Photos: Gaz Coombes at the Masonic Lodge

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Gaz Coombes at Masonic Lodge, April 2, 2016. Photo by Michelle Shiers

The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery filled in for ex-Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes during the last show of his U.S. tour.  Having taken some time to get across the pond for solo shows in support of his early-2015 album “Matador,” Coombes was finally able to satiate an audience full of excited ex-pats and mature fans. Usually with a four-piece band in tow, Coombes instead did his entire 15-song set as one man.  The Britpopper-turned-troubadour moved from piano to acoustic to electric guitar, occasionally backed by his loop station. Opening with “Oscillate” and “Buffalo” from that sophomore album, he showed off the emotional depth and eclectic reflection within his solo work.

While obvious comparisons will still be made to Supergrass’ catalog, Coombes has shown himself to be gaining steadier footing on his own, with a sound not totally unlike other fellow Oxford peers.  The audience stood attentively and politely as he moved through one song after another and while everyone may have secretly wanted to hear a Supergrass track or two, nobody seemed to expect or call out for it. This made it all the more gratifying when he started to play nostalgic sing-along “Moving” from Supergrass’ self-titled 1999 album.

Coombes showed off his chops, both guitar and mutton, while his discernible voice soared to the high ceilings, his modesty bringing it back down to earth.  He noted, “I can’t believe this is the last night of the tour. “I’m not digging that at all. Maybe I’ll have to come back really soon.” Everyone agreed. He closed his main set with “The Girl Who Fell To Earth” and “20/20,” then retreated behind the curtain only to quickly return for an encore of “Matador.” Fans in the front row got a peek at the setlist showing “Matador” as the final end, but Coombes motioned toward to audience asking if people wanted one more. He pleased everyone with a performance of “Caught By The Fuzz” from Supergrass’ debut album “I Should Coco.” After the show, he joined his loyal hangers-on in the lodge foyer to sign records and take photos.

Coombes was supported by London-based Kansas musician Piney Gir who, along with an electric autoharp, melodica and guitarist, whet the palates of the audience with her quaint folk.

Photos by Michelle Shiers