As the Rock era draws to a close, heroes are thinner on the ground. Unusually, Ashcroft has had two bites at the cherry, first as an Indy icon with the Verve, then after a period in the wilderness ,and a career pivoting stint supporting Oasis as a solo superstar. Stadiums and festivals are unforgiving places, intolerant of those that are merely filling in time before the main event. Ashcroft triumphed. Tonight I saw why.
Saturday night for a bank holiday weekend in Birmingham England’s second city and a 16000 sell out. No wonder as he came on he made his way to the front of the stage and took a minute to savour the atmosphere and occasion before blitzing the evening.
One thing he can never be accused of is modesty. Billed as Richard Ashcroft, not the Richard Ashcroft band, his initials are emblazoned in lights as the backdrop. He doesn’t introduce or name check his backing singers, the five piece string section, or band. This is him- and he pulls it off. No snazzy stage, no glitzy costumes. Just shades, jeans and t shirt and hoody for him.
What he did have was a killer set of songs, many stretched out, all improved for live performance. “Music is power” and “Break the night with Colour” became ten minute opuses. Two hours of compelling genius. “Hold on” was Springsteenesque in its call to arms cry.
Yes he does love the “all along the watchtower” chord changes ( weeping willow and others), and the lyrical nod to Reach out ill be There in Cmon people is shameless. But he gladly name checked Joan Armatrading for Lover and William Blake for the imperious History.
Wrexham’s the Royston Club held their own as the opening act with a sharp thirty minutes
Nailed on to headline the next Glastonbury.
Garyswordz 