Down in the Tube Station at Midnight, A Town Called Malice, Strange Town and The Eton Rifles.

The trio of modfather Paul Weller, Buckler and Foxton split in 1982, after selling more than £14 million albums worldwide, to concentrate on fresh projects. Weller went on to form The Style Council before having a massively successful solo career, while Foxton and Buckler did some other less productive and commercial projects.

Despite a lot of hype at the start of the year Weller turned down the invitation to reunite with his former band mates. But the set back was short-lived as Foxton and Buckler quickly announced their latest reunion tour - and for the first time ever they will come to the Scottish Borders.

An extra bonus for local fans is the support act for the Volunteer Hall show will be none other than Bruce Watson from Big Country - the band who supported The jam on their last tour in 1982. Watson plays with his son, Jamie, and delivers a rocking set of former Big Country and Skids classics.

The Jam play the Volunteer Hall on Friday, October 16.

Ocean Colour Scene may not quite have the pedigree of The Jam but their 20 years of sensational song-writing and memorable performances have won them just about as many fans.

The Kelso show will arrive just weeks after the release of a new album and follows headlining performances at Oxegen, Belladrum and The V Festival.

And it will be the first time that anthems such as The Day We Caught the Train, Riverboat Song and You've Got It Bad have been played live in the Borders.

Ocean Colour Scene will arrive at Kelso's Springwood Hall on Wednesday, November 18.

Tickets for both concerts are now on sale at Guess What and Niki's Bar in Galashiels, Browns Newsagents in Kelso, Spence's Music in Hawick and Borderevents.com.

But to be in with a chance of meeting the bands and winning a pair of tickets just tell us which year The Jam split up.

Answers to Meet the Band, Border Telegraph, 113 Channel Street, Galashiels. TD1 1BN (usual rules apply).

Please specify which band you'd like to meet - closing date for entries is September 18.

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