As he prepares for a big summer touring the UK and Ireland as very special guest on the highly-anticipated Oasis reunion tour, Richard Ashcroft today shares the new single ‘Lover’. The track has just received its airplay premiere courtesy of Vernon Kay on Radio 2.
The track represents his first new material since his 2018 album ‘Natural Rebel’ debuted at #4 on the UK Official Album Chart. Since then, Richard also released the career-spanning ‘Acoustic Hymns Vol 1’ set, which hit #2 and became his highest charting record in fifteen years.
The song was written by Richard and,for the first time since his recording of ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’, incorporates elements of one of Richard’s favourite works: ‘Love and Affection’, written by Joan Armatrading. Joan was approached before recording and loved the arrangement. The track was produced by Richard and Emre Ramazanoglu.
Richard’s vision for an immersive project was realised with a mobile LED virtual production courtesy of CUBE StudioX. It matched the emotion of Richard’s songwriting and performance by surrounding him with striking visuals displayed on an 18 x 4 metre led volume in a large studio space. The video was co-produced by Roy Kimani, CUBE Studio’s co-founder and Director of Innovation.
‘Lover’ is the first new music to emerge from Richard as he continues work on his new studio album – expect more to follow soon.
A two-time Ivor Novello Award winner (Songwriter of the Year and Outstanding Contribution To British Music), Richard Ashcroft has become one of the most accomplished and influential songwriters around over the course of a career which spans three decades. His first chapter with The Verve reached a remarkable peak with ‘Urban Hymns’, a hit-laden set (‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’, ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’, ‘Lucky Man’, ‘Sonnet’) which is one of the biggest selling albums in UK history with 11 x Platinum certifications. The band achieved a second #1 album with ‘Forth’ and won three BRIT Awards.
His solo career continued that acclaim with his debut ‘Alone With Everybody’ shooting to #1 and all five subsequent studio albums landing between #2 and #5. Between The Verve and his solo work he has achieved three UK #1 albums and another five Top 10 records, plus a #1 single and five Top 10 hits.
News of Richard’s special guest set on the upcoming Oasis tour continues a long-term mutual admiration between the two. The Verve and Oasis played shows together both before Oasis’s breakthrough and at their absolute peak, leading to a continuing friendship between Richard and the Gallagher brothers. Noel dedicated ‘Cast No Shadow’ from ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’ to Richard, before Richard provided backing vocals on ‘All Around The World’ from 1997’s ‘Be Here Now’. In 2021 Liam featured on a reworked version of Richard’s C’mon People (We’re Making It Now)’.
Richard Ashcroft will play the following shows as special guest to Oasis. The line-up is completed by Cast.
JULY
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium (SOLD OUT)
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium (SOLD OUT)
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
16th – Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
25th – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
26th – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
30th – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
AUGUST
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)
12th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)
16th – Dublin, Croke Park (SOLD OUT)
17th – Dublin, Croke Park (SOLD OUT)
SEPTEMBER
27th – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
28th – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
This summer will also see Richard play select headline shows and festivals:
MAY
25th – Stevenage, SMR 2025 at Lamex Stadium
JUNE
7th and 8th -São Paulo, Blues & Rock Festival
19th – Oxfordshire, Nocturne Live at Blenheim Palace
27th – Newmarket, Racecourses
AUGUST
23rd – Cornwall, Live At Scorrier House
Follow Richard Ashcroft:
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