Richard Ashcroft Named as Support Act for Oasis Reunion Tour
In an exciting development for music fans, Richard Ashcroft, the former frontman of The Verve, has been announced as the support act for Oasis's highly anticipated reunion tour in 2025. This tour will take Ashcroft across the UK and Ireland, with performances scheduled in major cities including Cardiff, Manchester, London, Edinburgh, and Dublin from July to September. The news confirms earlier speculation about his involvement, generating significant buzz among fans of both Ashcroft and Oasis.
In a heartfelt statement, Ashcroft expressed his enthusiasm for the reunion, highlighting the profound impact that Noel and Liam Gallagher have had on his own musical journey. "As a fan from day one, I was buzzing for many reasons when the news of Oasis’s return was announced," he said. "I can say with no exaggeration that the songwriting talent of Noel and Liam’s pure spirit as a lead singer helped to inspire me to create some of my best work." He reminisced about the perfection of Oasis's classic track "Live Forever," which motivated him to pursue his own songwriting endeavors. Ashcroft fondly recalled how Oasis dared to be great, turning dreams into reality, and expressed his eagerness to create new memories alongside them on stage: "Now it’s time to create more memories, and I’m ready to bring it. See you next summer. Music is power."
Ashcroft's illustrious career as the lead singer of The Verve saw him pen some of the most defining songs of the Britpop era, albeit with a darker twist compared to Oasis's more anthemic hits. Tracks like "Bitter Sweet Symphony" and "The Drugs Don’t Work" remain staples in the music landscape. The Verve's seminal 1997 album, "Urban Hymns," achieved monumental success, going 11 times platinum in the UK and becoming the eighth-biggest seller of the decade. The album also garnered platinum status in the US, solidifying Ashcroft's legacy in the industry.
Following his time with The Verve, Ashcroft launched a solo career that saw him produce several hit singles, including "A Song for the Lovers" and "Break the Night With Colour." He released six top-five albums and experimented with a less successful LP in 2010 under the moniker RPA and the United Nations of Sound. The Verve briefly reunited between 2007 and 2009, resulting in their final album, "Forth," which topped the UK charts.
Ashcroft's relationship with the Gallagher brothers dates back to 1993, when Oasis opened for The Verve on tour before the release of their debut single "Supersonic." The two bands have shared a mutual respect over the years, with The Verve later supporting Oasis on their own tours. Notably, in the liner notes of Oasis's iconic album "(What’s the Story) Morning Glory," the track "Cast No Shadow" is dedicated to Ashcroft, acknowledging his influence and artistry.
In a delightful twist, Ashcroft can be heard providing backing vocals on the epic "All Around the World," a nine-minute track from Oasis's 1997 album "Be Here Now." More recently, Liam Gallagher lent his voice to a version of Ashcroft’s single "C’mon People (We’re Making It Now)," which was featured on Ashcroft's 2021 acoustic album "Acoustic Hymns Vol 1."
The upcoming Oasis reunion tour promises to be a landmark event in the music calendar, and with Richard Ashcroft joining as the support act, fans can expect an unforgettable celebration of Britpop and rock heritage. As anticipation builds, fans eagerly await the chance to relive the magic of these iconic artists on stage together once more.
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