My radio appearances give me the chance to talk about the music I love without a guitar strapped on, and the latest was a full takeover of the Definitely 90s show on Lichfield Radio at the start of November 2026. I am Andy Starkey, front man and bass player of Britpop Reunion, and host Hannah Weaver let me choose the playlist, tell the stories behind the songs and chat about life in a 90s tribute band. I have also appeared on BBC Radio 4 talking about tribute acts as well as many other radio appearances. Contact band leader Andy to check on fee and availability for live shows or a guest slot on your own radio show or podcast.
Radio appearances on Lichfield Radio: the Definitely 90s takeover
Definitely 90s goes out live on Monday afternoons from Lichfield Radio, and Hannah introduced me as the founder of Britpop Reunion. We had no real prep but I put together a playlist of the songs I play and love to listen to, and we simply talked our way through them. I had planned a wilder list, with jungle, dance tracks and boy bands from the decade, but this felt like the right one for a first visit. We both said we should have been given two hours, so I hope to be asked back. Lichfield is a friendly place to visit, and our Lichfield Guildhall page explains our local connection.
Opening with Oasis: Rock ‘n’ Roll Star
If you are starting a Britpop radio show, you open with a bit of Oasis, and why not begin with the first song on their first album? Rock ‘n’ Roll Star was written by Noel Gallagher, performed by Oasis and appears on Definitely Maybe. It was never released as a UK single, so it has no chart position of its own, although the album went straight to number one in 1994. It was probably the first Oasis song I ever heard.
I confessed on air that I am not the huge Oasis fan people assume. Being in a Britpop tribute makes people think you must be, but for me it is the first two albums. There is not a bad song on (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, and not a bad B side either. After the big outdoor shows the band moved into longer, heavier songs, and I preferred the short punk rock ethic tracks of the early days. I also shared my thoughts on the recent documentary and on the live mix, which I thought was too heavy on kick drum and vocals and too light on guitars. You can read more about the band on our Definitely Maybe 30th anniversary page.
Richard III by Supergrass and a drive through Cannock
Richard III was written by Supergrass with keyboard player Rob Coombes and performed by Supergrass. It comes from the album In It for the Money (I actually got the album titles mixed up live on air here, but hey…this is what happens sometimes when you do things live) and reached number two in the UK in 1997. It was a huge departure from the poppy, sixties flavoured debut I Should Coco, and it sounds nothing like the band’s earlier hit Alright that we still play in the set.
I remember exactly where I was when I first heard it. I was driving from Cannock towards Wolverhampton to rehearse with my original band at the time, and as I reached the McDonald’s island the song came on the Radio 1 evening show. I thought it was the new Smashing Pumpkins single. It was a shock to hear it was Supergrass, and it blew me away. I would love to play it live, but singing and playing bass at the same time makes it a tricky one. Have a look at our Supergrass tribute page and our live Supergrass cover to see what we do play.
How Britpop Reunion began
I have been running the band for around 14 years. Back in the 90s I was listening to Oasis, Supergrass, Cast and James and always thought I would put a Britpop tribute together one day. The name comes from those early years, when we played hardcore Britpop, including lesser known songs by bands like Mansun and The Bluetones. Promoters liked that, but most audiences did not know the songs, and the dance floor sometimes stayed flat.
So we honed the act over the years. We kept the essentials of Britpop and added the key songs of the 90s more widely, including artists like Alanis Morissette, Robbie Williams, 4 Non Blondes etc. I like taking a female song, changing the key and putting a male vocal on it to give it that Britpop feel. If I were naming the band today I might call it “Nineties Reunion”, but you cannot change a name after this long. If you want to know more about what we play, see our 90s tribute band repertoire.
We are a four piece. I sing and play bass, and there is a lead guitarist, a rhythm guitarist and a drummer, all singing harmonies. Members come and go like in any business, but the current line up has been together a long time. Recordings from the 90s have so many guitar layers that we decide which parts to play live and then bring it all together, and 99 times out of 100 it works. My rule is that the band is not about us, it is about the audience. If I only played for myself I would be in some obscure tribute, but I want people up dancing.
Forgotten favourites and the darker side of Britpop
Wide Open Space by Mansun
Written by Paul Draper and performed by Mansun, this single came from the album Attack of the Grey Lantern and reached number 15 in the UK. It is on my playlist for my funeral, and it gives me goosebumps. Mansun seem forgotten these days, but that debut album was phenomenal. I saw them supporting Cast at The Wulfrun in Wolverhampton, which hosted so many great bands. It is a simple song with only a couple of chords, but it builds with real emotion.
Female of the Species by Space
Space were a Liverpool band, and this song was written by Tommy Scott with James Fagan, Franny Griffiths and Andy Parle. It comes from the album Spiders and reached number 14 in 1996. It has a totally sixties flavour, and Space are still touring today. We played it a while back, it drifted out of the set, and now it returns just in time for our very 90s Christmas show.
Sleep by Marion
Marion were from Macclesfield, and Sleep was written by Jaime Harding, Tony Grantham and Phil Cunningham. It is on the album This World and Body. The first release in 1995 reached number 53, then a re-recorded version in 1996 climbed to number 17. I call them the darker side of Britpop, which really was just indie pop under another name. The band’s story ended in turmoil, but they were fantastic live and I saw them a few times. I mentioned that their second album was produced by Johnny Marr, which hardly anybody talks about. I would love to play Sleep live, but I doubt a wedding crowd would appreciate it.
Playing live: festivals, weddings and a very 90s Christmas
Hannah asked about favourite gigs. I loved playing the festival at Silverstone, and there is plenty of footage on our Silverstone performance page. A friend came along with a huge video camera and recorded it all. I enjoy festivals as much as the small intimate gigs. We have even played a private festival at a mansion in the Derbyshire Dales for about 40 people, which felt like the biggest stage we had ever had. We love weddings, birthdays and corporate events too, and getting a field of people to sing back at you never gets old.
Stereotypes, She Said, She’s a Star and Babies
Stereotypes by Blur
Stereotypes was written by Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree and performed by Blur. It opens the album The Great Escape and reached number seven in February 1996. You cannot do a Britpop show without Blur. I first saw them at Aston Villa Leisure Centre in 1994 on the Parklife tour, with Pulp supporting, and the gig was broadcast live on Steve Lamacq’s Radio 1 show. My mum was at home ready to press record, and the tape still has me and my mate screaming in the background. I also gave my views on their recent albums, and I love how Magic Whip grew on me. See our Blur tribute band page.
She Said by Longpigs
Written by Crispin Hunt, Richard Hawley, Simon Stafford and Dee Boyle and performed by Longpigs, She Said is from the album The Sun Is Often Out. It reached number 67 in 1995, then number 16 on re-release in 1996. Crispin Hunt is now a senior figure at PRS for Music, which helps songwriters get paid when songs are played on the radio, and Richard Hawley became a celebrated solo artist who has worked with Elbow and Pulp. We tried hard to make the song work live but could never match the record, so we dropped it.
She’s a Star by James
Written and performed by James, She’s a Star opened the album Whiplash and reached number nine in 1997. We used to play it, but it was pushed out by two crowd pleasing James songs the audience always asks for, as you can see on our James cover page. There is only so much time on stage. Hannah told me she saw James at a small London venue as a young gig goer, and we agreed that your first live band can be life changing.
Babies by Pulp
We finished with Babies. Written by Pulp, with lyrics by Jarvis Cocker, it comes from the album His ‘n’ Hers. It missed the chart in 1992, then reached number 19 in 1994 as the lead track on The Sisters EP. I remember Jarvis wheeling himself on stage in a wheelchair at that Aston Villa gig, a theatrical trick people liked to use in the 90s to get fans talking. Pulp are back together and touring, and I have seen them a few times. Our Pulp tribute band page shows how they fit into our set.
Why the 90s are back
Hannah and I both felt the 90s were our time. It was when we started going out, found independence and grew up. Now the kids are into baggy clothes and the bands, and old songs are being sampled, remixed and put into films. It usually takes about 20 years for a decade to return, so this one has come round fast. I think melody is the key. Noel Gallagher says the guy in the white van should be able to hum it, and I agree. I even get song ideas from hearing tunes in the supermarket. Recreating all the little parts you hear on headphones is much harder with a live band.
BBC Radio 4 and the tribute band debate
Lichfield was not my first time on air. In December 2021 BBC Radio 4 asked me to discuss tribute bands alongside Pulp drummer Nick Banks. You can read the full story in my BBC radio write-up.
Book Andy for radio appearances or hire the band
I am happy to join radio shows and podcasts to talk Britpop and the 90s, and you can learn more on my Britpop artist Andy Starkey page. If you enjoyed the songs, the Britpop tribute band Britpop Reunion plays them live at parties and festivals. When you are ready, book a Britpop tribute band with us.