Review and Images by Jonathan Taylor

Instagram: jonathantaylorphotography

Out of the blue and perfectly timed as the final rays of sunshine vanish before the winter nights draw in, Richard Ashcroft announced two new shows taking place at The Royal Albert Hall in London and the second at The Civic Hall’s, Wolverhampton. On a wet, October Sunday evening, the midlands venue is at full capacity with an atmosphere that is more comparable with the start of the weekend rather than the back end before the start of another working week. Taking to the stage to the backing track ‘Cast No Shadow’, which was penned by Noel Gallagher about the Wigan born frontman, the crowd erupts in appreciation and Ashcroft rightly so relevels in the affection shown by the Wolverhampton crowd.

The set opens with an incredibly rare outing for ‘Life’s an Ocean’ taken from The Verve’s album ‘The Northern Soul’. Up next is ‘Sonnet’, one of The Verve’s most exemplary tracks from the album Urban Hymns. To have such an iconic musical offering so early in the set, is testament to the fact that over the decades, Ashcroft has woven a tapestry of fine musical invention.

There is a deviation from the planned set list after a crowd member bellows out a request for ‘Space in Time’, which is accommodated by Ashcroft and after a brief exchange with his fellow band mates, the crowd receive a seamless rendition of the classic.

Between tracks Ashcroft addresses the crowd and highlights his appreciation, so many had made the journey, in times of such financially vulnerability.

There is no respite from the evenings anthemic masterclass with the likes of ‘Song for the lovers’, ‘Break the Night with Colour’, ‘Velvet Morning’ and ‘Hold On’. ‘Drugs Don’t Work’ and ‘Lucky Man’ both confirm the importance of great song writing and power of live music and its capability to transcend an audience into a sense of solidarity and togetherness.

The encore opens with an acoustic version of C’mon People (We’re Making It Now), before which Ashcroft thanked both Gallagher brothers for the invitation to join them on the Oasis reunion tour next year. The penultimate track of the night was ‘They Don’t Own Me’, a standout track from his fifth studio album, ‘These People’ and the evening is brought to a close somewhat predictably by the string laden powerhouse that is ‘Bittersweet Symphony’.

Icons in music are very few and far between. But tonight, it was clear that Richard Ashcroft confirms yet again and continues to do so, that he is worthy of such an accolade. His music from over the decades is timeless, remains relevant in both lyrical and musical content and its ability to unite the generations was truly an incredible site to behold.

Full Set List:

Life’s an Ocean

Sonnet

Space In Time

Music Is Power

Velvet Morning

A song For The lovers

Break the Night with Colour

Hold On

Drugs Don’t Work

Lucky Man

Encore:

C’mon People (We’re Making It Now) (acoustic)

They Don’t Own Me

Bittersweet Symphony