Richard Ashcroft, the ex-frontman of The Verve, has been officially announced to accompany Oasis throughout their upcoming United Kingdom and Ireland gigs. The once iconic band, fronted by brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, recently announced their much-anticipated revival and global tour for 2025, delighting fans by declaring: “The fantastic anticipation has now ended.”
Ashcroft, famed for penning the 1997 classic ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’, expressed his elation, stating, “With the announcement of Oasis’s comeback, I, as an original fan, was buzzing for countless reasons.” He credited the band, specifically Noel’s songwriting prowess and Liam’s raw charisma as a lead vocalist, for spurring on some of his finest work. “Their brilliant piece ‘Live Forever’ compelled me to try my hand at songwriting,” he said.
“They were bold in their pursuit of greatness and brought our fantasies to life. Those times will always fill me with joy. Now the time has come to create new experiences, and I’m geared up for it. See you next summer. Music indeed is power.”
On Monday afternoon, official accounts for both Oasis and Ashcroft uploaded a video montage featuring historical clips of Ashcroft performing with the Gallagher brothers, set to the soundtrack of The Verve’s ‘Sonnet’. From the seminal 1995 album ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’, Noel, aged 57, devoted the track ‘Cast No Shadow’ to Ashcroft.
The Gallagher brothers are set to perform at Croke Park next summer. Further information about the supporting artists for the Oasis’ 2025 gigs in UK and Ireland – their only European stops – is expected to be disclosed in the foreseeable future.