Richard Ashcroft has taken to the stage at the first Oasis Live ‘25 reunion show – here is everything he played.
The former frontman of The Verve has a long and storied history with the Gallagher brothers and he is set to open for them at all 19 of their massive UK and Ireland dates this summer, along with Cast.
Ashcroft took to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff at 7pm tonight (July 4), just over an hour before Oasis walked on stage together for the first time in 16 years.
“So glad to be here with the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band,” Ashcroft told the crowd, adding that he “loves Oasis” and that he was “proud to be here on this historic night”. He then went straight into opener ‘Sonnet’, from The Verve’s classic 1997 album ‘Urban Hymns’.
Richard Ashcroft played:
‘Sonnet’
‘Space And Time’
‘A Song For The Lovers’
‘Break The Night With Colour’
‘The Drugs Don’t Work’
‘Lucky Man’
‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’
Ashcroft has been linked with Oasis since the Manchester band’s early days, and served as the inspiration for their 1995 song ‘Cast No Shadow’. One of Liam and Noel’s first national tours was as the support act for The Verve back in 1993, ahead of their 1994 debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’.
In 1995, The Verve opened for Oasis at The Bataclan in Paris before featuring as special guests at Scotland’s Irvine Beach. Ashcroft later provided backing vocals on Oasis’ single ‘All Around The World’ from 1997’s ‘Be Here Now’.
Earlier this week, Ashcroft announced his seventh solo studio album ‘Lovin’ You’, his first new record since 2021’s ‘Acoustic Hymns, Vol. 1’. The album will be released on October 3 and you can pre-order it here. He had previously shared the record’s lead single ‘Lover’.
Speaking about his Oasis support slot when it was confirmed, Ashcroft said in a statement: “As a fan from day one I was buzzing for many reasons when the news of Oasis’ return was announced.
“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. It was the perfection of ‘Live Forever’ that forced me to try and write my own. They dared to be great, made the dreams we had real and I will always remember those days with joy.”
He concluded: “Now it’s time to create more memories and I’m ready to bring it. See you next summer. Music is power.”
Ashcroft also recently revealed that he told Noel Gallagher that he was “the only person” who could open for Oasis at their UK reunion shows.
